Nyquist Colt Brings $1.2 Million at Keeneland

Hip 1686, a son of Nyquist consigned by Four Star Sales, was the first yearling through the ring to sell for seven figures Sept. 20 when bringing $1.2 million during the second session of Book 3 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale. The colt sold to Donato Lanni, agent for Front Row Club, Starlight, and Madaket. "The horse landed fair and squarely," said Tom Ryan of FRC. "He's obviously by a stallion everybody now respects in Nyquist. You're giving yourself a chance at creating a potential Kentucky sire down the road if he lives up to our expectations." The Nyquist colt became the highest-priced horse purchased by the partnership and the 17th overall through 2:00 p.m. of the sixth session. Ryan said what book a horse comes out of does not matter to him and his team. "It's a matter of having the patience and the team to identify them," Ryan said. "I remember we bought a Kentucky Derby winner (Authentic) as Hip 2616 many years ago. We're a long way away from that still." Authentic, a son of top sire Into Mischief, was purchased late in Book 4 for $350,000 by SF Bloodstock and Starlight West at the 2018 September Sale. His most notable wins came in the 2020 Haskell Stakes (G1), Kentucky Derby (G1), and Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). He retired with over $7 million in earnings. Ryan said he has noticed some of the heavy-hitter buyers staying through later books. "As they should," he said. "I think money is in different buckets these days, so it's not all individuals. A lot of it is collective syndicated money, and they have the buying power to work through Book 2, 3, 4 and 5." Hip 1686 was bred in Kentucky by Three Chimneys Farm and is out of the multiple stakes-winning Constitution mare Alexandria. The mare's first foal to race, Kilby Girl, a filly by Gun Runner, is a winner. She also has an unraced 2-year-old filly by Gun Runner. The colt is the eighth yearling by Nyquist to break the million-dollar mark at the September sale. The 2016 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner and 2015 Eclipse champion 2-year-old male stood the 2026 season at Darley near Lexington for an advertised fee of $175,000.