He’s a Replica of Gun Runner: Bobby Flay-Bred Colt Tops Day One of Saratoga Sale at $2.7 Million

The Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale, one of the most anticipated events in the Thoroughbred racing world, kicked off its 2025 season with a spectacle that left attendees buzzing with excitement. On August 4, a Gun Runner colt, bred by celebrity chef and renowned breeder Bobby Flay, stole the show, commanding an astonishing $2.7 million to top the opening session. Consigned by Stone Farm, this colt, a half-brother to the graded stakes winner First Captain, captivated buyers with his impeccable pedigree and striking presence, setting the tone for a record-breaking night in Saratoga Springs, New York.

The colt, known as Hip 37, hails from the mare America, a daughter of A.P. Indy whose progeny have consistently shone at this prestigious auction. Bobby Flay, whose passion for Thoroughbred breeding rivals his culinary expertise, expressed his delight at the outcome, noting the colt’s exceptional qualities. “This colt came up here and never stopped showing himself. He’s been super straightforward since the day he was born. He has a huge walk on him, and he’s so well bred,” Flay said, reflecting on the colt’s journey from foal to sale-topper. His words underscore the meticulous care and strategic breeding that went into producing such a standout yearling, a testament to his decade-long commitment to building a top-tier broodmare band.

The winning bid came from Winchell Thoroughbreds, a powerhouse in the racing industry with a keen eye for future champions. Ron Winchell, representing the group, signed the ticket for the colt, signaling their confidence in his potential to follow in the footsteps of his sire, Gun Runner, whose progeny continue to dominate racetracks worldwide. The sale, announced just days after Gun Runner’s champion offspring Sierra Leone captured the Whitney Stakes, added an extra layer of excitement to the transaction, with the colt’s purchase seen as a strategic move toward securing a contender for the 2027 Kentucky Derby.

Lynn Hancock of Stone Farm, the consignor, echoed Flay’s sentiments about the colt’s exceptional qualities. “He’s been super straightforward at the farm from the day he was born. He has a huge walk on him, and he’s obviously so well bred,” she said, emphasizing the colt’s natural charisma and robust pedigree. The colt’s dam, America, has proven to be a goldmine for Flay, having produced First Captain, a multiple graded stakes winner with earnings exceeding $662,100. Flay himself acknowledged the mare’s remarkable contribution to his breeding program, stating, “I’ve had so much luck at The Saratoga Sale with her babies. [America] has been unreal.” He recounted the serendipitous moment of naming her, recalling, “People always ask how I got that name, and I say I don’t know. It was three in the morning, and I just tried. She’s been very special.”

The opening session of the 2025 Saratoga Sale was nothing short of electrifying, with nine yearlings fetching seven-figure prices, a feat that underscores the robust demand for elite Thoroughbreds. The session grossed $39,975,000 for 77 yearlings, achieving an average of $519,156 and a median of $400,000, according to Fasig-Tipton’s official figures. Boyd Browning, president and CEO of Fasig-Tipton, described the night as a “tremendous start,” highlighting the competitive bidding that persisted from start to finish. “There was tremendous activity across the board,” Browning noted, crediting the quality of the catalog and the enthusiasm of buyers for the session’s success.

The Gun Runner colt’s $2.7 million price tag was not the only highlight of the evening. A Not This Time colt, consigned by Nardelli Sales and bred by Susan Casner, set a new benchmark for the session, selling for $3.4 million to Zedan Racing through bloodstock agent Donato Lanni. This colt, out of the Tiznow mare Kayce Ace, further demonstrated the market’s appetite for yearlings with strong pedigrees and physical promise. Other notable sales included a Curlin filly, Hip 85, which sold for $1.9 million to West Bloodstock, and a Charlatan colt, Hip 57, which fetched $1.5 million for Resolute Bloodstock. The diversity of buyers, ranging from established racing operations to new entrants like Kjell Andersen, who purchased a $1.4 million Not This Time colt, underscored the broad appeal of the sale.

For Flay, the success of Hip 37 represents more than just a financial windfall; it’s the culmination of a carefully crafted breeding strategy. “It’s a strategy that has taken a long time to create the foundation of, but basically it’s trying to buy some of the best families in the stud book, both in Europe and in the United States,” Flay explained. His approach, guided by advisors like Barry Weisbord and James Delahooke, focuses on acquiring mares from elite bloodlines and making strategic mating decisions. The result is a broodmare band that consistently produces high-caliber offspring, as evidenced by the performance of America’s progeny at Saratoga.

The sale’s vibrant atmosphere was palpable, with bidders filling the Humphrey S. Finney Sales Pavilion and others participating remotely, drawn by the promise of securing the next big star. The colt’s resemblance to his sire, Gun Runner, fueled speculation about his future on the racetrack. Known for his versatility and relentless drive, Gun Runner has sired champions like Sierra Leone, and buyers clearly saw similar potential in Hip 37. Social media posts on X captured the excitement, with one user describing the colt as “a replica of Gun Runner” and another noting the “electric energy” in the pavilion as the hammer fell at $2.7 million.

The broader context of the sale reflects a thriving Thoroughbred market, with breeders and buyers alike expressing optimism about the industry’s future. The success of the Saratoga Sale, which set records for gross and average in 2024, continued its upward trajectory in 2025, driven by the quality of the horses and the passion of the participants. For new buyers like Andersen, the event marked an entry into the Thoroughbred world, with the harness racing veteran expressing enthusiasm about his $1.4 million purchase. “I’ve been in the harness business for 20 years; this is my first Thoroughbred horse, and I’m looking forward to it,” he said, highlighting the sale’s ability to attract diverse investors.

As the dust settled on the opening night, the Gun Runner colt remained the talk of Saratoga Springs. His sale not only highlighted Bobby Flay’s prowess as a breeder but also underscored the enduring allure of Thoroughbred racing. For Winchell Thoroughbreds, the colt represents a bold investment in the future, with hopes that he’ll carry the legacy of his sire to new heights. As Flay aptly put it, “At some point, the good blood really shows up, and she’s proven that.” With the second session of the sale set to continue on August 5, the Thoroughbred world eagerly awaits the next chapter in this remarkable story of bloodlines, ambition, and dreams of Derby glory.