Ship’ Comes Sailing in for Darley

Offspring by Darley freshman sire Midshipman (Unbridled’s Song) were very well-received at yesterday’s one-day OBS March sale. Hip 139, a son of the 2008 champion 2-year-old and GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile hero out of an unraced full-sister to MGSW & MGISP Amen Hallelujah (Montbrook), brought $560,000 after firing a :9 4/5 bullet. He was previously picked up by Hal Hatch for $120,000 as a Keeneland September yearling. Hip 119, a filly out of the Cat Thief mare Debit Or Credit, changed hands for $300,000. The Apr. 21 foal–a $115,000 KEESEP purchase by Hatch–breezed an eighth in :10. Bloodstock agent David Ingordo signed for the pair from the Halcyon Hammock draft. “We’re very happy with the results,” Darley Head of Sales Charlie Boden said while keeping a close eye on the sales ring. “We loved him as a racehorse. He [entered stud] in a year when it wasn’t the easiest to sell seasons to new stallions. It was a little tough three years ago and people kind of moved away from the unproven stock. He’s going to breed a full book of mares this year as a result of the good results like this.” Boden continued, “You always get a little indication when you get to see their [first] yearlings. They were well-received, and while they weren’t out of the greatest mares, he got athletic-looking horses and they were bought by some sharp horsemen. We’re really pleased.” Midshipman stands the 2014 season at Darley’s Lexington, Ky, base for $7,500.