Gun Runner Strikes Again, Colt Sells for $1.9M

Coolmore's M.V. Magnier and Peter Brant's White Birch Farm gave Gun Runner   his second seven-figure yearling Aug. 6 during Fasig-Tipton's The Saratoga Sale second session. Lane's End consigned the colt (Hip 146), named Paladin, on behalf of breeder Summer Wind Equine. 

Summer Wind Equine bred the colt out of Secret Sigh, a daughter of grade 2 winner and grade 1 producer India, the dam of 2018 Yasuda Kinen (G1) winner Mozu Ascot  and stakes winner Kareena .

Magnier and Brant are hoping lightning strikes twice with Hip 146. They bought Sierra Leone , winner of the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) and runner-up in the Kentucky Derby (G1) at this sale two years ago. 

Gun Runner, an 11-year-old son of Candy Ride  , is a dual Eclipse champion and new inductee into the Hall of Fame. He has sired 11 grade 1 winners and 13 millionaires. Some of his other top progeny this year include Derby City Distaff Stakes (G1) winner Vahva  and Gun Pilot , winner of the Churchill Downs Stakes (G1).

"It's all about a classic horse, it's all about a mile, a mile and a quarter. That's the way we see it in Europe as well," said Magnier. "It's all about the Kentucky Derby, that's what all these guys want to try and win. Derrick Smith, ever since Sierra Leone got beat in the Derby, that's all he wants to do." 

Magnier said the plan at the moment was to send the chestnut colt to Chad Brown, but for now will send him to Ashford Stud near Versailles, Ky.

"Honestly, he (Hip 146) surpassed our expectations," said Allaire Ryan of Lane's End. "We knew that we had a top-quality horse here, but it's impossible to predict what they'll actually bring at a sale like this.

"You can't help but be thrilled for both the seller and the buyer in a situation like this, it's an exciting opportunity. (Summer Wind's) Jane Lyon, who has put so much into her broodmare band and her breeding operation, to end up in the hands of Coolmore and Peter Brant, it's just a dream, right?"

Ryan said the market was strong throughout the two-day sale. 

"I think we've been the busiest we've ever been in Saratoga before, and that has to be a reflection of the sale company's efforts and the consignors' efforts, too," she said. "If you have physical quality to offer, you're going to be rewarded for it. That's just how it feels out there."