Ryan to $1 Million for Curlin Colt

A chestnut Curlin   colt was bought  by Mike Ryan, agent for E5 Racing, for $1 million during the fourth session of the Keeneland September yearling sale.

Bred in Kentucky by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings, the March 1 foaled colt out of multiple stakes-winning Hard Spun   mare Glinda the Good was consigned  by Hill ‘n’ Dales Agency, agent for Stonestreet Bred and Raised.

The last time there was a seven-figure horse during Book 2 was in 2011.

“He's as good a Curlin as you'll see,” said Ryan, who was part of the group that bought Curlin’s son, Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Palace Malice. “Curlin is Curlin. In my mind, he's as good as Tapit."

Although there has been a tailoff in prices as the sale enters Book 2 after a gangbuster Book 1 from Monday through Wednesday, Ryan said there are still plenty of buyers of quality stock.

“On a horse of this caliber ... you know, there is a lot of money still here," he said. "The big players are still here. This horse would have brought this kind of money in Book 1. He stood out. I saw him on the farm and I loved him.”

Ryan said E5 Racing, which has been in the horse business for two years, is based in Florida.

“They run in New York and want to compete at the highest level,” the agent said.

Earlier in the session, Ryan went to $520,000 to buy a Paynter colt on behalf of E5 and Magic Cap.

Stonestreet bred Glinda the Good and offered her as a yearling at the 2010 Keeneland yearling sale. Bought back for $200,000 after failing to attain her reserve, the filly won two stakes and earned $226,758. Glinda the Good is a half sister to five stakes winners, including grade III winner Take the Ribbon.

Evan Hammonds contributed to this story.