California Diamond Shines in Paddock Sale

California Chrome   and California Diamond were the stars of the Barretts paddock sale July 23, held immediately after the races at Del Mar. California Diamond topped the sale at $125,000, while California Chrome memorabilia from his San Diego Handicap (gr. II) victory earlier in the day raised $20,000 for the V Foundation.

Jockey Victor Espinoza came out to the Del Mar paddock still clad in the silks in which he piloted California Chrome to a game victory over Dortmund in the San Diego. The silks were part of a package that included the horse's halter and his shoes donated by California Chrome's owners to raise money for cancer research.

BALAN: 'Chrome' Edges Dortmund in Del Mar Battle

Mark Stanton, a horseplayer from Cherry Hill, N.J., in town for Del Mar's handicapping tournament, bought the package.

"I love the horse," said Stanton. "But my mom, Ellen, died of breast cancer, and so when I found out that this was being auction to benefit the V Foundation, I said, 'I'm not going to stop bidding.'"

Mike Stinson, a partner in California Chrome from Fort Worth, was the underbidder on the California Chrome package. Immediately after the purchase, Espinoza took off the silks and handed them to Stanton. Owners Perry and Denise Martin and Duncan and Frank Taylor came up to Stinson to congratulate him and thank him for supporting the cause.

California Diamond, winner of this year's Santa Anita Juvenile Stakes, topped the sale. Rafael Becerra Jr. purchased the California-bred 2-year-old colt on behalf of Gary Hartunian's Rockingham Ranch. Havens Bloodstock Agency consigned the son of Harbor the Gold—Carries a Jewel, by Slewdledo.

"I saw his first start, when he broke his maiden," said Becerra. "He was a little bit green, but he broke his maiden in fast time. Then he won the Juvenile, and I think he still has more potential and upside."

Stormy Hull bred California Diamond, and John Brocklebank trained him to his Juvenile victory for Twin V Farm.

Trainer Jeff Bonde purchased a 2-year-old Kentucky-bred daughter of Stay Thirsty—Chitka, by Jade Hunter, for $82,000. Kim McCarthy's McCarthy Bloodstock sold the unraced filly.

The paddock sale was being held for the fifth time and was originally begun to help Del Mar bring in horses from out of state as part of its Ship & Win program. This year, seven horses grossed $296,000 and averaged $42,286, with most of the 22 horses cataloged not reaching their reserves. In 2015, 19 horses grossed $728,500 for a $38,342 average.