Clearsky-Bred Into Mischief Colt Jumps Up at $1.1M

A Clearsky Farms-bred and consigned Into Mischief   colt out of grade 3 winner Ever So Clever  was the first horse to hit seven figures on Day 3 of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale. West Point Thoroughbreds went to $1.1 million to add the yearling from the family of Foxy Danseur to their string of horses.

Terry Finley, West Point Thoroughbreds founder and president, signed for the purchase of Hip 521. He said other partners are likely to join in the colt's ownership.

Several partners are likely to have been involved in West Point Thorougbreds' buys from earlier in the sale, he said, adding that he also has "a couple other people that are a little late to the party. We'll figure it out and put all the pieces together. I'm sure the one that will be tied into that is Keeneland and the accounting department. We'll get it worked out."

Out of the graded-winning Medaglia d'Oro mare Ever So Clever, who took the 2017 Fantasy Stakes (G3) for Clearsky and Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen, Hip 521 is related to three other foals of racing age, including the promising 3-year-old Everso Mischievous , his full brother, who won a first-level allowance Aug. 5 at Saratoga Race Course for owner Qatar Racing and trainer Brad Cox. Everso Mischievous is 2-2-0 in four starts with earnings of $176,190.

Into Mischief is a four-time champion general sire who again leads the current 2023 progeny earnings standings. He stood this year for an advertised fee of $250,000 at Spendthrift Farm near Lexington.

Finely said he is eager to see how Hip 521 matures. The dark bay or brown yearling is younger than most of his counterparts at the sale, born June 1 of last year.

Watch: Finley Discusses the Purchase of Hip 521

"I made the analogy that he is a kindergartner on a playground of third graders," Finley said. "I'd love to see him in a couple of months and compare and contrast all of the babies here. He's really athletic, has a great mind, and I think he has a huge amount of upside."

In addition to Hip 521's purchase, West Point Thoroughbreds added two other acquisitions later on Wednesday with partner Talla Racing in purchases made with agent Lane's End Bloodstock. The first of these was Hip 540, a Gainesway-consigned son of Tapit   bought for $600,000, and the second was Hip 681, a Denali Stud-consigned Gun Runner   colt purchased for $675,000

Clearsky Farms, started in 2009 by late Irishman Eamon Cleary, is now operated by his sons, Bernard and Eamonn, and farm manager Barry Robinette. The farm bred 2017 Dubai World Cup (G1) winner Arrogate and that year the farm was the leader by progeny earnings and grade 1 earnings and the co-leader by number of grade 1 wins. Those achievements led to an Eclipse Award as outstanding breeder.