Sandman is Most Expensive Entrant in Kentucky Derby

The distinction of being the top-priced horse sold at public auction entered in the May 3 Kentucky Derby (G1) goes to Sandman, winner of the Arkansas Derby (G1). The son of Tapit , who is third choice on the morning line at 6-1, sold for $1.2 million at the 2024 Ocala Breeders' Sales March 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale to West Point Thoroughbreds, D.J. Stable, and CJ Stable.

Tom McCrocklin, who consigned the colt, said he was always a lovely, classy individual with a big pedigree. Sandman was a statistical outlier, galloping instead of breezing like the rest of the higher-priced horses at the 2-year-old sales.

"People ask me all the time, they say 'How'd you get $1.2 million for a colt that just galloped?'", said McCrocklin. "I said, 'He would've brought that as a yearling, he didn't have to breeze'. I think if he would've breezed he would have actually brought more. Obviously, he's talented.

"We're very proud of the horse. The biggest thing about being around that horse on a day-to-day basis was his class. Very, very classy. You can't really explain it or describe it until you're around them, and then they're just different. Just different."

Baeza, runner-up in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) behind morning-line Kentucky Derby favorite Journalism is currently on the outside looking in as an also-eligible entrant at No. 21. The son of McKinzie  is a half brother to 2023 Kentucky Derby winner Mage  and 2024 Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Dornorch. Should he draw into the field, he will be the co-highest priced horse in the field, as he also sold for $1.2 million at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale to Mayberry Farm.

There is precedent for seven-figure horses reigning on the first Saturday in May. The highest-priced Derby winner sold at public auction came in 2000 when Fusaichi Pegasus, who was purchased for $4 million at the 1998 Keeneland July Sale, prevailed in the 10-furlong classic.

Sandman was bred in Kentucky by Lothenbach Stables and was sold as part of a dispersal after Bob Lothenbach's death. Lothenbach purchased his dam Distorted Music as a yearling at the 2011 Keeneland September Sale for $190,000.

Sandman was the fourth foal out of the mare with her most accomplished offspring prior to him being graded stakes winner She Can't Sing, an 8-year-old mare by Bernardini who earned $883,558 on the track. Her most recent foal, a 2-year-old colt by Into Mischief , brought $1 million at Fasig-Tipton's 2024 The Saratoga Sale from M.V. Magnier and White Birch Farm.

Sandman has hit the board in six of his eight starts for trainer Mark Casse, earning $1,254,595. Prior to his win in the Arkansas Derby, he was second in the Southwest Stakes (G3) and third in the Rebel Stakes (G2) behind Coal Battle.

McCrocklin said you can never expect a horse to be at the top of the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, but did expect him to be a high-quality horse.

"I thought he was an elite 2-year-old prospect," he said. "And, he's proven to be right.

"He's proven he can eat dirt. He's certainly proven he's got stamina. So, I think he's got a big chance. But, anybody that wins the Kentucky Derby, you've gotta get lucky."