An Into Mischief colt (Hip 242) and half brother to grade 1 winner and sire Mo Town became the ongoing Keeneland September Yearling Sale's new topper when Coolmore's M.V. Magnier and Peter Brant's White Birch Farm went to $3.7 million during the sale's second session Sept. 15.
"He has the pedigree. He has everything," Magnier said of Hip 242. "It's clearly a lot of money for any yearling. The sale is so strong now, and business is going well here. When a horse ticks the right boxes, I suppose they should be entitled to make their money."
John Gunther and his daughter Tanya Gunther's Eurowest Bloodstock bred the colt out of the Bernardini winner Grazie Mille, the dam of Mo Town (Uncle Mo) and graded-placed stakes winner Justique (Justify ). The colt was sold through the Gunthers' Glennwood Farm consignment.
"He was a very nice horse, and Into Mischief, clearly, he's a very good stallion," Magnier said. "All the lads really liked the horse a lot. He's very well bred, and in fairness to John and Tanya Gunther, they're very big supporters of ours. We're just glad to give something back, and they're great breeders. They do an incredible job.
"They're very happy with the horse and you have to listen to them. They're one of the best breeders in the country and it's just great to give them something back because they're great supporters of ours."
John Gunther bred 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify, who currently stands at Coolmore's Ashford Stud near Versailles, Ky.
Magnier said the colt will stay in the United States, and a trainer has yet to be determined.
John Gunther offered deep gratitude to the team at Glennwood Farm, crediting them for being able to produce high-caliber yearlings.
"My heart's still pounding, and I just have to thank the team at Glennwood for what's happened. I can't thank them enough," Gunther said. "I mean, we're so lucky. Unbelievable.
"Tanya plans all the matings. She works 24/7, and she comes to the farm and works with them walking yearlings. The whole team puts a tremendous amount of effort into it."
Gunther said Hip 242 had always commanded a lot of attention and he had high hopes coming into the sale.
"He was just a big, strong colt, tremendous walk, a great presence about him," Gunther said. "I've never had so much vet work done on a yearling, ever. Everybody loved this colt.
Gunther said the price exceeded his expectations, though he thought the colt could get into the $2 million-$3 million range.
"He's in good hands now," he said. "They mentioned he's going to stay in the U.S. and race here so that makes me feel really good as well."
