$700,000 filly anchors excellent Saratoga sale for Forte

Forte’s yearlings got off to a flying start during the opening session of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale with a $700,000 filly and a $600,000 colt among his offerings on Monday evening.

Overall, Forte had four lots sell for an average of $461,250. The champion 2-year-old male of 2022, Forte is represented this year by his first yearlings.

Taylor Made Sales Agency sold Forte’s personal session topper on behalf of breeder Brunacini Stables. Pin Oak Stud LLC was the winning bidder on the bay filly that was catalogued as hip No. 89.

The Kentucky-bred is the second foal out of Spirit Dance, who is a half-sister to graded stakes-placed Dance Again, while the filly’s third dam is Canadian champion Dancethruthedawn.

Forte’s $600,000 colt, hip No. 69 consigned by Eaton Sales, agent, went to St. Elias and Partners. The colt’s unraced dam Sea Song is a half-sister to stakes winners Proven Strategies and Corona Bolt.

During his championship season, Forte won three Grade 1 events: Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, Breeders’ Futurity and Hopeful S. He would go on to win the Florida Derby (G1) and Jim Dandy S. (G3) at three before retiring to Spendthrift Farm with over $3 million in earnings.