Darley shuttler Bernardini topped the Fasig-Tipton 2YO Florida Sale on Monday with a colt from Japanese winner Hishi Aspen.

Prominent New York owner Robert LaPenta bought the bay colt for $1.60 million.  His dam Hishi Aspen (Forestry) is a direct descendant of 1994 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Fall Aspen (Pretense).

During his first trip through the auction ring, the Bernardini colt was acquired for $250,000 by Hartley-De Renzo Thoroughbreds at the 2012 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July yearling sale.

Bernardini heads Darley’s Kentucky roster at a $150,000 service fee after starting stud life at $60,000 a cover in 2007.  His Florida draft averaged $1.067 million.

Fasig-Tipton reported trade reached $17.72 million for 46 lots sold in Florida.  The average was up 20% to $385,326 and the median jumped 31% to $300,000.   The clearance rate dropped 12 points to 59%.

Bernardini had four other colts besides the session-topper under offer at Florida.  They sold for $950,000 and $650,000 while the other two were passed-in for $225,000 and $190,000.

Other Australian sires with progeny catalogued included:
CONGRATS Filly – $200,000
HARD SPUN Filly – Passed in $45,000
HENNY HUGHES Filly – Passed in $145,000
MEDAGLIA D’ORO Colt – $500,000,   Filly – $350,000

MORE THAN READY Filly – $170,000
READY’S IMAGE Filly – $160,000
STREET BOSS Filly – $225,000
STREET CRY Colt – $185,000
STREET SENSE Colt – $300,000