The offspring of Maxfield stole the show during a tremendous Venta Selección for Haras Firmamento

The first crop of the outstanding stallion to reach the sales ring was met with tremendous demand and produced the highest prices, led by Mad Max

It had been a long time since the first crop of a stallion generated as much anticipation upon reaching the sales ring as happened Tuesday around the remarkable Maxfield during the Haras Firmamento Venta Selección.

When the final balance was drawn, the expectations found a perfect reflection under the hammer of Antonio Bullrich SA. at the San Isidro Tattersall, with the youngsters on offer commanding excellent prices throughout the sale.

By Street Sense, a dual Grade 1 winner in the United States, blessed with an outstanding female family and a stunning physical presence, Maxfield appears to have all the ingredients necessary to become one of the major revelations once his Argentine-bred first crop of 2024 reaches the racetrack. Those are the first of only two crops he left in the country. Not surprisingly, at Darley America, where he stands, his stud fee climbed to US$50,000 for the current season, already backed by impressive results from his runners abroad.

With many of the offerings purchased for export to countries such as Peru, Chile, and Uruguay, the highest price of the day belonged to the sale-topping colt Max Mad, by Maxfield.

Foaled August 6, the chestnut is another offspring of G1 winner Locasa Nistel (Van Nistelrooy), herself already an accomplished producer thanks to runners such as G3 winner Beatle Francés (Super Saver) and four additional winners, including Charrúa Saver (Super Saver), fourth in the Martínez (G3). After an extended bidding duel, Max Mad reached US$85,000, with Stud La Rosaura landing the final bid.

The same buyer also secured Max Wave, another son of Maxfield, foaled August 23. He is the second produce out of the outstanding Reina de Mollendo (Mastercraftsman), winner of four races in Peru including the prestigious Clásico Pamplona (G1). In his case, the hammer fell at US$82,000.

Completing the top three prices was Max Day, also by the Darley stallion. Out of Day Splendid (Harlan’s Holiday), a maternal sister to this year’s Clásico Congreve (L) winner Enter the Club (The Great Day)—sadly already retired—and descending from the exceptional Esnaola (Ringaro) family, he was purchased by Sebastián Morgan, acting as agent, for US$68,000.

Also standing out were Te Adora Max (Maxfield x Te Adora Holiday, by Harlan’s Holiday) and Max Curioso (Maxfield x Curiosa Glory, by Honour and Glory).

The former, a maternal brother to G1 winner Holy Joy (Fortify) and stakes winner Te Super Adora (Super Saver), was acquired for US$62,000 by Francisco Gallinal for Stud Patria Blanca. The latter, brother to Peruvian stakes winner Furioso Hit (Hit It a Bomb), was knocked down to the highly active Stud La Rosaura for US$60,000.

The 23 sons of Maxfield offered during the auction generated total receipts of US$1,093,000, averaging US$47,522.

Overall, the 38 horses sold produced US$1,457,000 in gross receipts, with an average of US$38,342 and a median of US$36,179.

The Haras Firmamento Venta Selección proved a resounding success both in terms of prices and attendance, rewarding the effort of investing in a stallion of Maxfield’s caliber—a strategy that the operation of Juan Carlos Bagóhas maintained consistently for many years.