A son of champion Nyquist began the opening fireworks Sept. 16 by selling for $1.75 million during the third day of the ongoing Keeneland September Yearling Sale. RTM Racing purchased the Claiborne Farm-bred and -consigned colt (Hip 415).
The bay colt is the third foal from the unplaced Bernardini mare Sibaaq, a full sister of Takaful, winner of the 2017 Vosburgh Stakes (G1). Sibaaq is also a half sister to Haikal (Daaher), who captured the 2019 Gotham Stakes (G3). Both Haikal and Takaful raced for Shadwell Stable.
"He's an unbelievable colt," Claiborne Farm president Walker Hancock said. "I actually found a picture of Nysos earlier this summer, and it looked just like him. With the success of the Nyquist over the Bernardini cross, we had a feeling he was going to sell very well."
Nyquist has proven to nick very well with Bernardini mares, producing six graded stakes winners including Metropolitan Handicap (G1) winner Nysos , 2024 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) winner Immersive, and this year's Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) winner Knightsbridge. Through Sept. 16, Bernardini is the leading broodmare sire in North America by progeny earnings.
Nyquist, the 2016 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner, stood the 2026 season for an advertised fee of $175,000 at Darley near Lexington.
"He was born and raised on the farm," Hancock said of Hip 415. "He's been a great foal since birth. Great-moving colt, really strong, big family, we're very happy."
Hip 415 comes from a young family. Sibaaq's lone starter, Point Guard (Street Sense ), finished sixth in his lone start this year as a 3-year-old. Sibaaq's current 2-year-old, Uncontested (Munnings ), has not yet raced.
Hancock said he knew the colt would sell well, but it's hard to predict that type of price.
"I knew he was going to sell well; I didn't know where he would end up," Hancock said. "But he was an unbelievable physical, great pedigree, so when you, cliche, 'check all the boxes,' that's what happens.
"It's been unbelievable. When you bring a colt like that of that quality up there, you can expect to get a lot of money, but obviously you never expect to get that kind of money. Very pleased with the team; they did a great job."
RTM Racing has purchased four horses, plus one in partnership, during the sale so far including the Session 1 topper, Hip 84, a colt by Gun Runner out of the Into Mischief mare Twenty Carat, for $2.8 million.
READ: Gun Runner Colt Tops Strong Keeneland September Opener
RTM Racing teamed up with Mandy Pope's Whisper Hill Farm on Tuesday for Hip 303, a son of Nyquist out of the Liam's Map mare Liam's Promenade who is a half sister to Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings' grade 1 winner and producer Cavorting.
