by Karsten Bønsdorf
Treasure Dust, a colt sired by Cantab Hall out of Savvy Yankee was the highest priced yearling at the annual Danish Derbysale held in Copenhagen Saturday evening.
The hammer fell at $56,000 and the buyer was Swedish trainer, Stefan Hultmann.
The dam of Treasure Dust, Savvy Yankee was sold to Denmark in foal to Cantab Hall – she the dam of Rocky Balboa (by Muscles Yankee) 1.54.2S, who stands at stud in Indiana.
Tougher n ‘the Rest, a filly sired by Andover Hall, fetched the second highest price at $32,000, while Triton Sisa, a colt sired by Credit Winner, was sold for $27,000. The average sale price was $11,727.
Before the sale the Danish Derby for 4-year-old mares over 1 5/16 mile with a purse for the winner of $72,500 dollars was raced and won by the favorite, Peak Performance, driven by Steen Juul. Peak Performance, who is sired by the Swedish stallion Good As Gold, was timed in 1.59.1f (mile rate).
At Cagnes sur Mer, the Swedish gelding Commander Crowe, driven by Christophe Martens, was a very impressive winner of the Grand Prix du Conseil General des alpes Maritimes, the third leg of the European World Summer Cup, in a new French record of 1.50.4, followed by the Italian mare, Lana del Rio. The purse for the winner was $130,000.
The time is the fastest ever recorded in Europe, but as the French racetracks are measured two meters from the rail, the record can’t be recognized as a European record.
Back in northern Sweden at the Bergsaker track some of the best trotters met in the Sundsvall Open Trot over 1-5/16 mile with a purse for the winner of $160,000.
The race was won by Joke Face, driven by Erik Adielsson in 1.55.2f (mile rate), followed by Iceland driven by Ôrjan Kilhström. Iceland led most of the trip, but couldn’t withstand a late brush from a very brave Joke Face.