The elite Book 1 of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale is normally viewed as a place for the established stars of the stallion ranks to flex their commercial muscles, but it can also be a place for the rookies of the stud book to make a memorable first impression.
Three Chimeys Farm's Volatile did just that during the auction's first two sessions, leading all first-crop stallions by average sale price at $690,000, which put him third overall behind titans Into Mischief and Uncle Mo. The member of the 2022-23 All-Value Sire Team was also the only first-year stallion with a seven-figure offering in Book 1.
As much as there can be an underdog victory in the ultra-boutique Book 1 of the Keeneland September sale, Three Chimneys COO Chris Baker said Volatile had achieved it with his debut yearlings; especially considering the son of Violence's relatively modest initial stud fee of $17,500.
“We didn't think we'd have any Volatiles in Book 1,” he said. “We had one in Saratoga that sold very well, one of our own. Keeneland was high on them in general, and as a Book 1 that may be more physical-focused than in previous years, several Volatiles ended up in there, including two that we had which sold very well.
“Seeing his foals in his first and second crops, and how they've developed, and what the average one brings to the table physically in conformation, substance, and correctness, their natural muscle and the speedy look of their biomechanics, it's not surprising to me that he was very well received by the market,” Baker continued. “You wouldn't anticipate him being the leading first-year sire and the third overall sire at the end of Book 1.”
Volatile's three yearlings to sell in Book 1 all went through the ring during Tuesday's second session, led by Hip 215, a Three Chimneys-bred filly out of the multiple Grade 1-winning A.P. Indy mare Love and Pride who sold to Mike Rutherford for $1.15 million.
All six of Love and Pride's foals to race are winners, including stakes winners Bella Runner and Princesinha Julia. Her third dam is the 2006 Broodmare of the Year Cara Rafaela, producer of champion and top sire Bernardini.
“She, like so many of the offspring of Love and Pride just kind of reeked of quality and class, just a beautiful eye and beautiful head on her, and a lot of confidence in how she carries herself,” Baker said. “That was all there. She was also very powerful with her angles, the strength of her hind leg and shoulder, the depth of her heart girth. Physically, she was beautiful and carried herself well, and was a super good mover. When you add that depth of pedigree, it's a pretty uncommon depth of pedigree for a stallion in his stud fee range, but it was a reflection of our confidence in the horse to breed that kind of mare and other high-quality mares to him.”
Taylor Made Sales Agency consigned the seven-figure Volatile filly, as agent.
Much like the overall success of Volatile in Book 1 of the sale, Baker expected a strong performance from the filly, but the point when he knew she'd be a seven-figure sale horse was the same as everyone else.
“Right after when somebody bid $950,000 and the first person bid $1 million,” he said. “At any point before then, I would have said, 'You're kidding me.'”
Though the average sale price for practically any sire will steadily drift down as the Keeneland September book order floats into the blue-collar offerings, Volatile's early placing this high on the first-year sire list by average is a dramatic jump from last fall, when he ranked ninth among sires of weanlings with an average of $80,742 from 33 sold.
Volatile has 71 yearlings cataloged to this year's Keeneland September sale, the sixth most of the first-crop stallions in this class, meaning he'll have plenty more opportunities to create a commercial impression with his yearlings. Baker was bullish on Volatile's fortunes in the days to come.
“He is so consistent in the physicals he throws, it doesn't drop off,” he said. “We've got some in the later books that we're really excited about. Some of the mare quality pizzazz might come off, but I don't see a big dropoff in physicals.”
The post Volatile Leads First-Crop Sires By Book 1 Average At Keeneland September appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
Vibrant trade during Tuesday's second session of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale fueled increases in gross and average price, which were boosted by the sale of 15 horses for $1 million or more.
The partnership of Sonson, Woodford, West Point, LEB, agent, spent $3 million, the highest price paid at the auction since 2019, for a colt by Into Mischief who is a half-brother to Grade 1 winner and sire Outwork and from the family of recent Saratoga juvenile winner Fierceness. He was consigned by Lane's End, agent.
Keeneland sold eight million-dollar horses Monday. The 15 horses who reached that mark today – increasing the total number to 23 – are the most for the second session of the September Sale since 2007. The momentum carried throughout the entire session as the first horse through the ring sold for $1.3 million and the second-to-last horse brought $1.25 million.
On Tuesday, a total of 111 yearlings sold through the ring for $61,595,000, marking an 8.89 percent increase from the second session last year, when 106 horses brought $56,565,000. The average of $554,910 was 3.99 percent higher than last year's $533,632. The median decreased 8.11 percent from $462,500 to $425,000.
Cumulatively, 221 horses have grossed $116,925,000, for an average of $529,072 and a median of $400,000. The total is up 2.87 percent from last year's $113,660,000, while the average of $529,072 increased 2.41 percent above $516,636 in 2022. The median is 11.11 percent lower than last year's $450,000.
“It was a great day,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “Lots and lots of buyers, both domestic and international. Partnerships were active. The 15 top-priced horses were bought by 13 different buyers. There also was real diversity among consignors; many of them had success today. You felt the energy and enthusiasm in the Sales Pavilion and through the barns too.”
Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy agreed.
“The depth and diversity of the market are really encouraging,” Lacy said. “It was great to see new money still here. Japanese buyers were very active today. People are saying they are enjoying themselves again. It's good to see people happy. Look at Elm Tree having their first (seven-figure sale) and Brian Graves (of Gainesway) having a banner Book 1. For Mandy Pope (of breeder Whisper Hill Farm), her success at this sale is a testament to her breeding program.
“The average is up a little bit, the median is down a little bit,” Lacy added. “There was some softness in places. There's no doubt about that. But when you look at last year's comparable figures, we beat the gross over what was a really strong Book 1 by $3.5 million.”
The session-topping colt is out of the Empire Maker mare Nonna Mia. He is from the family of Fierceness, who won his Aug. 25 debut at Saratoga Race Course by 11¼ lengths, as well as Grade 2 winner and sire Cairo Prince.
“Beautiful colt,” Terry Finley of West Point said. “I was up at Saratoga when Fierceness won. I was awestruck by that performance. Young family (and) with Into Mischief, you don't have to say much. He was always at Lane's End so we knew a little about his upbringing. We are really excited and have a new group of partners who are in on him. We will try to get to the Derby in 2025.”
Selling a yearling for $3 million pleased Lane's End Director of Sales Allaire Ryan.
“When you bring an individual like him to this sale, you hope to be rewarded and that's what happened today,” Ryan said. “Over the past decade, of the horses we've raised at the farm he is right up there. He's always been a forward individual from Day 1. He's been a special horse for us.
“I'm just thrilled for everybody on the farm. To be entrusted (with) a mare like this for Mr. (Mike) Repole means a lot in and of itself, but to be able to raise a horse and bring him to an auction is rewarding for everybody.”
The $3 million colt was bred by Mike Repole's Repole Stable, the session's leading buyer with 11 yearlings purchased through West Bloodstock for $4,790,000.
“I'm trying to be the No. 1 buyer and No. 1 seller at the same sale,” Repole said. “It's just a great sale. I love the game whether it's claiming a $25,000 horse or buying stallions or buying mares or weanlings, 2-year-olds. I just have a lot of fun with the game.”
Gavin O'Connor, agent for John Stewart, paid $2.5 million for an Uncle Mo filly who is a half-sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Shedaresthedevil. Consigned by Denali Stud, agent for WinStar Farm Bred & Raised, she is from the family of Grade 2 winner Crafty C. T.
“She is a lovely filly,” O'Connor said. “I know the family personally; I worked for WinStar for five years. She is an unbelievable broodmare prospect. The residual value is there; we feel like we have a safe asset. (The price) was a little bit more than we wanted to go, but John is a buyer. John was on the phone, and he was giving us the clearance to keep going. We've had an incredible sale, and I think we are sealed up now. We're done. We have a total of 10 (purchased at the September Sale for a grand sum of $7.75 million). For John as a first-time owner, he has a really exciting stable of horses.”
“The atmosphere has been phenomenal,” Denali Vice President Conrad Bandoroff said. “My heart was in my throat for about five minutes while that filly was selling. Keeneland has done a tremendous job. The auctioneering team did a great job with that filly in particular. The market has set a strong tone to carry on for the next week and a half.”
Coolmore's M.V. Magnier purchased a colt by Into Mischief out of Grade 2 winner Princess Haya, by Street Cry (IRE), for $1.8 million. Consigned by St George Sales, agent, he is a half-brother to stakes winner and Grade 1-placed Lady Kate.
“He is a very good mover and Into Mischief is a very good sire and (his son) Practical Joke (who stands at Coolmore's Ashford Stud) is doing really well at the moment,” Magnier said. “(The market) has been incredible.”
Archie and Michelle St George's Brookstone Farm purchased the colt as a weanling at Keeneland's 2022 November Breeding Stock Sale for $550,000.
“I'm kind of speechless at the moment,” Archie St George said. “We're just very fortunate to have a horse as good as him. (His attributes are) his mind and physically he's a great horse. He's by a top-class stallion. He's just a very nice horse. I'd like to thank (buyer) Coolmore and their partners and wish them the best of luck. A lot of work has gone into the horse. I'd like to thank the lads at the farm and my wife, Michelle, Roger O'Callaghan and his dad.”
West Bloodstock, agent for Robert and Lawana Low, paid $1.35 million for a son of Not This Time who is a half-brother to Grade 1 winner and $2 million earner Bell's the One and Grade 3 winner King Cause. Airdrie Stud Raised and Offered consigned the colt, whose dam is the Street Cry (IRE) mare Street Mate and from the family of Grade 2 winner Tap Day.
Two horses brought $1.3 million apiece.
Sinandigain Stable spent the amount on the first horse in the ring, a filly by Tapit out of Lady Take Charge, by War Front, who was cataloged by Gainesway, agent. At Keeneland's 2015 November Breeding Stock Sale, Mandy Pope purchased Lady Take Charge, whose dam is Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Take Charge Lady as a weanling for a North American record $3.2 million.
Gainesway was the session's leading consignor with sales of $11,310,000 for 17 horses, including five horses for $1 million or more. On Monday, Gainesway sold three million-dollar horses, including the $2.3 million session topper.
“I don't believe we've had this many $1 million horses in one location before,” Gainesway General Manager Brian Graves said. “It's been a fantastic market, and we've been very fortunate they've landed on our horses. (Gainesway Sales has) worked hard for 20 years to do the best job we can for our clients. We've worked hard and had success for our clients over the years; hopefully, that's why they continue to support us.”
Larry Best's OXO Equine paid $1.3 million for a colt by Constitution consigned by Indian Creek, agent. Out of the Medaglia d'Oro mare Solo Uno, he is from the family of Grade/Group 2 winners Tom's Ready and Jean Gross.
“I thought he was one of the best colts in the sale,” Best said. “I paid more than I would want to. This particular auction, I've never seen one quite this strong. I knew he was going be around $1 million to get him. He's a beautiful specimen of a Constitution. He looks very racy, very athletic. When you buy colts it's a high-risk game. When you saw some of the other colts that I liked in the sale, they went for $2 million-plus. There is only so much money I want to invest in a colt. This was a good shot. We'll see how it works out.”
M.V. Magnier paid $1.25 million for a colt by Gun Runner from the family of champion Queena, Grade 1 winners Chic Shirine and Brahms, Grade 2 winner Chief Havoc and Grade 3 winner La Reina. Consigned by Gainesway, agent, he is out of the Arch mare Special Event.
Four yearlings sold for $1.2 million apiece.
Peter Fluor and K.C. Weiner's Speedway Stable acquired a daughter of Gun Runner from the family of Grade 1 winner and sire Dialed In for the amount. Consigned by Jody and Michelle Huckabay's Elm Tree Farm, agent, she is out of the Mineshaft mare Mama Yay and is a half-sister to stakes winner Empire House.
“Kind of emotional,” Jody Huckabay. “We have been doing this 35 years, and this was our first million-dollar horse. It's a big deal. We thought she was a very good filly and obviously a lot of people thought she was nice, but you never know.”
Agent Marette Farrell signed the ticket.
“It is a pedigree that Peter Fluor himself loved,” Farrell said. “It is an amazing pedigree as we know. The pedigree is one of the key inner-circle families. We now have three stallions – Collected, Roadster and Corniche – so we are trying to do things with a view towards buying fillies (to breed to them). We were the underbidder on this filly when she sold as a weanling. So we followed her and saw her here. She is so athletic and so light on her feet and has an amazing demeanor. I believe she is a runner, and I hope Peter and K.C. are lucky with her.”
A son of Into Mischief who is the first foal out of multiple Grade 1 winner Serengeti Empress, by Alternation, sold for $1.2 million to CHC Inc., Maverick Racing and Siena Farm. Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent, consigned the colt.
Selling to Hartley/De Renzo and BC Stables for $1.2 million was a filly by Into Mischief out of Silver Colors, by Mr. Greeley, consigned by Gainesway, agent. The filly is a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Eskimo Kisse. Her second dam is Racing Hall of Famer Winning Colors.
Selling to M.V. Magnier for $1.2 million was a colt by Into Mischief who is a half-brother to Grade 1 winners Gift Box and Gina Romantica along with Grade 2 winners Stonetastic and Special Forces. Out of Special Me, by Unbridled's Song, he was consigned by Machmer Hall Sales, agent for Machmer Hall I.
Spending $1.15 million, Mike G. Rutherford acquired a daughter of Volatile out of multiple Grade 1 winner Love and Pride, by A.P. Indy, who was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent. A half-sister to stakes winners Bella Runner and Princesinha Julia, the filly is from the family of champion and leading sire Bernardini.
Two yearlings each sold for $1.1 million.
Donato Lanni, agent for SF/Starlight/Madaket, spent the amount on a colt by Into Mischief who is a half-brother to multiple Grade 1 winner Guarana for the amount. He was consigned by Gainesway, agent.
Selling to Shadwell Racing for $1.1 million was Star of Bombay, a daughter of Medaglia d'Oro who is a half-sister to 2023 Lake Placid (G2) winner Aspray. Out of the Galileo (IRE) mare Up (IRE), she was consigned by Lane's End, agent.
Grandview Equine paid $1 million for a colt by Curlin out of champion Songbird, by Medaglia d'Oro. From the family of Grade 2 winner Ivanavinalot and Grade 3 winner Mico Margarita, he was consigned by Gainesway, agent.
The third session of the September Sale, which marks the first day of the two-day Book 2, begins Wednesday at 11 a.m. ET. The entire sale is streamed live at Keeneland.com.
The post $3 Million Into Mischief Colt Paces Second Day Of Keeneland September Sale appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
by Jessica Martini & Christina Bossinakis
LEXINGTON, KY – With the very first horse through the ring bringing $1.3 million, the second session of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale was off to the races Tuesday and the action didn't slow down throughout the day as the second-to-last offering brought $1.25 million. In between, 13 other yearlings sold for seven figures, including a colt by Into Mischief who brought top price of $3 million from the partnership of Chuck Sonson, West Point Thoroughbreds and Woodford.
With eight million-dollar yearlings Monday, the two-session Book 1 section concluded with 23 yearlings bringing $1 million or more.
“It was a great day with lots and lots of different buyers, the partnerships were active, it was active from the domestic side as well as the international side,” said Keeneland President Shannon Arvin. “The 15 top prices were bought by 13 different buyers. And there was also a real diversity among the consignors, which was really nice to see. There were a lot of consignors who had a lot of success today.”
Figures for the marathon auction continue to track very closely with its record-setting 2022 renewal. In all, 221 yearlings sold during Book 1 this year for a total of $116,925,000. During last year's Book 1 section, 220 yearlings grossed $113,660,000 as the auction was well on its way to recording its first-ever gross over $400,000,000.
“Going in, I didn't think it would be fair for us to expect that we could replicate last year,” said Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy. “But I think when you look at the numbers–obviously the median is down a little, the average is up a little bit–but overall the fact that the gross is up over $3.5 million from last year is incredible. When you look at the numbers through the ring that got sold, it's very, very comparable.”
The Book 1 average of $529,072 is up 2.41% from a year ago, while the median dipped 11.11% to $400,000.
From a catalogue of 392 yearlings, 302 went through the ring with 81 failing to meet their reserves for a buy-back rate of 26.82%. It was 21.99% a year ago.
“A lot of people don't have to sell,” Lacy said. “When you have a purse structure and people are enjoying it so much, they are happy to race.”
Gainesway was the book's leading consignor with 29 horses sold for $20,920,000. The farm sold eight of the book's 23 million-dollar yearlings, with five coming from Mandy Pope's Whisper Hill Farm broodmare band.
“We had high expectations coming in,” Gainesway's Brian Graves said. “I wasn't sure we had as many million-dollar horses to sell as we actually did. The market proved to be really strong. But we knew we had a really good group of horses for our clients. The market is alive and well.”
Mike Repole continued to lead all buyers at the auction. On his own, the New Yorker purchased 21 yearlings for $8,135,000, while in partnership with Spendthrift Partners, he acquired an additional two yearlings for $1.2 million.
In addition to his activity buying, Repole also bred and sold the section's $3-million topper through the Lane's End consignment.
Into Mischief continued to dominate the top of the market. The Spendthrift stallion had 11 seven-figure yearlings and a total of 31 head grossing $27,910,000. Coolmore's Uncle Mo, with four seven-figure yearlings, had 17 Book 1 horses sell for $12,495,000. The duo were represented by nine of the book's top 10 yearlings.
The Keeneland September sale continues with Book 2 sessions Wednesday and Thursday beginning at 11 a.m. Following a dark day Friday, the auction continues through Sept. 23 with sessions beginning daily at 10 a.m.
$3M Into Mischief Colt Heads Day 2
Continuing to underscore the sheer sire power of Into Mischief on this year's yearling market, Hip 261, a colt by the Spendthrift sire out GISP Nonna Mia (Empire Maker) landed a $3-million final bid from the partnership of West Point Thoroughbreds, Woodford Racing and Chuck Sonson.
“This is a beautiful colt. This is a young family [and] with Into Mischief, you don't have to say much. He was always in the hands of Lane's End, so we knew a little about his upbringing,” said Terry Finley, who handled the signing duties from inside the pavilion. “We are really excited and have a new group of partners who are in on him. We will try to get to the Derby in 2025.”
Terry Finley & Chuck Sonson | Keeneland
Of the session-topping yearling, Finley added, “I thought he'd bring a significant amount of money. You never know. After they bring $1.5-$2 million, you never really know where you're going to stop. I was just glad that we got to a point where I thought it was a 'reasonable' amount of money, if you can in fact call $3 million reasonable for a racehorse that has never had a saddle on his back.”
The buying partnership also combined to purchase Hip 220 and Hip 225, a pair of $800,000 colts by Candy Ride (Arg) and Quality Road.
The Feb. 11 foal was consigned by agent, Lane's End.
“When you bring an individual like him to this sale, you hope to be rewarded and that's what happened today,” said Lane's End's Allaire Ryan. “Over the past decade, of the horses we've raised at the farm, he is right up there. He's always been a forward individual from Day 1. He's been a special horse for us.”
She continued, “All the top players you think would be interested in a future stallion prospect like him. I'm just thrilled for everybody on the farm. To be entrusted to a mare like this for Mr. Repole means a lot in and of itself but to be able to raise a horse and bring him to an auction is rewarding for everybody.”
While showing moderate ability on the track, Nonna Mia has already proved her mettle in the breeding shed, producing GI Wood Memorial winner Outwork (Uncle Mo), in addition to SP Nonna's Boy (Distorted Humor).
Commanding the spotlight at $3 million!
Hip 261, an Into Mischief colt out of Nonna Mia and a half to Outwork, sells for $3 million to Sonson, Woodford, West Point, LEB, Agent. He was consigned by @LanesEndFarms. #KeeSept pic.twitter.com/ZCCmg0AP2a
— Keeneland Sales (@keenelandsales) September 12, 2023
Day 1 Leading Buyer Repole Returns Tuesday with Breeding Score
Mike Repole was busy spending through Book 1, purchasing 11 yearlings, alone or in partnership, for just a tick under $3.945 million. Recouping some of that cash during Tuesday's session, Repole sat front and center with his team when a homebred colt out of a horse he campaigned, Nonna Mia, lit up the board.
“She was named after my grandmother,” he said. “I named the horse in 2009. My grandmother passed away in 2020. So she's very special to me.”
A half-sister to MGSW Cairo Prince (Pioneerof the Nile), Nonna Mia was a $200,000 purchase by Repole from the Mill Ridge consignment at the 2008 renewal of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale.
According to Repole, the 16-year-old mare currently resides at Lane's End.
“Nonna Mia is getting up in age, maybe she has one more in her, maybe not,” he said.
The pedigree received a significant bump at Saratoga when Repole homebred Fierceness (City of Light), a son out of Nonna Mia's daughter Nonna Bella (Stay Thirsty), blew the doors off to earn 'TDN Rising Star' status Aug. 25.
“She also gave me Outwork and a horse I think is the best 2-year-old, Fierceness, who is going to the GI Champagne S.,” he confirmed. “So, we're lucky to have her.”
Underscoring the importance of the recent update to the colt's catalog page, Finley added, “I was up at Saratoga when Fierceness ran. I was awestruck by that performance.”
During Tuesday's session, Repole was also an active buyer, securing an additional 12 yearlings, 11 alone and one in partnership, for a gross of $5,390,000.
“I want to be the leading buyer and leading seller one day,” he quipped. “But I am passionate about all aspects of this game. Stallions, stallion shares, broodmares, buying, selling, weanlings, yearlings, even claiming horses for $12,500.
“I just enjoy the game. I like to play it at every single level I can and try to as well as we can do. I enjoy winning.”
Asked whether he will be back for Book 2 and 3, Repole laughed, “We'll be buying today, tomorrow, and the next day. Don't forget, we bought [juvenile champion] Forte in [Keeneland's] Book 4. Winners can come from anywhere.”–@CbossTDN
Stewart Strikes for Uncle Mo Filly
John Stewart, who made a big splash during Monday's first session of the Keeneland September sale, took his biggest swing of the week when going to $2.5 million to acquire a filly by Uncle Mo (hip 337). While Stewart was at the sale in person during the first session, he left bidding Tuesday to agent Gavin O'Connor and farm manager Chelsey Stone.
“She's an unbelievable filly,” O'Connor said after signing the ticket on the yearling who was consigned by Denali Stud as agent for breeder, WinStar Farm. “Uncle Mo is the sire of incredible fillies.”
The yearling is out of Starship Warpspeed (Congrats) and is a half-sister to GI Kentucky Oaks winner Shedaresthedevil (Daredevil).
“I know the family personally,” O'Connor said. “I used to work for WinStar. I spent five years under Dave [Hanley] and Elliott [Walden]. So I have had babies out of the mare. They have a full-brother in training and he looks very promising as well.”
O'Connor, who was on the phone with Stewart during the bidding, admitted they had to stretch to get the filly.
“It was a little bit more than we wanted to go, but like we've said, John is a buyer,” he said. “I thought we were going to have her at $2.2 there, and then it went 3, 4, 5, and I thought, 'How far can we go here?'”
He added, “She's just an unbelievable broodmare prospect. She's an incredible filly. And the residual value is there. We just feel we have a safe asset at that price.”
Stewart purchased 10 yearlings during Book 1 for a total of $7,750,000. In addition to his $2.5-million acquisition, the Lexington financier also paid $1 million for a colt by Into Mischief (hip 147), a colt by Constitution (hip 135) for $850,000 and another son of Into Mischief (hip 83) for $800,000.
“We are done now,” O'Connor said. “We've got a really exciting stable of horses to go on with.” @JessMartiniTDN
All eyes on hip 337 as the Shedaresthedevil half sister by Uncle Mo sells for $2.5 million! Consigned by @denalistud for @winstarfarm, purchased by Gavin O'Connor for John Stewart. #KeeSept pic.twitter.com/L6AHvoVGUD
— Keeneland Sales (@keenelandsales) September 12, 2023
Into Mischief Colt Rewards St George Team
Archie and Michelle St George, along with pinhooking partners Tony and Roger O'Callaghan of Tally-Ho Stud, hit a home run Tuesday at Keeneland when selling a colt by Into Mischief (hip 283) for $1.8 million to Coolmore's M.V. Magnier. The team had acquired the dark bay for $550,000 at last year's Keeneland November sale.
“I'm kind of speechless at the moment,” Archie St George admitted as Magnier signed the ticket on the yearling. “We're just very fortunate to have a horse as good as him. It's a huge team effort, with everyone at home, Roger and his dad and my wife Michelle and all the lads. A lot of work has gone into the horse and this is a huge thrill.”
Arthur St George | Keeneland
The yearling is out of Princess Haya (Street Cry {Ire}) and is a half-brother to stakes winner and Grade I placed Lady Kate (Bernardini).
Asked about the nerves associated with buying a pinhook prospect for $550,000, St George said, “It's nerve-wracking, but it's high risk-high reward. It's the quality of the horse. It's a huge team effort. I'd like to thank Coolmore and their partners and wish them the best of luck.”
Magnier, who purchased a son of Uncle Mo for $1.35 million Monday, was making his second purchase of the Keeneland sale. Magnier later added a $1.25-million Gun Runner colt late in the session.
“He is a very good mover and Into Mischief is a very good sire and [his son] Practical Joke is doing really well [as a sire] at the moment,” Magnier said of hip 283. @JessMartiniTDN
$1.35M Not This Time Colt Gives Airdrie Sentimental Score
Offering a small but select group of yearlings in this year's Book 1, Airdrie Stud once again showed quality over quantity often wins the day when it comes to the sales. Underscoring that point this week, Hip 344, a colt by Not This Time, drew a tidy $1.35 million final bid from Jacob West, who was bidding on behalf of Robert and Lawana Low. Over the course of two days, Airdrie sold all three of the yearlings it offered, amassing $2,475,000 in gross receipts while averaging $825,000. Airdrie also sold a Nyquist filly (Hip 31) for $750,000 on Day 1 and a $375,000 colt (Hip 356) by Complexity Tuesday.
After selling its priciest yearling so far this season, Airdrie's Bret Jones, who also bred the colt, said, “Special is the right word. A little overwhelming. I'm feeling a little sentimental right now, thinking about dad [Brereton C. Jones] and thinking how many memories we get from these great horses, these horse sales, horse races.”
Bret Jones | Keeneland
The Mar. 8 foal is out of Street Mate (Street Cry {Ire}), dam of Grade I winner Bell's The One (Majesticperfection) and GSW King Cause (Creative Cause). The 15-year-old mare, who was a $35,000 purchase at Keeneland November in 2012, is a half-sister to GSW and GISP Tap Day (Pleasant Tap)
Jones continued, “The colt has always been beautiful. He is by the right stallion. And the mare has been incredible to us. It's a really special family. He has always lived up to that family. He is just so good looking and makes you think he can be a special horse on the racetrack. The horse vetted perfectly clean which is always nice.”
When asked about the reserve, Jones didn't miss a beat.
“[The bidding] went past his reserve as fast as I hope he passes horses in a Grade I.”–@CbossTDN
Best Packs $1.3M Punch to Land Constitution Colt
The name Into Mischief seemed to be on nearly everyone's lips following a buying blitz of the sire's offspring during the first two days of selling. And while not generating the same headlines, at least not by sheer volume, WinStar's Constitution paved a slightly more subtle road while still packing a punch with five yearlings realizing $2,980,000, yielding a robust $596,000 average on Day 2. Leading the fray Tuesday was Hip 324, a bay colt who realized a $1.3 million final bid from Larry Best's OXO Equine. The purchase was Best's sole purchase on the afternoon.
“I thought he was one of the best colts in the sale,” said Best. “I paid more than I would want to. This particular auction I've never seen one quite this strong. I knew he was going be around $1 million to get him. But he's a beautiful specimen of a Constitution. He looks very racey, very athletic.”
Bred by Kindred Stables, the Mar. 26 foal was consigned by Indian Creek. The bay is out of the unraced Solo Uno (Medaglia d'Oro), a half-sister to MGSW and GISP Tom's Ready (More Than Ready).
“When you buy colts it's a high risk game,” Best said. “And when you saw some of the other colts that I liked in the sale they went for $2-million plus. There is only so much money I want to invest in a colt. This was a good shot. We'll see how it works out.”
@CbossTDN
Serengeti Empress's First Foal in Demand
The first foal out of GI Kentucky Oaks winner Serengeti Empress (Alternation), a son of the omnipresent Into Mischief, was scooped up by the partnership of WinStar Farm's Maverick Racing, Siena Farm and CHC, Inc. for $1.2 million Tuesday at Keeneland.
“If he didn't break his ribs as a foal, he might have topped the sale,” said WinStar Farm's Elliott Walden. “We saw him on the farm and David [Hanley] and I both loved him. He's out of an Oaks winner on a Distorted Humor cross. Hopefully he can do some great things on the racetrack.”
Serengeti Empress was one of the first yearlings Joel Politi purchased when he decided to purchase young fillies with the goal of raising his own broodmare band from scratch. Politi and trainer Todd Amoss purchased the future Oaks winner for $70,000 at the 2017 Keeneland September sale.
After watching the mare's first foal go through the ring Tuesday, Politi admitted, “It was emotional watching him go through the ring. I had a lot of second thoughts in the back ring. I was thinking, 'My goodness, he is so good-looking.' But we set a price that we would be ok with him moving on. I am being practical about the whole thing. So you can't argue with it really. He's going to a great place. WinStar is a first-class operation. They will take good care of him and they will have him here in Kentucky and we can come visit him, so it's a win-win.” @JessMartiniTDN
A Racing Prospect for Hartley/DeRenzo
Randy Hartley and Dean DeRenzo are typically active in the pinhooking sphere, but with new partner Rich Mendez expanding his footprint in the industry, the Ocala horsemen acquired a racing prospect in a $1.2-million daughter of Into Mischief (hip 316). Also partnering on the yearling is John Bellinger and Brian Coelho's BC Stables.
Bred and consigned by Gainesway, the gray filly is out of Silver Colors (Mr. Greeley) and is a half to GI Alabama S. winner Eskimo Kisses (To Honor and Serve) and a granddaughter of GI Kentucky Derby winner Winning Colors.
Hip 316 Into Mischief–Silver Colors filly | ThoroStride
“For us, she was the pick filly of this book,” Hartley said. “It's just such a great female family and we just felt like if we put enough guys together, we could get her. To have a half-sister to a Grade I Alabama winner and the grandmother a Kentucky Derby winner, you just don't get those pedigrees that often. So she was a filly we thought we really needed to have in the barn.”
A Miami music titan, Mendez has been on both sides of seven-figure transactions this year. He purchased an Into Mischief colt for $1.3 million at the OBS April Sale. Now named Urban Legend, the juvenile is in training out west with Bob Baffert. Mendez was also involved in seven-figure pinhooks with Hartley/DeRenzo at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May sale and at last month's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale.
Asked if the purchase of this well-bred filly indicated Mendez would consider getting into the breeding side of the business, Hartley said, “We are thinking about it for sure. This would obviously be one you'd want in your barn. My favorite saying is black cats have black kittens and she's a beautiful filly, so I think she would definitely have beautiful babies. It was just a pedigree that you very rarely get and we felt like we really had to stretch to get her. But we were taking her home.” @JessMartiniTDN
All Into Mischief, All The Time
Continuing the feeding frenzy for colts, specifically those by Into Mischief, a son of the Spendthrift sire joined the millionaire's club when reeling in a $1.2-million final bid from Team Coolmore at Keeneland Tuesday. Led by M.V. Magnier, the group held their customary spot out back, picking up their fourth purchase, also the fourth seven-figure buy, of Book 1. Offered as Hip 331, the flashy grey was consigned by Machmer Hall, who also bred the colt.
“I'm overwhelmed,” said Carrie Brogden, standing alongside her mother, Sandy Fubini. “I had no idea he was going to bring that much money. Personally, that is our most expensive yearling. We've sold 2-year-olds for more, but that is our most expensive yearling. We are overjoyed.”
Commenting on the price, she admitted, “Our reserve was well below $500,000. We're sellers and breeders. We're here to sell our horses.”
Sandy Fubini & Carrie Brogden | Keeneland
The Feb. 26 foal is out of Special Me (Unbridled's Song), who failed to distinguish herself on the racetrack, allowing Craig and Carrie Brogden to swoop in to secure the mare for a mere $6,000 at Keeneland January in 2009. Subsequent to that most fortuitous purchase, the mare produced GI Santa Anita H. winner Gift Box (Twirling Candy), MGSW and GISP Stonetastic and MGSW Special Forces. She is also responsible for GI QEII Challenge Cup S. heroine Gina Romantica (Into Mischief), herself a $1.025 million purchase at Keeneland September in 2020.
“We're never going to get another mare like her,” Brogden said. “We have a Twirling Candy filly for 2023 and it'll be a hard decision whether she comes up here or not because we can buy a lot of new broodmares for a million dollars. She is tough as nails. She is in foal to Flightline right now, but we might have to send her back to Into Mischief after this.”
Armed with both top-class runners on both the dirt and turf, Brogden admitted she doesn't see any limitations to what this colt will be able to do.
“I wouldn't be surprised if he is a great dirt horse or if he is a great turf horse,” she said.
Seeming to have the knack for coming up with pricey sales prospects out of inexpensive mares, Brogden explained Machmer Hall's overall breeding philosophy.
“We just try to go with the families we like and understand what we can afford,” she explained. “For example, I bought Stonetastic's daughter for $400,000 because I can afford that. I can't afford Stonetastic even though we bred her. You have to know the families you are dealing with.”
“And I have to thank Unbridled's Song once again. [Monday] we sold six yearlings, three of them out of Unbridled's Song mares.”
While the Machmer Hall team can credit hard work, commitment and diligence to much of their success, Brogden is quick to point out that sometimes the intangibles can also come into play.
“We had two yearlings struck and killed this year and [the Into Mischief colt] was in the same field with them,” she said. “And there were only 14 of them. We got lucky it wasn't him.”–@CbossTDN
Volatile Filly Sparks Three Chimneys' Day
Three Chimneys Farm, which hit it out of the park with the fast-starting stallion career of Gun Runner, could have another stallion success in the making after a first-crop daughter of Volatile (hip 215) sold for $1.15 million to the bid of Mike Rutherford Tuesday at Keeneland.
“I don't think you could write it out any better than to have a $1.15-million filly in the first crop, but those are the kind of mares that we bred to him,” said Three Chimneys' Chris Baker. “That's the kind of confidence that we have in him.”
The filly, consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, was bred by Three Chimneys and is out of multiple Grade I winner Love and Pride (A.P. Indy).
“She was a spectacular filly,” Baker said of the yearling. “She deserved that kind of recognition. She is that special. We wish Mr. Rutherford all the luck in the world with her.”
Three Chimneys purchased Volatile (Violence) in partnership for $850,000 at the 2017 Keeneland September sale. The gray won the 2020 GI Alfred G. Vanderbilt H. and stood this season at Three Chimneys for $12,500.
“Volatile has consistently produced great physicals, horses with scope and substance that look fast,” Baker said. “And he was fast. It's really been pleasant to see how consistently he has race horse physical types. So we are as excited as we can be right now.”
Of the stallion's first seven-figure yearling, Baker said, “With a horse that started at his initial stud fee, it is a pleasant surprise–it's not shocking, but it's a pleasant surprise.”
Three Chimneys came right back with another seven-figure yearling when a colt by Into Mischief (hip 218), co-bred with Mandy Pope's Whisper Hill Farm, sold for $1.1 million to the SF/Starlight/Madaket partnership.
Consigned by Gainesway, the yearling is out of Magical World (Distorted Humor) and is a half-brother to multiple Grade I winner Guarana (Ghostzapper). Guarana's Into Mischief colt sold for $1.4 million during Monday's first session of the September sale.
“Nothing would have surprised me with him,” Baker said. “I think he is an exceptional colt. He's a great-moving colt with a great pedigree–by a top sire out of a top mare. So I think he is well sold and I expect to hear more about him in the future.”
Also Tuesday, Three Chimneys sold a filly by Munnings (hip 280) for $700,000 to Shadwell. The yearling is out of Princesa Carolina (Tapit). @JessMartiniTDN
Gun Runner Filly to Speedway
Marette Farrell, bidding on behalf of Peter Fluor and K.C. Weiner's Speedway Stable, went to $1.2 million to acquire a filly by Gun Runner (hip 222) from Jody and Michelle Huckabay's Elm Tree Farm consignment. The Huckabays were selling the youngster on behalf of Dell Ennis, who purchased the filly for $625,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton November sale.
“She is so athletic and so light on her feet and has an amazing demeanor,” Farrell said. “I believe she is a runner and I hope Peter and K.C. are lucky with her.”
The bay is out of Mama Yay (Mineshaft), an unraced full-sister to Dialed In and a half to Broadway Gold (Seeking the Gold). The yearling is a half-sister to stakes winner Empire House (Empire Maker).
“It is a pedigree that Peter Fluor himself loved,” Farrell said. “We now have three stallions–Collected, Roadster and Corniche–so we are trying to do things with a view towards buying fillies [to breed to them]. We were the underbidder on this filly when she sold as a weanling. So we followed her and saw her here.”
Ennis said the filly's pedigree was what attracted him to her at Fasig-Tipton last November.
“I loved her,” Ennis said. “I loved the pedigree. I love Miss Doolittle and I love Mama Yay.”
The filly was Ennis's lone pinhook of the year and the Virginian admitted to some pre-sale jitters.
“I woke up at 2:22 this morning and couldn't sleep,” he said. “She is so classy and confident in herself. You are going to be writing about her again.”
Tuesday's seven-figure transaction was an emotional one for veteran horseman Jody Huckabay.
“I've been doing this for 35 years and this was my first million-dollar horse,” a visibly moved Huckabay said after watching the filly sell. “We thought she was a very, very good filly and obviously a lot of people thought she was nice. But you never know.”
Huckabay and Ennis were enjoying their first collaboration at the Keeneland sale.
“Dell bought this filly and called me and said, 'I hear you raise a good horse,' and he sent her to me. I met him yesterday [for the first time]. So I didn't know him. But things worked out. It's a very exciting day.”
Of the decision to send the weanling to Elm Tree last November, Ennis said, “I interviewed several farms and at the time, [Huckabay] checked the boxes for us. He could take the filly right from the sale, so he checked the boxes. I have a very good rapport with several other farms in Kentucky and I love them as well. Jody and Michelle are very hands on and they pay attention to detail. And that's what it takes to get a horse in that ring from a weanling.”
This is not the first time the bay filly has rewarded her connections in the sales ring. She was bred by Mark Erlandson, who purchased Mama Yay for $20,000 at the 2020 Keeneland November sale. Erlandson sent the Gun Runner filly through the sales ring at Fasig-Tipton last year through the New Hill Farm consignment. @JessMartiniTDN
Into Mischief Continues Powerful Run Into Day 2
Picking up where he left off Monday, Into Mischief was represented by his first seven-figure yearling of the session when Hip 218 reeled in $1.1 million from agent Donato Lanni. Tom Ryan signed the ticket on behalf of prolific partnership of SF Bloodstock, Starlight and Madaket.
“There is no mystery about the stallion,” Ryan said. “It's a very unique pedigree. Just a fantastic piece of paper. And it's rare you have the opportunity to buy into that sort of bloodline. So we're glad to be involved.”
According to Ryan, the colt will go to Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert.
“Donato loved him and so did Bob. Our own team, John Moynihan was involved too. We're excited to have him.”
Whisper Hill Farm and Three Chimneys Farm bred the colt in partnership. The Apr. 20 foal is out of Magical World (Distorted Humor), most notably the dam of GI Acorn S. winner Guarana (Ghostzapper). The colt is also half to SW Beatbox (Pioneerof the Nile) and SW and GSP Magic Dance (More Than Ready). The family includes GI Breeders' Cup Distaff winner Pleasant Home (Seeking the Gold).
Following a lucrative streak, Mandy Pope's Whisper Hill, in partnership with Three Chimneys Farm, extended to $5.2 million to secure Magic World while carrying this foal at Fasig-Tipton November in 2021. Last term, the partnership dipped into the family again to purchase Magical World's colt by Quality Road for $1.1 million. Guarana herself was a $4.4-million purchase at Fasig-Tipton November in 2021.
The family had its desirability in full display Monday when a son of Guarana, also by Into Mischief, brought $1.4 million.
During Tuesday's session, Lanni also secured Hip 207, a colt by Into Mischief out of Late Night Pow Wow (Fiber Sonde) for $900,000 and Hip 243, a colt by Justify ($625,000) for the same partnership. —@CbossTDN
Seven-Figure Book 1 Parade for Pope
Mandy Pope, who has steadily been building a high-octane broodmare band, reaped the benefits of her investments during Book 1, selling five seven-figure yearlings over the two sessions. Leading the way was a $1.7-million son of Into Mischief (hip 162) who sold Monday. Pope got Tuesday's second session of the auction off to a quick start when the first horse through the ring, a daughter of Tapit (hip 202), sold for $1.3 million to the internet bid of Sinandigan Stable. Also Tuesday, Pope, in partnership with Three Chimneys Farm, sold a colt by Into Mischief (hip 218) for $1.1 million to the SF/Starlight/Madaket partnership; and a colt by Curlin out of champion Songbird (hip 325) for $1 million to Grandview Equine.
Mandy Pope | Keeneland
“It's been a lot of hard working buying the right mares,” Pope said. “We worked hard buying excellent race mares and trying to reproduce them. This has been an awesome day for us.”
Asked how the results in the sales ring matched up to her expectations, Pope said, “We thought a couple of them would sell that well. A couple of them were surprises for the better and one or two were not. The usual thing.”
Pope's Book 1 yearlings were at the forefront of a big two days for the Gainesway consignment.
“Mandy has invested a lot of time and a lot of money and it's starting to yield dividends,” said Gainesway's Brian Graves. @JessMartiniTDN
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