Charlatan's First Yearlings to Launch at Saratoga Sale

Hill 'n' Dale Farms at Xalapa's first-crop yearling sire Charlatan has, as of Aug. 2, the greatest representation among his sire class peers at Fasig-Tipton's The Saratoga Sale, its boutique sale Aug. 5-6 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. The multiple grade 1-winning son of Speightstown will be represented by eight yearlings that include five colts and three fillies. They were bred on a $50,000 stud fee—the sire class's second-highest behind Darley Stallions' Essential Quality at $75,000—and hail from an extraordinarily high-quality first book of mares. Book quality is assessed using two metrics: the Comparable Index and the Class Performance Index. The CI is an earnings-based ratio similar to the Average Earnings Index but instead looks at the average earnings of the runners by other stallions that are out of the same mares bred to Charlatan. The CPI indicates the racing quality of the mares as a ratio comparing the mares' collective average earnings with all other runners of the same sex running in the same country during the same years. The first mares bred to Charlatan led the freshman class in both categories with a 3.09 CI and a 5.34 CPI. By comparison, Essential Quality's first book ranks second with a 2.64 CI and a 3.50 CPI. One of the mares contributing to Charlatan's robust CI is Goldfield, a daughter of Yes It's True and the dam of 2018 Champagne Stakes (G1) winner Complexity and grade 1-placed, grade 3 winner Valadorna, who won the 2018 Doubledogdare Stakes (G3) and was second in the 2016 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1). Goldfield produced a chestnut colt by Charlatan who is among The Saratoga Sale entries and the timing for this offering could not be much better. Bred by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings (which also bred Charlatan out of the grade 1-placed, grade 2 winner Authenticity), the Saratoga colt (Hip 57) is now a half brother to the current leading North American freshman sire. Complexity, who stands at Airdrie Stud, leads the freshman class by progeny earnings ($833,873), by number of black-type stakes winners (three), and is the only freshman sire with graded stakes winners—he has two—as of Aug. 2. Complexity's graded stakes winners are Sanford Stakes (G3) winner Mo Plex and Black Forza, who won the Richmond Stakes (G2) at Goodwood. "He is a really lovely colt who looks like Charlatan, carrying many of his same characteristics. He is a smooth individual with a good mind who is correct and walks well," said Hunter Simms, partner and director of bloodstock services at Warrendale Sales, which is consigning Hip 57 on behalf of Stonestreet. "We are very excited to offer him with the way Complexity is going, both here and in Europe. He had a grade 2 winner recently and they are offering a share in him at this sale. It really highlights the pedigree but people will be excited about the individual as well." Airdrie is selling a share in Complexity at the start of the Saratoga sale's second session Aug. 6. The son of Maclean's Music stood for $12,500 this year. He has been represented by seven 2-year-olds that sold for more than $200,000, topped by a $740,000 colt named Mensa who sold through Fasig-Tipton Digital's Mensa Flash Sale in April to Resolute Bloodstock. The other Charlatan yearlings being offered during the Saratoga sale include: Hip 2, c. out of Call Me Candy (Candy Ride (ARG)), a half sister to graded stakes winners Bellera and Life Imitates Art. Consigned by Indian Creek, agent. Hip 16, f. first foal out of stakes-placed winner Compensate (Liam's Map). Consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency for Ann Mudge Backer/Smitten Farm. Hip 28, c. out of stakes-placed winner Diamond Ore (Tapit), a half sister to 2016 champion 3-year-old colt Arrogate. Consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency. Hip 64, f. out of Hot Water (Medaglia d'Oro), dam of grade 3 winners Scalding and Hot and Sultry, and graded-placed stakes winners Hot Beach and Tracksmith. Consigned by Bluewater Sales. Hip 91, c. out of stakes winner Miss Hollywood (Malibu Moon), a daughter of multiple grade 1 winner and producer Hollywood Story. Consigned by Summerfield, agent. Hip 184, f. out of multiple stakes winner Swingit (Victory Gallop), the dam of grade 1-placed, grade 2 winner Travel Column. Consigned by Denali Stud, agent for Bayne and Christina Welker. Hip 238, c. out of Brandons Danger (Into Mischief), a half sister to grade 3-placed stakes winner Wyatt's Town and whose second dam is multiple grade 1-placed, grade 2 winner Lu Ravi. Consigned by C & S Thoroughbreds, agent. Charlatan had a brief but brilliant racing career. From five starts, he won the 2020 Arkansas Derby (G1) and Malibu Stakes (G1), and was runner-up in the 2021 Saudi Cup. He retired with more than $4 million in earnings. "We try to be confined in our enthusiasm because you have to get them to market and people have to like them, but in every respect he has been a buzz horse," said John Sikura with Hill 'n' Dale about Charlatan. "With what he has accomplished so far—on the racetrack, with number of mares bred, and response so far to his foals—I think he'll be a sought-after horse. We are excited about watching them first sell at Saratoga and then building upon the enthusiasm and momentum on into Keeneland in September."