by Karsten Bonsdorf, USTA web newsroom correspondent
Hall of Famer Lou Guida bought the highest priced yearling at the Italian yearling sale ITS on Monday (September 12) for $218,500.
The yearling was a colt named Raise Wise As, sired by Donato Hanover and out of Garden Variety, she by Tagliabue. Raise Wise As is the first colt from Garden Variety, who earlier has brought the classic winners In Wise As (by SJ’s Caviar) 1:56.2 ($336,000) and Mind Wise As 1:58 ($440,000).
Trainer Jerry Riordan, who made the bidding for Guida, also bought a filly, Rare Wise AS, for him. Rare Wise As is sired by Varenne and out of the above mentioned In Wise As. The hammer fell at $61,500.
Another Wise yearling was sold for more than $100,000 dollars; that was the filly Rionda Wise, sired by Cantab Hall and out of Gironda As. The hammer fell at $109,500. Rionda Wise is the first foal out of Gironda As (by the Italian champion Lemon Dra) 1:53.1 ($405,860).
The average price at the sale was $28,125 as 74 yearlings were sold.