A US$1.35 million Into Mischief colt topped a trio of purchases by Ron Winchell of Winchell Thoroughbreds at the Sept. 13 opening session of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale. The buyer's top purchase, Hip 177, was the second son of Spendthrift Farm's two-time leading sire Winchell purchased Monday.
"He's probably an Into Mischief that doesn't look like an Into Mischief, and I've had Into Mischiefs that look like Into Mischiefs and I can't seem to find the winner's circle with them, so I figured I would go a different direction," Winchell said of the seven-figure colt.
Sunday was the first time that Winchell had laid eyes on Hip 177.
"I knew he'd be expensive, but you always hope for a little less," he said, noting that Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen would train the colt.
Hip 177 was bred in Kentucky by Mt. Brilliant Farm & Ranch and is the first foal out of the Irish-bred Hard Spun mare Superioritycomplex. He was also consigned to the sale by Mt. Brilliant Farm.
"Into Mischief is great. We bought the mare in Europe, in England, at Tattersalls a few years ago. We just love the family. We also bought her sister at the same time because it was a dispersal," said Mt. Brilliant's Greg Goodman.
"He has always been outstanding," Goodman added of Hip 177. "He's always done everything right. He's a calm horse, he's smart. We're really happy with him, and we're really happy Mr. Winchell got him and that he's going to a good home."
Superioritycomplex was purchased for Mt. Brilliant by agent Marette Farrell for the equivalent of $566,076 at the 2017 Tattersalls December Mares Sale, where she was offered by The Castlebridge Consignment. She is from the female family of Yorkshire Oaks (G1) winners Hellenic and Islington, the latter of whom also won the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T), as well as group 1 winner Greek Dance.
