When the dust settled on an incredible bidding war for a Kentucky-bred son of Curlin during Tuesday’s session of the Keeneland September Yearling sale, Godolphin emerged the winning bidder at $4.1 million for the colt out of the New Zealand Champion Sprinter Bounding. The price was the highest paid at the sale since 2010.

Consigned by Eaton Sales, agent, for Stonestreet Bred and Raised, the striking chestnut is the first foal out of Bounding, who won six Group stakes in the southern hemispshere. Her dam Believe’n’Suceed was also a group winner in Australia and in addition to Bounding, is the dam of Anthony Van Dyck (IRE), who won the Investec Derby (G1) in England.

“Curlin is having a wonderful sales year,” Stonestreet owner Barbara Banke said. “This should really take him over the top. He is a family member to me. I want the best mares for him. I want to see [his offspring] do the best on the track. I want to produce those Classic winners for many years to come, I hope.”

Curlin has been a perennial top-10 sire since the two-time Horse of the Year retired a decade ago. The Hill ‘n’ Dale stallion is currently fifth on the 2019 General Sire list with over $8.8 million in progeny earnings to date. He has also been the leading sire during the first two days of the Keeneland sale, with three lots bringing at least $1 million.