Another son of Flightline sent the market soaring after bringing US$2.1 million at auction

The phenomenon surrounding champion Flightline continues to grow, and this time it was a colt offered at Timoniumwho stole the spotlight, in a sale that also debuted a revolutionary format eliminating official workout times during the under-tack previews

TIMONIUM, Maryland (Special to Turf Diario).- The impact of Flightline as a stallion is only beginning, but the market already appears fully convinced that it is dealing with a phenomenon. After the historic colt sold at OBS for US$10.5 million just weeks ago, it was now the turn of the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May Sale, where another son of the American champion ignited bidding frenzy and topped the opening session at US$2.1 million.

The colt in question was Hip No. 54, a New York-bred raised by Chester Broman out of champion Bar of Gold (Medaglia d’Oro), winner of the 2017 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1). The youngster was purchased by agent Pedro Lanz on behalf of KAS Stables.

“It’s not the first expensive horse I’ve bought, but it’s still a huge responsibility,” Lanz admitted after securing the colt. “The real celebration comes when they win races.”

Lanz openly acknowledged that the massive enthusiasm surrounding Flightline played a major role in the bidding war.

“The hype is real,” he said. “You keep hearing unbelievable comments coming out of Japan, everybody is excited. Then you see the Zedan colt bring US$10.5 million at OBS and you knew this one was also going to cost a fortune.”

The buyer also explained what impressed him most physically about the colt.

“He’s a very athletic horse, very balanced, with great legs and shoulders. And he moves beautifully.”

Consigned by Sequel Bloodstock, the colt had already generated enormous buzz before entering the ring thanks to a video released by the consignor that quickly went viral.

“We knew he was something special,” said Carlos Manresa, director of operations for Sequel. “People actually started coming directly to the farm to see him after that video.”

The pedigree certainly did not hurt either. In addition to being out of Bar of Gold, the colt is a half-brother to Coinage (Tapit), winner of the With Anticipation Stakes (G3). And Flightline, of course, is by Tapit himself...

The sale also marked a significant moment for Fasig-Tipton, which implemented for the first time a new format for its 2-year-old sales by eliminating official workout times and restricting whip use during the under-tack show.

The initiative had created uncertainty beforehand but ultimately received strong support from both buyers and consignors.

“The whole atmosphere felt completely different,” observed veteran consignor Niall Brennan. “There was less stress, and nobody was sitting there waiting for a horse to break down trying to go in nine seconds.”

Pedro Lanz also praised the changes.

“The most important thing is that there were no accidents,” he explained. “Now you have to work harder evaluating the horse’s action and how he moves, but to me that’s fantastic.”

Boyd Browning Jr., president of Fasig-Tipton, described the opening day as “very positive,” while also highlighting a substantial reduction in the RNA and withdrawal rates.

The colt’s sale further confirmed that the Flightline frenzy is only beginning. Lanz recalled that last year he also purchased another son of the superstar at Keeneland for US$400,000, and stated that feedback from training centers has been overwhelmingly positive.

“I truly believe Flightline is going to become an extraordinary stallion,” he concluded.

And judging by what continues happening in every sales ring, the market clearly shares that same vision.