When Eamon Cleary purchased multiple stakes winner Bubbler for $170,000 at the 2010 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Mixed Sale, the Irish native didn't know it, but he started a legacy for Clearsky Farms, his then-fledgling Lexington breeding outpost.
Cleary died in late September 2012 at age 52 when Bubbler was in foal to Unbridled's Song. That pregnancy produced 2016 champion 3-year-old male and eventual Hall of Fame inductee Arrogate.
At the Sept. 9 first session of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, Cleary's sons Bernard and Eamonn sold a Tapit filly out of a half sister to Arrogate for $1.2 million to Shadwell Farm. Hip 81 is the second foal out of the winning Into Mischief mare Immediate Impact, out of Bubbler, by Distorted Humor.
"Arrogate was very important to us because he came along when the farm was still young and relatively unknown," said Bernard Cleary. "Him being such a good horse helped establish a reputation for the farm and now we have him coming along as being an important stallion, despite his untimely death.
"(Hip 81) was a quality physical and stood up on her own merits. It's brilliant for Shadwell to buy her. We're really pleased such an established outfit that has had such great success across the world bought her."
Clearsky's broodmare band numbers about 30, Bernard Cleary said. The farm still has Bubbler, whom Clearsky owns in partnership with Hill 'n' Dale Farm. Clearsky also kept two half sisters to Arrogate, including Immediate Impact.
Shadwell has bought from Clearsky before, having purchased four-time grade 2 winner Mohaymen for $2.2 million at the 2014 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
"I hope this filly can go on and provide similar success for them," Bernard Cleary said.
The story didn't stop there Monday for Clearsky, which had an outstanding opening session, selling all three of its offerings for total proceeds of $2.6 million.
Speedway Stables went to $850,000 for Hip 98, a Quality Road filly out of multiple grade 2 winner Justwhistledixie, by Dixie Union. Justwhistledixie is dam of 2013 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) winner New Year's Day, multiple grade 2 winner Mohaymen, grade 3 winners Enforceable and Kingly, and stakes-placed Irish Unity.
Earlier in the session, Clearsky offered Hip 2, an Into Mischief colt out of the grade 3-winning Blame mare Daisy, dam of multiple stakes winner Botanical (Medaglia d'Oro ). Trainer Cherie DeVaux, agent for Belladonna Racing, went to $560,000.
"It seems a strong market for the right product," Bernard Cleary said. "Saratoga was very strong. Obviously, it's the first day and I haven't really gotten to browse the results properly, but for the right horse it seems strong to me, and on this day anyway we were fortunate enough to have three of those."
