An Unbridled’s Song colt topped Barretts March 2YO Sale in California on Monday when he made $475,000 to the bid of Riki Takahashi.  It was his third time through the sale ring having been passed-in for $175,000 as a foal in November 2008 prior to selling for $225,000 as a yearling in July 2009.

The Kentucky-bred grey colt is out of the Storm Cat mare King Shooting Star and is from the immediate family of English Horse of the Year Dayjur (Danzig).

He was the most expensive of four buys for Riki Takahashi that totalled $1.13 million.  Takahashi is a veterinarian who previously served as chairman of Sheikh Mohammed’s Japan operation.  His successful Barretts purchases have included Japanese stakes winners Suni and Testa Matta.  They were both raced by Kazumi Yoshida and so will Monday’s sale-topper.

“Unbridled’s Song is one of my favourites,” Takahashi said.  “I was very happy to get this horse.  He is very sound and had a very good workout.”

A Stormin Fever colt brought $450,000 from Coolmore agent Demi O’Byrne.  The Kentucky-bred from Rainbow’s End (Siphon) posted the fastest breeze-up going 200m in 09.80s.  O’Byrne bought the colt on behalf of Michael Tabor and partners and he will be trained by Todd Pletcher.

A Tale of the Cat filly from Argentine bred mare Meguial would have topped the sale but was passed-in when bidding stopped at $975,000.  She is a half-sister to 2009 Wood Memorial (G1) winner I Want Revenge (Stephen Got Even).

Turnover for the one-day auction was US6.22 million and the average of $90,652 dipped 26% compared to last year’s figures.  “We would have liked to see our average a little stronger,” Barretts Vice President Kim Lloyd said.  “But the clearance rate was good (68%) and people were moving horses and moving money – that’s what we hoped to do.”