Keeneland Weekend Update as strong pace continues
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Demand for quality racehorses, led by the sale of a Curlin colt for $900,000, fueled another day of positive results as the Keeneland September Yearling Sale resumed Saturday following a one-day hiatus.
For the first session of the two-day Book 3, Keeneland sold 287 yearlings through the ring for $50,747,500, marking a 12.76 percent increase from the corresponding session last year when 269 horses grossed $45,003,000. The average of $176,821 is 5.69 percent above $167,297 in 2021, while the median of $140,000 increased 3.70 percent from $135,000.
Cumulatively, 956 horses have sold through the ring for $287,737,500, for an average of $300,981 and a median of $225,000. The figures have increased from 2021 with the gross up 17.24 percent from $245,422,000 for 889 horses, the average increasing 9.03 percent from $276,065 and the median rising 12.50 percent from $200,000.
The partnership of BSW/Crow Colts Group/Spendthrift/Gandharvi went to $900,000 for the session-topping Curlin colt consigned by Elm Tree Farm (Mr. and Mrs. Jody Huckabay), agent for Stonestreet Bred & Raised. Out of the Malibu Moon mare Tangere, he is from the family of Grade 1 winners Tara’s Tango and Visionaire and recent New Kent County Virginia Derby (G3) winner Capensis.
“It’s been tough to buy this sort of horse,” Brad Weisbord said. “With groups (such as) Mike Repole and Vinnie Viola (St. Elias Stables) and the SF group dominating the marketplace, we’ve tried to buy (less expensive horses), but Liz (Crow) and (Spendthrift Farm General Manager) Ned (Toffey) said keep going, so that’s what we did. We try to stay in the $500,000-$600,000 range, but we thought he was the top colt today, so we stretched. The breeder (Stonestreet) stayed in for a piece – we think one of the top breeders in the game. For us, all the stars lined up.”
Ben McElroy, agent, spent $775,000 for a colt by Bolt d’Oro out of the Congrats mare Beautified. Consigned by Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales Agency, agent, he is from the family of Grade 3 winner Makeup Artist.
McElroy noted the success this year of the first crop of runners by Bolt d’Oro and being impressed by the colt’s Grade 1-placed half-sister, Dance to the Music.
“There is a huge emphasis on sire power, which it has been over the past two years,” McElroy said. “If you have the right sire, you are getting double if not triple, which you should.”
A colt from the first crop of Omaha Beach and the family of Grade 1 winner and producer My Flag sold for $725,000 to Michael Wallace, agent for St. Elias Stables. Clearsky Farms, agent, consigned the colt, who is from the family of champion Storm Flag Flying, Grade 1 winners Miner’s Mark and Traditionally and Grade 2 winners Jouster and Parading.
“We’ve been looking for an Omaha Beach, and this one got the attention of the whole team,” Wallace said. “The sale has been incredibly strong across the board. A lot of people still have plenty of money in their pockets. If you’d asked me three weeks ago if Book 3 would be this strong, I’d have said no. But after seeing Book 1, you knew people would be pushed back into the next days.”
Jim and Dana Bernhard’s Lynnhaven Racing purchased two colts – by Arrogate and by Street Sense – for $700,000 apiece.
Consigned by Woods Edge Farm (Peter O’Callaghan), agent, the son of Arrogate is out of the winning Ghostzapper mare Ghostslayer and is a half-brother to Grade 3 winner Biddy Duke. He also is from the family of champions Folklore and Essential Quality.
From the family of Horses of the Year and sires Saint Liam and Gun Runner, the Street Sense colt was consigned by Gainesway, agent for Bonne Chance Farm. His dam is the winning Medaglia d’Oro mare Glory and Power.
Lynnhaven also paid $675,000 for a colt from the first crop of Audible. Consigned by Lane’s End, agent, he is out of the winning Candy Ride (ARG) mare Ridingwiththedevil and from the family of Grade 3 winner My List.
Spending $2.87 million for eight horses, Lynnhaven was the session’s leading buyer.
A daughter of Arrogate from the family of champion Perfect Sting and Grade 3 winner Smart Sting sold to Rigney Racing for $600,000. She is out of the Lemon Drop Kid mare Peggy May and a half- sister to stakes winner Doc Boy. Greenfield Farms, agent for Sierra Farm, consigned the filly.
The leading consignor was Gainesway, who sold 26 horses for $7.31 million.
Momentum continued to power healthy results on Sunday at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, headlined by the purchase of a colt from the first crop of Audible for $725,000 by Flurry Racing Stables, as Keeneland reached the midpoint of the 12-day auction.
To date, 1,242 horses have sold through the ring for $327,909,500. The total is 17.58 percent above the $278,883,000 grossed for 1,169 yearlings sold through the ring during the same period last year. The average of $264,017 is 10.67 percent higher than $238,565 from the corresponding time in 2021, and the median of $200,000 is 11.11 percent above $180,000.
On Sunday, Keeneland sold 286 yearlings through the ring for $40,172,000, an increase of 20.06 percent from last year’s $33,461,000 when 280 horses sold. The average of $140,462 is up 17.54 percent from $119,504 in 2021, while the media rose 25.71 percent from $87,500 to $110,000.
Paramount Sales, agent, consigned today’s session-topping Audible colt, who is out of the winning Kafwain mare Oh Boo Hoo. He is from the family of stakes winners Haitian Vacation, Threefiveindia, Hero’s Amor and Ex Pirate.
With sales of $4,404,000 for 24 yearlings, Paramount was the day’s leading consignor.
Jim and Dana Bernhard’s Lynnhaven Racing paid $650,000 for a colt by Into Mischief consigned by Four Star Sales, agent. A full brother to Grade 3 winner Comical, he is out of the stakes-placed Tiznow mare Kayce Ace, a full sister to Grade 1 winner Colonel John.
SGV, agent for Repole and Vekoma LLC, paid $575,000 for a Munnings filly from the family of champion Escena. Consigned by Grovendale Sales, agent, she is out of the winning Unbridled’s Song mare Oh Carole.
Muir Hut Stables purchased a colt from the first crop of Mitole for $550,000. Consigned by Paramount Sales, agent, he is out of stakes winner Namaste’s Wish, by Pulpit, and from the family of Grade/Group 1 winners Purge, Jersey Girl, Jersey Town and Mozu Superflare.
Winchell Thoroughbreds and Three Chimneys paid $500,000 for a colt by Gun Runner consigned by Hidden Brook, agent. Out of the winning Broken Vow mare Wedding Jitters, he is from the family of Grade 2 winner Skipshot and Grade 3 winner Skip Code.
Two yearlings brought $475,000 each.
Repole/Spendthrift Farm paid the amount for a son of Candy Ride (ARG) who is a half-brother to multiple Grade 2 winner Private Mission and stakes winner Secret Someone. Out of the stakes-winning Unbridled mare Private Gift, he is also from the family of Grade 1 winners Dunbar Road and Secret Status, and multiple Grade 3 winner Alumni Hall. The colt was consigned by Mt. Brilliant Farm.
Three Amigos went to $475,000 to acquire a colt by City of Light, who is out of Taglia, by Union Rags. Consigned by Brookdale Sales, agent, he is from the family of champion Queena and Grade 1 winners Chic Shirine and Brahms.
Two yearlings sold for $450,000 each.
Texas Holdings (Jason Taylor) paid $450,000 for a colt by Gun Runner from the family of Grade 2 winners Miss Isella and Sir Cherokee. Out of the Speightstown mare Goforitmrsmiller, he was consigned by Stuart Morris, agent for Highclere, Rabanal and Wickes.
Solis/Litt acquired a filly by Ghostzapper for $450,000 from the consignment of Anderson Farms, agent. Out of the stakes-placed mare American Hat, by Street Cry (IRE), the filly is from the family of Canadian Horse of the Year Wonder Gadot and Grade 1 winners Secret Spice and Hard Not to Love.
Sunday’s leading buyer was Mike Ryan, agent, who acquired six horses for $1,285,000.
The September Sale continues Tuesday at 10 a.m. ET and runs daily through Saturday, Sept. 24. The entire auction is streamed live at Keeneland.com.
Keeneland Sale Press Release
Main Photo: Hip 1232, Curlin – Tangere
