The commercial Thoroughbred marketplace is constantly on the hunt for crosses that are most likely to produce windfalls in the sales ring and runners on the track.
On the auction side, buyers gravitated toward the cross between perennial leading sire Into Mischief and daughters of Ghostzapper during Monday's opening session of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, with the cross accounting for two of the top 12 prices on the day and three of the top 30. No other cross got more than two yearlings in the top 30 during Monday's session.
That charge was led by Hip 145, the first foal out of multiple Grade 1 winner Guarana, who sold to Winchell Thoroughbreds for $1.4 million. Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa, agent, consigned the colt, who hails from the family of Breeders' Cup Distaff winner Pleasant Home.
Not far behind was Hip 110, a colt out of stakes winner Enchanted Ghost who hammered to the group of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Walmac Farm, Bridlewood Farm, and Robert LaPenta for $850,000. Taylor Made Sales Agency consigned the colt as agent for Aaron and Marie Jones.
Rounding out the trio was Hip 19, a filly out of Grade 2-placed American Story who went to Nice Guys Stables for $575,000. Hill 'n' Dale also consigned this half-sister to Grade 1 winner American Gal.
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If you appreciate our work, you can support us by subscribing to our Patreon stream. Learn more.Into Mischief is firmly North America's leading sire on both the racing and commercial fronts. He safely leads the North American general sire list by progeny earnings in his bid for a fifth straight year on top in 2023, and five of the eight horses that sold for seven figures on Monday were sired by the cornerstone of the Spendthrift Farm roster.
Ghostzapper's bona fides as a broodmare sire are rock-solid, best displayed as the sire of Triple Crown winner Justify's dam, Stage Magic. Other notable runners on Ghostzapper's broodmare sire record include champion sprinter Drefong, and Grade 1 winners including American Gal, Up to the Mark, and Silent Poet.
Despite the high-level success in their respective fields, the cross between Into Mischief and Ghostzapper has yet to produce a black type-earning runner.
However, the cross hasn't had many opportunities to prove itself. Eight foals of racing age have been produced from the Into Mischief/Ghostzapper cross, with two winners from four starters. With both sires becoming more and more prolific in those columns, one would expect the chances to race and win to grow.
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