Darley shuttler Hard Spun headlined Day 1 of the Fasig-Tipton Maryland yearling sale on Tuesday with a colt that made $200,000.

Kentucky bloodstock agent Peter Bradley purchased the session-topper and plans to resell him next year.  “He has a combination of pedigree and conformation and I bought him for a pin-hooking venture,” Bradley said.  “There are about a dozen of us involved.  We’ve made money over the years and have had fun along the way, too.”

Hard Spun (Danzig) has sired 17 individual winners from his first crop this year with Red Duke leading the charge after a G2 victory in the Superlative Stakes at Newmarket.

Hard Spun was undefeated in three starts as a juvenile and, after being placed in the G1 Kentucky Derby and G1 Preakness Stakes, captured the G1 King’s Bishop Stakes at Saratoga.

Hard Spun is covering his fourth book at Darley’s Northwood Park base in Victoria for a $16,500 (inc gst) service fee.

His Maryland colt is from Lucky Lavender Gal (Carson City) and is a half brother to Aqueduct stakes winner Lavender Lass (Skip Trial).  “He’s well-balanced and has a powerful hip,” Bradley added.  “And he has enough length and scope to make you think he has the potential to be a two-turn horse.  That’s what really makes a horse sell well at those 2YO Sales.  He’s that kind of package.”

Lucky Lavender Gal is a half sister to the dam of 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro (Dynaformer).

Three other yearlings commanded six-figure prices during Day 1 – a $145,000 Grand Slam colt, a $115,000 Fairbanks colt and a $110,000 Not For Love filly.

The average was up 20% to $18,791 and the clearance rate declined just one point to 75%.  The sale’s second and final session is scheduled for October 5.