Hartley/DeRenzo to $450,000 for American Pharoah Filly

As the only yearling by American Pharoah  in the New York-Bred Preferred Yearlings Sale, a filly sired by the Triple Crown winner lit up the bid board early during the Aug. 11 first session of the auction, going to Hartley/DeRenzo for $450,000.

Bred in New York by Joanne Nielsen of Sunnyfield Farm, the filly consigned as Hip 329 by Summerfield was produced from the Distorted Humor  mare Visions of Annette and is from the female family of grade 1 winners General Challenge and Evening Jewel.

At The Saratoga Sale held earlier this week, an American Pharoah colt bred by Nielsen and consigned by Summerfield was bought by Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert on behalf of M. V. Magnier for $1 million.

Randy Hartley said he and Dean DeRenzo had several horses on their shortlist for the sale's first session but that the filly was at the top.

"This is the one we really wanted," Hartley said, adding the filly will be pinhooked to be resold later. "There is so much upside."

Hartley said while the price tag was hefty, at the end of the day the transaction may look like a bargain.

"You always hope to get a bargain, but for me, I think at the end of the day, I think this will end up being like a bargain for one of his. His babies are looking fantastic," Hartley said of the appeal of foals from American Pharoah's first crop. "I just think he was one of the greatest racehorses I've ever seen."

Francis Vanlangendonck said he and Nielsen were pleased with the filly's price.

"That exceeded all expectations," the consignor said. "With clients like her that give you good horses to sell, it makes it easy. This filly was athletic and had a great walk. These guys know a good horse when they see one, and she fit the part."

Teresa Genaro contributed to this story.