Upstart Weanling a Book 3 Standout at $195,000

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Upstart Weanling a Book 3 Standout at $195,000
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Photo: Keeneland Photo
An Upstart weanling colt consigned as Hip 1256 brings $195,000 during Book 3 of the Keeneland November Sale

A standout weanling from the first crop of Airdrie Stud stallion Upstart  struck a final bid of $195,000 during Book 3 of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale Nov. 8.

The sleek dark bay or brown colt was consigned by Select Sales as Hip 1256 for his breeders: Tommy Wente Jr.'s St. Simon Place and Scott Stephens. The ticket was signed by Brian Graves under the Clear Ridge Stables name. Pinhooker Nick de Meric was the underbidder.

The colt is the third foal out of stakes-placed Joyous Music, by Bellamy Road .

"The horse was foaled at St. Simon Place and was special from the start," said Carrie Brogden of Select Sales. "I would go to the farm every two months, and he was incredible the second month, he was incredible the fourth month, he was just one of those horses that when you walk into a field and there's 15 foals, you'd say, 'Who is that?' You can't breed for that. It just happens."

Upstart, a son of Flatter  who stood his first year at stud in 2017, was second in the 2014 Champagne Stakes (G1) and third in that year's Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1). At 3, he won the Lambholm South Holy Bull Stakes (G2) and placed in the Besilu Stables Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) and Besilu Stables Florida Derby (G1) to earn a start in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands. As a 4-year-old, he placed third in both the Mohegan Sun Metropolitan Handicap (G1) and the Whitney Stakes (G1) prior to his retirement.