Orb was well represented in the sales ring when one of his 2-year-old sons fetched $500,000 from the China Horse Club and WinStar Farm at the Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream sale. The bay colt is the most expensive offspring to sell at public auction thus far for his young sire.
Consigned by Ciaran Dunne’s Wavertree Stables, he is out of the stakes-winning In Excess mare Spring Awakening, who was second in the G1 Del Mar Debutante. He is also a half-brother to the Tapit filly Walk Close, winner of the G3 Modesty Handicap and an earner of nearly $300,000.
The Orb colt’s female family additionally traces to European champion Hold That Tiger and G1 winner Editor’s Note.
Orb, who captured the G1 Kentucky Derby and G1 Florida Derby during his race career, was the leading sales sire of first-crop weanlings, first-crop yearlings, and is now the leading sire of first-crop 2-year-olds. Among his yearling sales in 2016 was a $450,000 colt, who was bought by Eric Fein at the Keeneland September sale.
Orb stands for $25,000 at Claiborne.