A Tapit colt, whose dam is a G1 winning half-sister to the Lammerskraal Stud based sire Visionaire, topped the Book 1 session of Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Going through the ring on Monday, the colt was knocked down for $2 000 000, making him the top lot sold at this year’s Keeneland Sale thus far.

Offered as Hip 435 by Eaton Sales, agent for breeder Barbara Banke’s Stonestreet Bred & Raised, the colt was purchased by a partnership consisting of Eclipse Thoroughbreds, Robert LaPenta, Gainesway Farm, and Winchell Thoroughbreds with Stonestreet retaining a small equity interest as well.

Eclipse Thoroughbred’s Aron Wellman said of the buy, “He was just a phenomenal physical; he was a man amongst boys to our eye, in the sale. Wellman said he has a relationship with the colt’s family, since he was involved with Visionaire while working at Team Valor International, saying,”Visionaire was the first grade 1 winner that I was associated with during my tenure at Team Valor when he won the King’s Bishop.”

The colt’s dam, Tara’s Tango, a daughter of Unbridled’s Song whose three graded stakes wins included the G1 Santa Margarita Stakes, is one of four graded stakes winners produced by stakes-placed French Deputy mare Scarlet Tango. The latter is also dam of G3 Hutcheson Stakes winner Madison’s Luna (by Tapit) and G3 Providencia Stakes heroine Scarlet Strike.

Visionaire, South Africa’s Leading First Season Sire of 2014-2015, and Leading Second Season Sire the following season, is currently the sire of 16 black type horses notably G1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic winner Takingthepeace.