A colt (Hip 676) by Into Mischief from the renowned Dixiana Farms lit up the bid board during the second session of the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October Yearlings Sale Oct. 20. Mahmud Mouni stood his ground through a fierce bidding duel, securing the yearling with a final bid of $800,000.
Mouni, who signed the ticket under RTM Racing, said the colt was bought for Tagermeen Racing, a group of Libya-based owners.
"He was one of the best horses in the sale in my opinion," Mouni said. "The horse is amazing, gorgeous. He's by Into Mischief, who is a superstar and a horse we like."
The colt is out of the stakes-winning and graded stakes-placed English Channel mare Brielle's Appeal. Hip 676 hails from the immediate family of grade 1 winner and sire Charlatan .
Mouni said he was not surprised by the price of the colt, and they had guessed he would bring somewhere between $500,000-$700,000. He confirmed the colt will head to Randy Miles' farm near Ocala, Fla., for the early breaking process. A trainer has not yet been decided.
"We are so lucky to get this horse," Mouni said. "I think if this horse was in Saratoga or (Keeneland) September, it would be $1.5-2 million. It's been less competitive here, less people. This is the opportunity."
Dixiana Farms' farm manager Robert Tillyer said they had high expectations for Hip 676, who was originally slated to sell during Book 1 of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Tillyer said a gravel in the colt's right front foot kept him from the September sale, so they had to change their plans to sell in October.
"We were a little worried that maybe he wouldn't see the true potential he would have in Book 1, that maybe not all the buyers are here, but we hoped that maybe he would top the sale. We've still got two more days to go, but we're really happy with the price."
Tillyer said after talking with his peers, it seems a lot of people are shopping for bargains and a lot of people are not quite getting what they want for their horse.
"There's a lot of nice horses here. It was nice to bring a good one over here," Tillyer said. "We're bringing the dam of Fionn (Gaelic Gold) over here in the Night of the Stars Sale next month, so that's exciting. She sells five hips after Fionn, so I hope there's a lot of momentum of what's to come."
Multiple graded stakes winner and earner of more than $2 million, Fionn, was bred by Dixiana Farms and is currently a top contender for the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1T) Oct. 31 at Keeneland. Michael Lee and George Messina purchased the Twirling Candy filly for a bargain $75,000 at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale from Dixiana Farms. She is entered in Fasig-Tipton's November Sale as Hip 191 with ELiTE as agent.
Dixiana will offer Fionn's dam, Gaelic Gold, in foal to leading third-crop sire Vekoma . She is cataloged as Hip 196.
Dixiana will also participate in the Breeders' Cup as an owner, with their filly Lush Lips. The daughter of Ten Sovereigns is expected to be cross-entered in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf and the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T).
Earlier in the day, RTM Racing secured a Gun Runner colt (Hip 492) for $385,000. The colt was bred in Kentucky by Blackstone Farm and consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency.
Hip 492 is out of the stakes-placed Gemologist mare Wrong Color, who is a half sister to multiple graded stakes winner and millionaire Tom's Ready. The colt went through the ring at Keeneland's September Yearling Sale last month, where he failed to meet his reserve, bringing a final bid of $325,000.
Mouni said the future plans include buying weanlings and possibly mares at the upcoming November sales at Fasig-Tipton and Keeneland.
