Coolmore go to $1.1 million for California Chrome's half-brother

A half-brother to two-time Horse of the Year California Chrome was purchased by Coolmore's MV Magnier for $1.1 million during the first session of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale on Monday.

"He's a very nice horse," Magnier said. "He's by a very good sire in Tapit and out of a good producing mare, and a brother to a very good horse. So it's a lot of money but he probably deserved to make it. He showed a lot of quality. He's a big, scopey horse and a great mover."

Consigned by Bedouin Bloodstock, agent, as Hip 141 the colt by leading sire Tapit is out of the winning Not For Love mare Love the Chase.

"When he came out he was a huge foal, he was great, a beautiful colt," said Neal Clarke, who runs Bedouin Bloodstock in partnership with Connor Doyle. "The rest was simple. He never had a bandage on, never had a pimple. It was great.

Hip 141: the Tapit half-brother to California Chrome brings a $1.1 million bid from MV MagnierCredit: Keeneland Photo

"It was actually bittersweet seeing him go. I was very proud of him, he really acted very well down here and did beautifully. I'm sad to see him go. I have to say I have liked having him around all this time. But at the same time it was a great price, he's gone to a wonderful home with great connections so we're thrilled."

California Chrome won 16 of 27 starts, including the Emirates Airline Dubai World Cup as well as two legs of the Triple Crown in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands and Preakness Stakes. In addition to two Horse of the Year titles, California Chrome was voted 2014 champion three-year-old male and 2016 champion older horse. He retired with earnings in excess of $14.7m.

Love the Chase was purchased by John McCormack Bloodstock for $1.95m at the 2016 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Mixed Sale while carrying the Tapit colt in utero. The colt was bred in Kentucky by SF Bloodstock.

"The mare is great," Clarke continued. "We have a lovely Pioneerof the Nile weanling and he's big and beautiful... really just great. And she's back in foal to Uncle Mo.

"She's just been the easiest mare you could wish for. She puts these big, beautiful, correct foals on the ground and I wish they were all like that. It would be great."

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