Into Mischief breaks Storm Cat’s record for most million-dollar yearlings

Book One at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale marked a historic event for four-time Champion General Sire Into Mischief, when 11 yearlings sold for seven-figure prices. Adding upon his trio of million-dollar yearlings at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale last month, Into Mischief’s 14 seven-figure sales marks the most ever for a sire in a single year, breaking Storm Cat’s previous mark of 13 established in 2005.

Leading this incredible feat was a colt out of the Empire Maker mare Nonna Mia, who dropped the hammer at $3,000,000, marking the highest-priced yearling in the esteemed career at stud by Into Mischief.

Bred by Mike Repole and consigned by Lanes End, the grand-looking colt boasts a stallion’s pedigree, being a half-brother to successful stallion and Grade 1 winner Outwork, and out of a half-sister to another stallion and Grade 2 winner in Cairo Prince. Hip 261 was bought by Sonson, Woodford, West Point, and LEB.

Early in Book One, Into Mischief had the first yearling hit the seven-figure mark with Hip 18, a colt out of Grade 1 Test Stakes winner American Gal, selling for $1,100,000. Consigned by Gainesway, the fancy bay colt was sold to Grandview Equine.

Another top-priced yearling to sell on the first day was Hip 92 which commanded $2,300,000. Also consigned by Gainesway, the well-bred filly was purchased by Shadwell Racing. She is out of the Grade 3 Monmouth Oaks winner Delightful Joy, who has already produced G2 Summertime Oaks winner Window Shopping.

Arguably one of the best pedigrees in the entire sale was Hip 145 which sold for $1,400,000. The first foal out of three-time Grade 1 winner Guarana was snapped up by Winchell Thoroughbreds when the bidding commenced. The colt was from the Hill n’ Dale at Xalapa consignment.

Soon after Hip 145 came Hip 147, accompanied by another strong pedigree. A full brother to the three-time Grade 1 winner and rising stallion Practical Joke commanded $1,000,000 from John Stewart. He was consigned by Eaton Sales.

Also notable for Into Mischief on the momentous day was Hip 162 which sold for $1,700,000 to Jersey City Destroyers Stables. Out of the mare I’ll Take Charge from the Gainesway consignment, the colt hails from the immediate family of Take Charge Lady, who is responsible for horses such as stallions Will Take Charge and Take Charge Indy. It is also the family of promising Spendthrift stallion Omaha Beach along with champion filly Take Charge Brandi. I’ll Take Charge has already produced current Grade 2 winner and top-class performer Charge It.

Another yearling from the Gainesway consignment, hip  218, sold early Tuesday during the second session of book one for $1,100,000. Out of the Distorted Humor mare Magical World, this Into Mischief colt is a half brother to the 3x Grade 1 winner Guarana as well as stakes winners Beatbox and Magic Dance. Agent Donato Lani purchased the colt for SF, Starlight and Madaket.

Session two of book 1 brought plenty of quality from the top sire, including a colt out of the Grade 2 winner Princess Haya (Street Cry). Hip 283 hammered at a price of $1,800,000 to MV Magnier from the St George Sales consignment. Princess Haya is not only a G2 winner in the Canadian stakes, but is also the dam of stakes winner and graded stakes placed Lady Kate (Bernardini) who sold as a broodmare in 2021 for $1,150,000, and graded stakes placed horses Prince of Arabia and Princess Theorem.

One of the most exciting hips of the sale was hip 309. The first foal out of 2019 Kentucky Oaks Champion Serengeti Empress (Alternation) by Into Mischief was a colt consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency. Serengeti Empress’ resume also includes wins in the Grade 1 Ballerina Stakes, Grade 2 Rachel Alexandra stakes, and Grade 2 Azeri stakes. She also finished second in the 2020 Breeders Cup Filly and Mare Sprint in her last start with final earnings of $2,175,653. This beautiful colt sold to China Horse Club, Maverick Racing and Siena Farm for $1,200,000.

Very soon after, hip 316 became yet another 7 figure yearling for her sire, selling for $1,200,000 to Hartley/De Renzo and BC Stables from the Gainesway consignment. A filly out of the Mr.Greeley mare Silver Colors, who herself is the daughter of one of the only female Kentucky Derby winners, Winning Colors. Bred on the same cross as 2020 Kentucky Derby Champion Authentic, this filly is also a half sister to the Grade 1 Alabama winner Eskimo Kisses.

The last seven figure yearling to sell by Into Mischief during book one was hip 331, a colt out of the impressive mare Special Me (Unbridled’s Song). Special Me has been an extremely productive producer of top level horses, including G1 winner Gift Box, G2 winner Stonetastic, and G2 winner Special Forces. The full sibling to this colt is the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup winner Gina Romantica, who was Into Mischief’s 13th G1 winner. This colt was snatched up by MV Magnier for $1,200,000.

In 2022, Into Mischief sired 12 seven-figure yearlings, which tied Storm Cat’s record and was one better than Northern Dancer’s 11 back in 1984. This year’s historical record only adds to the growing legacy being created by Into Mischief.