Constitution clearly left his mark on Book 1 of the Keeneland September Sale. During the sale’s second session on Tuesday, Sept. 13, the perennial leading sire was represented by the top two colts, including the $1.8 million session topper.
Hip 311, a bay colt by Constitution, topped the second session, selling to Dana Bernhard for $1.8 million. Consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent, and bred by CHC Inc., the Kentucky-bred colt is produced from the Grade 1-winning Empire Maker mare Last Full Measure and is a half-brother to Spinster Stakes (G1) winner Valiance, a daughter of Tapit. This is also the family of multiple Grade 1 winner and millionaire Lazy Slusan.
“He’s one of the best colts we’ve seen in this crop,” said Mark Taylor of Taylor Made. “He’s beautifully bred. The blood is there. He looks like a Derby horse; a lot of presence, a big walk, a lot of substance. Very strong. We’re just fortunate to have him. Congratulations to China Horse Club; they bred a beautiful horse. I think Constitution is on his way to the top. (The yearling) is a great representation of the stallion. He brought a bunch of money, which he deserved to.”
The third-highest priced horse of the session and the second-highest priced colt also exited the auction ring after reaching the seven-figure mark. Hip 192, a colt out of the multiple graded stakes winner Cozze Up Lady, by Cozzene, commanded $1.3 million from Richard Knight Bloodstock, agent.
Bred in Kentucky by CHC Inc., the colt, who was consigned by Highgate Sales, agent, is a half-brother to Grade 1 winner Kimari, winner of the Madison Stakes (G1) at Keeneland.
“He was absolutely my pick coming in here,” Knight said of Hip 192. “I loved him from the moment I saw him. I thought he was everything we came here to look for. We came to look for a really smart horse. He has pedigree (and) is by a great stallion. Gorgeous-looking horse. Delighted to get him.”
Hip 276, a colt produced from the Candy Ride (ARG) mare High Performer, fetched $825,000 from the partnership of Talla Racing, West Point Thoroughbreds, and L.E.B. The colt, who hails from the family of Grade 1 winner and millionaire Wicked Strong, was bred in Kentucky by Nursery Place, Donaldson, and Broadbent.
Constitution’s top sellers on Monday included a $750,000 filly—Hip 134—who sold to Shadwell Farm from the consignment of Taylor Made Sales, and Hip 121, a colt consigned by Denali Stud, agent for WinStar Farm Bred and Raised who sold for $725,000 to Michael Wallace, agent for St. Elias Stable.
