Session 1
Book 1 of the 2018 Keeneland Sales was scheduled to start two hours late for all four session due to weather. Session 1 was a little slow to begin. Several yearlings that were worth potentially a million or more sold for less or hammered as an RNA. RNA stands for Reserve Not Attained, meaning the horse did not meet the minimum bid the consignor or breeder set prior to the sale. Session 1 was full of RNA’s. Many top yearlings out of high dollar mares were an RNA, including the high anticipated colt out of Leslie’s Lady. The yearlings projected to lead the session surprised many and did not do as well.
HIP 91 was the first to break the million dollar mark of the sale. 138 horses were sold in Session 1, for a total of $48,620,000. The average price was $352,319. The top price of Session 1 was $2,200,000. Taylor Made Sales was the day’s leading consignor.
Seven Figure Yearlings in Session 1
- HIP 91 Colt (American Pharoah x Kindle) – Purchased for $2,200,000 by Godolphin
- HIP 211 Colt (Curlin x Molly Morgan – Purchased for $1,800,000 by Oxo Equine
- HIP 203 Filly (Tapit x Miss Macy Sue) – Purchased for $1,400,000 by Don Alberto Corporation
- HIP 218 Colt (Medaglia d’Oro x Moulin de Mougin) – Purchased for $1,300,000 by Godolphin
- HIP 141 Colt (Tapit x Love the Chase) – Purchased for $1,100,000 by M.V. Magnier (Coolmore)
Top 5 Buyers in Session 1
- Godolphin purchased 9 horses for a total of $6,920,000
- Shadwell Estate Company purchased 6 horses for a total of $3,290,000
- Oxo Equine purchased 1 horse for a total of $1,800,000
- M.V. Magnier (Coolmore) purchased 2 horses for a total of $1,675,000
- Winchell Thoroughbreds purchased 4 horses for a total of $1,560,000
Top 5 Sires in Session 1
- American Pharaoh sired 12 horses for a total of $6,335,000
- Tapit sired 7 horses for a total of $6,050,000
- Curlin sired 6 horses for a total of $3,925,000
- Medaglia d’Oro sired 6 horses for a total of $3,555,000
- Pioneerof the Nile sired 6 horses for a total of $2,935,000
Session 2
Session 2 of the 2018 Keeneland Sales started off with great momentum and many prospective buyers were eager to purchase. There were less RNA’s on day two, except for one big RNA. The highly anticipated Will Take Charge half brother to Triple Crown Champion Justify dropped the hammer at $1,700,000. An unknown buyer thought they had made a historical purchase but the colt was not sold. The reserve set was $1,799,000. The Gunthers told the media they would race the colt themselves, but were interested in welcoming partners. Lots of other great yearlings were sold and day two and for heftier prices than day one.
168 horses were sold in Session 2, for a total of $65,835,000. The average price was $391,875. The top price of Session 2 was $2,400,000. Gainesway was the day’s leading consignor.
Seven Figure Yearlings in Session 2
- HIP 458 Colt (War Front x Streaming) – Purchased for $2,400,000 by M.V. Magnier (Coolmore)
- HIP 389 Filly (War Front x Seeking Gabrielle) – Purchased for $1,750,000 by Godolphin
- HIP 383 Colt (Uncle Mo x Secret) – Purchased for $1,400,000 by Mike Ryan (agent for an undisclosed client)
- HIP 388 Colt (Empire Maker x Seeinsbelieven) – Purchased for $1,350,000 by Phoenix Thoroughbreds
- HIP 456 Colt (Curlin x Stoweshoe) – Purchased for $1,300,000 by Godolphin
- HIP 291 Colt (War Front x Pin Up) – Purchased for $1,200,000 by Shadwell Estate Company
- HIP 306 Filly (American Pharoah x Pretty ‘n Smart) – Purchased for $1,200,000 by M.V. Magnier (Coolmore)
- HIP 297 Colt (Pioneerof the Nile x Pomeroys Pistol) – Purchased for $1,000,000 by Albaugh Family Stable & Spendthrift Farm
Top 5 Buyers in Session 2
- Godolphin purchased 6 horses for a total of $5,670,000
- Shadwell Estate Company purchased 6 horses for a total of $3,860,000
- M.V. Magnier (Coolmore) purchased 2 horses for a total of $3,600,000
- The partnership of SF Bloodstock and Starlight West purchased 5 horses for a total of $3,170,000
- Phoenix Thoroughbreds purchased 5 horses for a total of $2,775,000
Top 5 Sires in Session 2
- War Front sired 8 horses for a total of $8,370,000
- Uncle Mo sired 11 horses for a total of $5,910,000
- Tapit sired 9 horses for a total of $4,750,000
- American Pharoah sired 13 horses for a total of $4,500,000
- Empire Maker sired 7 horses for a total of $4,350,000
Session 3
Session 3 went off as another highly exciting session at the 2018 Keeneland Sales. Many yearlings from many great breeding lines entered the sales ring. Several international buyers showed up for Session 3, including buyers from China, Japan, Ireland, and Great Britain. Session 3 saw a significantly smaller amount of RNA’s. High prices and demand continued on and another handful sold for over seven figures.
151 horses were sold in Session 3, for a total of $52,883,000. The average price was $350,219. The top price of Session 3 was $1,400,000. Taylor Made Sales was the day’s leading consignor.
Seven Figure Yearlings in Session 3
- HIP 729 Colt (American Pharoah x Bsharpsonata) – Purchased for $1,400,000 by Oxo Equine
- HIP 696 Filly (War Front x Betterbetterbetter) – Purchased for $1,200,000 by Shadwell Estate Company
- HIP 730 Colt (Medaglia d’Oro x Bunairgead) – Purchased for $1,200,000 by Shadwell Estate Company
- HIP 509 Colt (War Front x Tiffany’s Honour) – Purchased for $1,100,000 by China Horse Club and WinStar Farm
- HIP 578 Colt (Quality Road x What’smineismine) – Purchased for $1,100,000 by White Birch Farm and Three Chimneys
- HIP 703 Filly (Uncle Mo x Bizzy Caroline) – Purchased for $1,100,000 by Godolphin
- HIP 740 Filly (Ghostzapper x Capitulation) – Purchased for $1,025,000 by Stonestreet Stables
Top 5 Buyers in Session 3
- Shadwell Estate Company purchased 7 horses for a total of $5,195,000
- Godolphin purchased 4 horses for a total of $3,250,000
- White Birch Farm purchased 4 horses for a total of $1,820,000
- Oxo Equine purchased 1 horse for a total of $1,400,000
- The partnership of St. Elias and Repole Stable purchased 2 horses for a total of $1,400,000
Top 5 Sires in Session
- Medaglia d’Oro sired 11 horses for a total of $5,540,000
- American Pharoah sired 8 horses for a total of $4,235,000
- War Front sired 5 horses for a total of $3,745,000
- Into Mischief sired 11 horses for a total of $3,715,000
- Uncle Mo sired 8 horses for a total of $3,375,000
Session 4
Session 4 of the 2018 Keeneland Sales was a sneaky great session. There were many top offerings, including siblings to top Grade 1 horses as well as progeny of top mares. A few top buyers had thinned out and gave “the little guy” a chance to score some top stock. Session 4 did however have a lot of outs. Many top offerings had been withdrawn, either due to an unforeseen circumstance or their owner decided they wished to keep them. Prices still soared and saw another large group of seven figure yearlings.
139 horses were sold in Session 4, for a total of $49,475,000. The average price was $355,935. The top price of Session 4 was $2,100,000. Taylor Made Sales was the days leading consignor.
Seven Figure Yearlings in Session 4
- HIP 899 Colt (Medaglia d’Oro x Exotic Bloom) – Purchased for $2,100,000 by Phoenix Thoroughbreds
- HIP 823 Colt (Medaglia d’Oro x Dayatthespa) – Purchased for $1,600,000 by Godolphin
- HIP 948 Colt (Into Mischief x Gaudete) – Purchased for $1,200,000 by Oxo Equine
- HIP 814 Filly (Curlin x Dame Dorothy) – Purchased for $1,050,000 by West Bloodstock and Robert and Lawana Low
- HIP 977 Filly (Pioneerof the Nile x Graeme Six) – Purchased for $1,050,000 by Shawn Dugan (agent for an undisclosed client)
- HIP 893 Filly (Medaglia d’Oro x Esprit de Vie) – Purchased for $1,000,000 by Godolphin
Top 5 Buyers in Session 4
- Godolphin purchased 3 horses for a total of $3,100,000
- Phoenix Thoroughbreds purchased 3 horses for a total a of $2,800,000
- Shawn Dugan (agent) purchased 3 horses for a total of $1,950,000
- Courtlandt Farm purchased 3 horses for a total of $1,910,000
- Steven W. Young (agent) purchased 3 horses for a total of $1,700,000
Top 5 Sires in Session 4
- Medaglia d’Oro sired 7 horses for a total of $6,900,000
- Uncle Mo sired 15 horses for a total of $5,695,000
- Curlin sired 8 horses for a total of $2,725,000
- Honor Code sired 10 horses for a total of $2,560,000
- Pioneerof the Nile sired 5 horses for a total of $2,440,000
Book 1 Leaders
Top 5 Consignors in Book 1
- Taylor Made Sales sold 89 horses for a total of $31,854,000
- Gainesway sold 43 horses for a total of $22,665,000
- Lanes End Farm sold 40 horses for a total of $18,750,000
- Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales sold 23 horses for a total of $10,263,000
- Denali Stud sold 20 horses for a total of $8,695,000
Top 5 Buyers in Book 1
- Godolphin purchased 22 horses for a total of $18,940,000
- Shadwell Estate Company purchased 19 horses for a total of $12,345,000
- Phoenix Thoroughbreds purchased 13 horses for a total of $6,695,000
- The partnership of SF Bloodstock and Starlight West purchased 11 horses for a total of $6,395,000
- Courtlandt Farm purchased 14 horses for a total of $5,395,000
Top 5 Sires in Book 1
- Medaglia d’Oro sired 31 horses for a total of $19,395,000
- American Pharoah sired 37 horses for a total of $17,270,000
- Uncle Mo sired 40 horses for a total of $16,890,000
- Tapit sired 23 horses for a total of $14,330,000
- War Front sired 18 horses for a total of $14,085,000
