Sandman is Most Expensive Entrant in Kentucky Derby

The distinction of being the top-priced horse sold at public auction entered in the May 3 Kentucky Derby (G1) goes to Sandman , winner of the Arkansas Derby (G1). The son of Tapit  , who is third choice on the morning line at 6-1, sold for $1.2 million at the 2024 Ocala Breeders' Sales March 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale to West Point Thoroughbreds, D.J. Stable, and CJ Stable.

Tom McCrocklin, who consigned the colt, said he was always a lovely, classy individual with a big pedigree. Sandman was a statistical outlier, galloping instead of breezing like the rest of the higher-priced horses at the 2-year-old sales.

"People ask me all the time, they say 'How'd you get $1.2 million for a colt that just galloped?'", said McCrocklin. "I said, 'He would've brought that as a yearling, he didn't have to breeze'. I think if he would've breezed he would have actually brought more. Obviously, he's talented.

"We're very proud of the horse. The biggest thing about being around that horse on a day-to-day basis was his class. Very, very classy. You can't really explain it or describe it until you're around them, and then they're just different. Just different."

Baeza , runner-up in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) behind morning-line Kentucky Derby favorite Journalism  is currently on the outside looking in as an also-eligible entrant at No. 21. The son of McKinzie   is a half brother to 2023 Kentucky Derby winner Mage   and 2024 Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Dornorch. Should he draw into the field, he will be the co-highest priced horse in the field, as he also sold for $1.2 million at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale to Mayberry Farm.

There is precedent for seven-figure horses reigning on the first Saturday in May. The highest-priced Derby winner sold at public auction came in 2000 when Fusaichi Pegasus, who was purchased for $4 million at the 1998 Keeneland July Sale, prevailed in the 10-furlong classic.

Sandman was bred in Kentucky by Lothenbach Stables and was sold as part of a dispersal after Bob Lothenbach's death. Lothenbach purchased his dam Distorted Music  as a yearling at the 2011 Keeneland September Sale for $190,000.

Sandman was the fourth foal out of the mare with her most accomplished offspring prior to him being graded stakes winner She Can't Sing , an 8-year-old mare by Bernardini who earned $883,558 on the track. Her most recent foal, a 2-year-old colt by Into Mischief  , brought $1 million at Fasig-Tipton's 2024 The Saratoga Sale from M.V. Magnier and White Birch Farm.

Sandman has hit the board in six of his eight starts for trainer Mark Casse, earning $1,254,595. Prior to his win in the Arkansas Derby, he was second in the Southwest Stakes (G3) and third in the Rebel Stakes (G2) behind Coal Battle .

McCrocklin said you can never expect a horse to be at the top of the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, but did expect him to be a high-quality horse.

"I thought he was an elite 2-year-old prospect," he said. "And, he's proven to be right.

"He's proven he can eat dirt. He's certainly proven he's got stamina. So, I think he's got a big chance. But, anybody that wins the Kentucky Derby, you've gotta get lucky."