Catching up with top sellers from 2016 Keeneland September

On the eve of the Keeneland September kickoff, it’s an opportune time to revisit the top sellers from the 2016 yearling sale. Of the nine who crossed the million-dollar threshold a year ago, six have been named, three have run, and one has won.

That winner is the $3 million sales topper, Mendelssohn, a Scat Daddy half-brother to four-time Eclipse Award champion Beholder and successful young sire Into Mischief. Purchased by Coolmore’s M.V. Magnier and sent to Aidan O’Brien, the May 17 foal was given a gentle introduction at the Curragh July 15 and made late progress for eighth behind highly regarded stablemate The Pentagon.

Typically for Ballydoyle, Mendelssohn improved markedly second time out to win over a mile at the same venue August 13:

$3m colt Mendelssohn wins on his second try at @curraghrace - this one a son of Scat Daddy and a half-brother to US champion mare Beholder: pic.twitter.com/8AcRgmX5Vv

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) August 13, 2017

Mendelssohn has the boatload of fancy entries you come to expect for a well-bred Coolmore youngster. Skipping today’s Vincent O’Brien National (G1) and taken out of entered in this upcoming Saturday’s Champagne (G2), the bay remains eligible for the September 24 Beresford (G2), the September 30 Royal Lodge (G2), the October 14 Dewhurst (G1), and next May’s Irish 2000 Guineas (G1).

But O’Brien is in no hurry with the promising colt.

“He came forward lovely from his first run but he's still very babyish,” the master of Ballydoyle told irishracing.com.

“Obviously he will learn as he goes along. He (jockey Ryan Moore) said he was very green in front and he was extremely green the first day when Wayne (Lordan) rode him.

“Hopefully he'll grow out of that. Sometimes it takes them two or three runs, but he's a lovely colt.

“You'd like to go for a winners’ race with him rather than stepping him up because he's extra green. You wouldn't like to go into a Group race with him yet like that, you'd like him to be a little bit more professional.

“He's a lovely colt and a very well-bred horse; we might go gently I think.”

Here’s Mendelssohn, bred by Clarkland Farm from the stakes-winning Tricky Creek mare Leslie’s Lady, touring the Keeneland sales ring:

Still unnamed at this writing is the $2 million Tapit half-brother to Mucho Macho Man, star of the 2013 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) and an earner of more than $5.6 million.

Bred by Brushwood Stable and consigned by Eaton Sales, agent, the son of the stakes-winning Ponche de Leona (by Ponche) is also a full brother to stakes victress Southern Girl and a half to stakes-placed Mucho Mans Gold.

Bridlewood Farm and Coolmore teamed up to purchase the April 22-foaled gray.