Tag: Becky Thomas

Diverse Buying Bench Powers Electric Keeneland November Opener

by Jessica Martini & Christina Bossinakis

LEXINGTON, KY – The Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale gained momentum throughout its opening session and concluded a day of competitive bidding Wednesday evening with 11 seven-figure mares and a median up 30% from its 2022 counterpart.

“It was a good day. It was a really good day,” said Keeneland President Shannon Arvin. “We were really pleased with the session overall. The theme of the century seems to be that the quality sells and there was really high demand for the quality. There was great international participation, but plenty of domestic participation as well. There was a real diversity among the buyers. It was a very, very strong market.”

During Wednesday's session, 120 horses grossed $54,340,000. The average of $452,833 was down 8% from the corresponding 2022 session, which included a $4.6-million fractional interest in champion Flightline. The median of $375,000 was up 29.31% from a year ago.

White Hot (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) was the day's top seller in the ring, when BBA Ireland's Michael Donohoe bid $2.1 million for the dam of Pizza Bianca (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), but the session had a post-sale topper when Puca (Big Brown), carrying a full-sibling to GI Kentucky Derby winner Mage (Good Magic), was purchased by John Stewart for $2.9 million after initially being led out of the ring unsold. The mare capped a busy couple of days for Stewart, who also purchased a colt by Curlin for $600,000 Wednesday, as well as seven horses Tuesday at Fasig-Tipton for $13,350,000.

“There is a lot of confidence in the breeding industry right now,” said Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy. “I think the median jumping just over 30% when you include Puca, is a significant increase.”

Shadwell Racing, which purchased the co-topping weanling at Fasig-Tipton Tuesday, purchased Wednesday's highest-priced foal when going to $750,000 for a colt by Gun Runner (hip 154) from the Taylor Made Sales Agency consignment. The colt was the top of a particularly vibrant weanling market Wednesday.

Last year's November Book 1 section had six weanlings sell for $400,000 or more. Twelve hit that mark Wednesday.

“The foal market was especially strong, we thought today,” said Arvin. “We had double the number of foals this year sell for $400,000 or more than last.”

With 65 horses reported not sold, Wednesday's buy-back rate was 35.14%. It was 26.49% a year ago.

“There was some protectionism in the market,” said Lacy. “A lot of people were setting reserves that were not letting horses go. They were not going to sell them short. There were quality mares not being sold off cheap which I think is great for the industry. When you speak to the sellers, they were comfortable that they were not going to sell this one below a certain value. And that's ok.”

The Keeneland November sale continues through Nov. 16 with sessions beginning daily at 10 a.m.

Mage's Dam Puca Brings $2.9M

Plenty of the pre-sale hype revolved around Case Clay Thoroughbred Management's initial sales offering, including the big mare–Puca (Big Brown) (Hip 191)–dam of this season's GI Kentucky Derby winner Mage (Good Magic). Initially led out of the ring unsold at $2.8 million, the 11-year-old mare later found a home with Lexington financier John Stewart, who snapped the mare up for $2.9 million.

Clay sold the mare on behalf of Robert Clay's Grandview Equine, who purchased her in foal to Gun Runner for $475,000 at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale in 2018.

Puca | Keeneland

“What we were fine with, RNAing her, was that Good Magic Baby in her belly,” Clay explained. “We were confident in her value, and fortunately, John Stewart recognized that.”

Puca, a half-sister to Grade I winner and $1.5-million earner Finnegans Wake (Powerscourt {GB}), is also responsible for multiple stakes placed Gunning (Gun Runner) and Dornoch, a full-brother to Mage. Runner up in the Sapling S. at Monmouth this past summer, he came back to graduate impressively going a mile and a sixteenth at Keeneland Oct. 14. To further bolster her resume, Puca's yearling colt by McKinzie also realized $1.2 million at the Keeneland September Sale.

“He's buying a queen,” Clay said of Puca. “She is the dam of Derby winner and black-type for the first three foals. If Dornoch wins the [Dec. 2] GII Remsen S. [at Aqueduct], she's 'Broodmare of the Year'.”

The daughter of SP Boat's Ghost (Silver Ghost) sold carrying a full-sibling to the Derby hero.

Clay underscored, “I really think that's her fair market value. Dams of Kentucky Derby winners don't come along in the same year. It's been a long time since that has happened.”

Later in the sale, Clay also sold the second half of his maiden consignment–Dalika (Ger) (Pastorius {Ger})–to Bryant Prentice's Pursuit of Success for $1.65 million.

“I am really grateful to both Paul Varga [owner of Dalika] and Grandview for giving me the opportunity to sell them. And for Bryant Prentice who purchased Dalika and John Stewart for buying Puca. I am excited for them too. I think they bought beautiful mares.”–@CbossTDN

White Hot in Demand at Keeneland

After bloodstock agent Michael Donohoe of BBA Ireland, bidding on behalf of an undisclosed client, got outbid on GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner Pizza Bianca (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) at Fasig-Tipton Tuesday night, he went to $2.1 million to acquire that filly's dam, White Hot (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) (hip 170) Wednesday at Keeneland.

“She is a Galileo mare and she's the dam of a Group 1-winning juvenile,” Donohoe said of the 10-year-old mare who sold in foal to Into Mischief. “She is in foal to a champion stallion. So she made a lot of sense. It's a great family and those Galileo mares, you can see what they can do around the world as broodmare sires. We are happy to get her.”

 

White Hot was consigned by Stone Farm on behalf of Bobby Flay, who purchased the mare as a yearling for 1,250,000gns at the 2014 Tattersalls October sale. While the bay never made it to the races, her first foal was Pizza Bianca, who sold for $3 million Tuesday night.

“Pizza Bianca made all of that money last night at Fasig-Tipton,” Donohoe said. “We had a good go at her last night.”

Out of Gwynn (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}), White Hot is a half-sister to G1 Epsom Derby winner Pour Moi (Montjeu {Ire}).

“I bought her for an existing client and she will probably stay in the States and foal here,” Donohoe said.

Of a potential mating in 2024, Donohoe said, “We will see what kind of baby comes out of her. But those Galileo mares, you can cover them to most of the stallions based here in the States.”

While Donohoe declined to name his client, the Irishman has previously bought several high-profile fillies and mares for Yuesheng Zhang's Yulong.

Lynn Hancock of Stone Farm said it was a good result from both sides of the transaction.

“Obviously, great sale, but she's a lovely mare,” Hancock said. “She's beautiful, looks the part. Her first foal is a Breeders' Cup champion. So, you can't ask any more of a mare than that. We're happy with that.”

Of the price, Hancock added, “I think she's worth every penny of it. She's a lovely mare, she's beautiful. She acted like a queen in the back ring and she is in foal to a hot sire.” @JessMartiniTDN

Juddmonte Strikes Late for Ack Naughty

After getting shut out on a number of high-profile mares at Fasig-Tipton Tuesday and earlier in the first session of the Keeneland November session, Juddmonte Farm's Garrett O'Rourke finally got his mare when acquiring Ack Naughty (Afleet Alex) (hip 246) for $1.8 million. The 11-year-old mare, who sold in foal to Into Mischief, was consigned by Sequel New York as agent for Chester and Mary Broman. She is the dam of ill-fated Grade I winner Practical Move (Practical Joke).

 

“We were at the sales yesterday and we were here again today for Puca,” said O'Rourke. “This felt like the last legitimate big, good-looking mare. Obviously, she is the dam of a Grade I winner and she's in foal to Into Mischief, who is a stallion we have had a lot of success with and we breed to every year. There is the opportunity to keep on doing the same mating if the family would want to do that. We are happy with her. She's my type of mare–a nice, big, strong mare with great bone, a good race mare and a good producer already. So I'm glad we got something.”

O'Rourke admitted it's been tough bidding, both at Newtown Paddocks Tuesday and Wednesday at Keeneland.

“It's been hard in there,” he said. “The top end, as everyone says, is just killer strong. It's just like people are buying art in a hot market. It's hard to put a value on them at this level. If you want them, you've got to pay for them. And we weren't able to get there earlier today. This was our last chance and I'm delighted to have something to bring home to add to the Juddmonte broodmare band.”

The Bromans purchased Ack Naughty, in foal to Upstart, for $500,000 at this year's Keeneland January sale. That was just a month after her first foal to race, Practical Move, won the GII Los Alamitos Futurity. The colt added wins in the GII San Felipe S. and GI Santa Anita Derby this past spring.

“We just bought this mare in January,” said Sequel's Becky Thomas. “But it was before Practical Move really became Practical Move. So he won a Grade II and then a Grade I after we bought her. Mr. Broman still races quite a bit, but he is breeding to sell in a commercial market. This will be a chance to put cash back into the program and that's what we did.”

Of the mare's price tag Wednesday, Thomas added, “Way above the reserve, but she's a beautiful mare and she had Practical Move. We are just really happy that we were able to do it and happy that Mr. Broman gives us the ability to play at a high level.”

Frankel Filly for Lyon

Graded stakes winner Skims (GB) (Frankel {GB}) (hip 125) became the first seven-figure mare of the Keeneland November sale when selling for $1.8 million to Jane Lyon's Summer Wind Farm.

“I am very excited about getting this mare,” Lyon said. “I am a Frankel lover. I had one filly [by him] that unfortunately isn't going to be a race filly that I bred. But when I saw this filly, with her race record, I was so excited to have her in my broodmare band.”

 

Bred and raced by Andrew Rosen and trained by Shug McGaughey, Skims won last year's GII Sands Point S. and was second in this year's GII Canadian S. On the board in eight of 14 starts, she won four times and earned $426,685.

The 4-year-old racing or broodmare prospect, who was consigned by Bluegrass Thoroughbred Services, is out of Royal Decree (Street Cry {Ire}) and is a half-sister to group winner War Decree (War Front). Her second dam is multiple Grade I winner Ticker Tape (GB) (Royal Applause {GB}).

“That was right in line with what we thought she would bring,” said Bluegrass Thoroughbred Services' John Stuart. “She is by Frankel and from a nice family. I am really happy that she is staying right here in the Bluegrass.”

'Pursuit' Lands Dalika for $1.65M

Bryant Prentice's Pursuit of Success may not have made the leader board with raw numbers, but it certainly did when it came to quality. With Archie St. George handling the bidding duties, Prentice extended to $1.65 million for Grade I winner Dalika (Ger) (Pastorius {Ger}) (Hip 223) during Keeneland's Book 1 session.

“I was thinking she might not bring that much, but the market is strong and she is a Grade I winner,” said St. George. “It was definitely more than we were hoping to have to give.”

 

Consigned by Case Clay Thoroughbred Management, the gray mare sold in foal to Flightline.

Clay said, “I thought it was great and was well sold and well bought. She's sound, a Grade I winner and in foal to Flightline, so I think it's a fair value for her.”

The mare is a member of the first group of mares to be bred to the 2022 Horse of the Year.

“She is a beautiful mare. We were keen to get her,” said St. George. “Obviously, in foal to a beautiful stallion. She was just a top-quality mare.”

Clay added, “[She was] the whole package. She won in 5 1/2 furlongs up to 11 furlongs–very versatile and carried her speed. It was every little thing and then when she arrived here she showed well the whole time. People really liked her, so there was a lot of attention.”

Out of the Hurricane Run (Ire) mare Drawn To Run, the 7-year-old is a half-sister to Group 3 placed Drawn To Dream (Ire) (Iquitos {Ger}). Her extended family includes Group 1 winners Corre Caminos and Recital.

“She is a top race filly,” said St. George. “She has the quality and looks and, hopefully, she can throw something that looks like her. The sky is the limit.”

While at the forefront of Wednesday's purchase for Prentice, St. George was quick to credit the late bloodstock James Delahooke for much of the team's success.

“Mr. James Delahooke used to do a lot of work for [the Prentices] and I am carrying on his legacy,” he said. “It's really a team effort. The mare is on the farm.”

“Taking on James's legacy, it takes an army to do it. God rest his soul.” —@CbossTDN

Dalika Departure Bittersweet for Varga

Paul Varga of Bal Mar Equine found himself in the unprecedented position of experiencing the joy of reeling in seven figures for his prized mare Dalika, but also facing the sad reality of her departure.

“She definitely gave us a great day,” he said. “But it really is hard obviously to let go of a mare like that.”

 

Bred by Gestut Ammerland, Dalika made three starts in Europe, including a win at Dresden in 2018, before selling privately to Varga late in her 2-year-old season.

For Varga and trainer Al Stall, the German bred annexed four wins at the graded level in the U.S., headed by a score in the 2022 GI Beverly D. S. before retiring with earnings in excess of $1.4 million

In regard to the final price, he added, “Given the results of her accomplishments, that's sort of where we thought she might be.”

While bittersweet, Varga explained the bright side was that he retains Drawn to Race (Ger), a full-sister to the Grade I winner.

“One great thing is I have her full-sister. She's in foal, so I can still keep the family. A huge amount of congratulations to not only Case [Clay] for selling her, but also to Albert Stall, who trained her all along. She required a ton of patience to run that much over that long a time. And he and his group did a super job. Honestly, this was great, but it's so much more fun to watch them win on the racetrack.” —@CbossTDN

Repole Back in Action at Keeneland

Mike Repole, who spent $6 million to buy out his partners on champion Nest (Curlin) at the Fasig-Tipton November sale Tuesday, was back in action at Keeneland Wednesday, purchasing five mares for $4.4 million. Leading the way was the racing/broodmare prospect Interstatedaydream (Classic Empire) (hip 201), who sold for $1.4 million.

“Nice, nice, nice horse,” Repole said of the 4-year-old Ontario-bred who was consigned by Four Star Sales. “I thought she was worth that as a broodmare. We are going to race her next year. I am trying to save racing one horse at a time. Thought about keeping her with Brad Cox.”

 

Interstatedaydream, who was purchased by Staton Flurry's Flurry Racing Stable for $175,000 at the 2021 OBS April sale, won last year's GII Black-Eyed Susan S. and GIII Indiana Oaks and was third in the GI Ashland S. She came into the Keeneland sale off wins in the Sept. 30 Twixt S. and Nov. 3 Turnback the Alarm S.

The bay filly is out of Babcock (Uncle Mo), a half-sister to Canadian champion Uncaptured (Lion Heart).

Repole, who said Tuesday he expects to return Nest to the races in 2024, also plans to send Surprisingly (Mastery) (hip 140)  back to the track after purchasing the 4-year-old filly for an even $1 million Wednesday from the Claiborne Farm consignment. Bred and campaigned by the Phipps family, the filly won the GIII Endeavor S. in February for trainer Shug McGaughey before hitting the board in four straight graded events through the summer. She was most recently seventh in the GII Ballston Spa S. in August at Saratoga.

“I have a lot of respect for the Phippses,” Repole said. “I have been partners with them on other horses. Plus, I like that she can race. We will keep her here for about 30 days and then ship out to Palm Beach to Todd [Pletcher] and have some fun with her last year. And then put her in our broodmare band.”

Surprisingly is out of Vagabond (Arch), a half-sister to graded winner Great Island (Scat Daddy). Her third dam is Matlacha Pass (Seeking the Gold), who produced MGISWs Point of Entry and Pine Island.

“I get excited about the mares we are buying to race,” Repole said. “[My associates] are getting excited about the mares we are buying in foal. But I like running and I enjoy the races. If we can keep horses around at ages four and five, they can become stars and be more durable.”

Champagne Lady to Barronstown Stud

Stakes-placed Champagne Lady (Uncle Mo) (hip 214) has a pending date with Triple Crown winner Justify after selling for $1.45 million to the bid of the David and Diane Nagle's Barronstown Stud. The 6-year-old mare, who sold in foal to champion Flightline, was consigned by Lane's End. She is out of Grazie Mille (Bernardini) and is a full-sister to Grade I winner Mo Town and a half-sister to stakes-winning and multiple graded placed 'TDN Rising Star' Justique (Justify).

“We loved Champagne Lady's pedigree and we bought her to go to Justify,” said Diane Nagle. “She's a gorgeous mare. Fingers crossed.”

Don Adam's Courtlandt Farms purchased Champagne Lady for $875,000 at the 2018 Keeneland September sale. She was third in the 2022 My Charmer S.

Spendthrift Back in Action at Keeneland

On the heels of an active day of buying the preceding day, Spendthrift Farm was back at it during Keeneland's Book 1 session. The operation's purchases were led by the $1.05-million buy Tarabi (First Samurai) (Hip 142), offered by Lane's End Farm.

“She is a really impressive physical and a well-bred filly, so we are really excited to have her,” said Spendthrift's Ned Toffey. “It was about what we thought we would have to pay. It was a fair price for her. She would be a nice addition to the broodmare band.”

 

A stakes winner and twice Grade I placed on the track, the chestnut is out of Indian Bay (Indian Charlie), also responsible for full-sibling Shivaji, a group stakes winner and Group 1 placed in Japan.

Asked about who might be first up as a possible mate for the 4-year-old mare, Toffey said, “We have a couple of options there. Maybe something on the farm, or maybe we'll take her off the farm. We'll figure it out.”

At Fasig-Tipton Tuesday, Spendthrift secured five mares for $7.7 million, headed by the $3-million purchase of GI Kentucky Oaks heroine Secret Oath (Arrogate).

“A couple of years ago we bought a number of really strong mares,” said Toffey, explaining the nursery's spending over the two days. “We always continue to try to upgrade the broodmare band. The old adage: pad at the top, and carve from the bottom. That's us just trying to do that. This is part of our process.” —@CbossTDN

Technical Analysis to Japan

Technical Analysis (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) (hip 145), consigned by Elite, will eventually be heading to the Far East after selling for $1 million Wednesday at Keeneland. Bloodstock agent Keisuke Onishi of J S Company made the winning bid on behalf of an undisclosed Japanese client.

“She was a very good race horse and was quite a good mover,” said Onishi. “The owner may keep her here to breed her in the U.S. or he may send her straight to Japan.”

Technical Analysis, purchased for 200,000gns at the 2019 Tattersalls October sale, was a four-time graded stakes winner for Klaravich Stables and trainer Chad Brown, with victories in the 2022 GII Ballston Spa S. and 2021 GII Lake Placid S. The 5-year-old mare capped her racing career with a win in the Oct. 27 Athenia S.

The mare's trip through the sales ring Wednesday added to an impressive roster of sales for Seth Klarman's Klaravich Stables, which also sold Grade I winner Search Results (Flatter) to Katsumi Yoshida for $3.6 million and stakes winner Strong Incentive (Warrior's Reward) for $2,150,000 to Alpha Delta Stables at Fasig-Tipton Tuesday.

The Japanese buyers, who were such a strong presence at Fasig-Tipton, continued to be active across town Wednesday despite the weakness of the yen to the dollar.

“The currency situation is not that good for us, but I think the Japanese buyers still have to be active and try to find good pedigrees and horses to import to Japan,” said Onishi.

AAA Active from Fasig to Keeneland

Randy Hartley and Dean DeRenzo's weanling-to-yearling pinhooking partnership AAA Thoroughbreds, which enjoyed seven-figure success at last year's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale, has been busy buying foals, both at Newtown Paddocks Tuesday and at Keeneland Wednesday. The group purchased a colt by Gun Runner (hip 51) for $470,000 and a colt by Justify (hip 67) for $450,000 Tuesday.

At Keeneland Wednesday, AAA Thoroughbreds purchased four weanlings, led by a daughter of Curlin (hip 151) consigned by Denali Stud for $550,000. The foal is out of multiple graded winner Tin Type Gal (Tapit), who is a daughter of Grade I winner Miss Shop (Deputy Minister).

“She's a Curlin filly with a big pedigree,” Hartley said of the chestnut's appeal. “It's so hard to buy Curlins, so we felt like any one that we can get our hands on, we are going to try to buy. I felt like this filly, with the pedigree, she had the whole package. It's a lot of money, but to get a Curlin, if you like them, you're going to have to pay for them.”

Keeneland November Sale | Keeneland

The AAA Thoroughbreds partnership also acquired a colt from the first crop of Grade I winner Yaupon (Uncle Mo) (hip 37) for $400,000 from the Taylor Made Sales Agency consignment. The weanling is out of graded winner Lady Sabelia (Majestic Warrior).

“I thought he was the best Yaupon on the ground,” Hartley said. “My goal was to come here and try to buy the best one.”

Hartley said he had plenty of faith in the young stallion, who stands for $25,000 at Spendthrift Farm.

“And my friend Hoby Kight bought [Yaupon] as a yearling, so I was around him when he worked :20 and change at Gulfstream,” Hartley said. “He was such a beautiful horse. And then he went off and won those graded races. We just felt like he could be a big up-and-coming stallion for us. We searched over there [at Fasig] and over here and he was the best one we saw.”

Yaupon worked a quarter in :20 3/5 before RNA'ing for $485,000 at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream sale. He returned to sell for $255,000 to Corinne and Bill Heiligbrodt at the OBS June sale and went on to win the 2021 GI Forego S.

Yaupon was also represented in the Keeneland sales ring Wednesday by a filly (hip 5) who sold for $400,000 to Haruya Yoshida.

Asked about paying $400,000 for a pinhooking prospect by a first-crop sire, Hartley said, “$400,000 is the new number if you like a baby now. You used to be able to come here and buy these for $200,000 or $250,000, but those $200,000 babies are $400,000 now. If you want them, you've just got to buy them.” @JessMartiniTDN

Justify Colt Brings $525K On Day 1

Midway through Wednesday's Book 1 session, a weanling colt by Justify, Hip 150, realized $525,000 from Michelle St. George, signing as Teddy Town Thoroughbreds from the back of the sales pavilion. Consigned by Vinery Sales, the Feb. 27 foal is out of Peruvian Group 3 winner and Group 1-placed Thundering Emilia (Thunder Gulch).

“Everything about him was desirable,” said St. George. “He was a beautiful horse. The stallion is also on top of the world right now. We are very happy to have him.”

According to St. George, also the wife of Archie St. George, the colt was purchased as a pinhook prospect.

“We have been very fortunate this year,” she said when asked about the year in the ring thus far. “Some of them were pinhooks and others, homebreds. But we did have a  good year. When you have the right stallions and the right pedigree, it helps.”

The colt's 17-year-old dam is also responsible for Peruvian Group 1 scorer Emilia's Moon (Malibu Moon), SP Mighty Scarlett (Scat Daddy) and Helium (Ironicus), winner of the GII Tampa Bay Derby.

The St. Georges also purchased Hip 138, a filly by Charlatan, for $280,000 earlier in the session. Consigned by Taylor Made Sales selling on behalf of the dispersal of White Fox Farm, the chestnut is out of GSW Summersault (Rock Hard Ten).

According to St. George, the operation aims to secure up to about 20 weanlings throughout the season, but admits that they typically aren't at the price point of Wednesday's purchase.

“You have to do this [buy at the upper level] unfortunately. It's hard, but it's kind of what we're up against now. But this is the one we wanted for today, and we are delighted to have him.” —@CbossTDN

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Sequel New York Open House Jan. 21

Sequel New York will hold its 2023 Stallion Open House Jan. 21 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the stallion barn at 167 Maple Lane, Hudson, New York 12534.

The 2023 Sequel New York roster, with fees, is: Freud (Storm Cat), private; Honest Mischief (Into Mischief), $6,500 LFSN; Keepmeinmind (Laoban), $6,500 LFSN; and Mission Impazible (Unbridled's Song), private.

Multiple mare discounts are available, as well as incentives for repeat breeders.

“We want to give our breeders a chance to be profitable,” said Sequel owner Becky Thomas. “The recent sales in Kentucky have clearly demonstrated breeding in Kentucky does not guarantee a profit. The lower stallion fees, no transportation or boarding costs, coupled with the lucrative purse structure NYRA offers and resulting awards will give our breeders the best opportunity.”

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$550k Evocative on Top as Late Fireworks Propel Keeneland January to Strong Opener

LEXINGTON, KY – The Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale, which began sluggishly Monday morning, built up steam throughout the day and ended with a trio of firework offerings and figures largely in line with the auction's 2022 renewal.

“The beginning of the day was definitely slower than we probably expected,” said Keeneland's Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy. “It was a little sluggish. But as the day went on, it became more promising.”

At the close of business Monday, 224 head had sold for $16,261,900. The average was $72,598 and the median was $40,000. During last year's opening session, 248 horses sold for $17,989,200. The average was $72,537 and the median was $39,500.

The session RNA rate was 31.29%. It was 25.75% a year ago.

“The RNA rate was a little higher than probably we would have been expecting at the beginning of the day,” said Lacy. “However, quality was selling and selling well. The major buyers were here. The domestic market was strong. It's a follow-on from November. You could see a trend that was continuing on. Overall, you have to be very content with how it went. And it ended up very even with last year in many metrics.”

While the RNA rate might have been high for horses walking out of the ring, there was still active trade back at the barns.

“Our yearlings have done well,” said Frank Taylor of Taylor Made Sales Agency, which sold a colt by Gun Runner for $400,000 midway through the day. “We've had a few RNAs, but we've sold several of them after the sale. The aftermarket is pretty good. If you've got a good one, they sell well.”

Bloodstock agent Kerri Radcliffe, bidding on behalf of an undisclosed client, made the day's highest bid when going to $550,000 for Evocative (Pioneerof the Nile), while Jacob West secured that mare's first foal, a short yearling by Quality Road, for $450,000 on behalf of Robert and Lawana Low. Becky Thomas secured Ack Naughty (Afleet Alex), dam of recent GII Los Alamitos Futurity winner Practical Move (Practical Joke), for $500,000 on behalf of Chester and Mary Broman.

The Keeneland January sale continues through Thursday with sessions beginning each day at 10 a.m.

Evocative and Daughter Cause Late Fireworks at Keeneland

The first session of the Keeneland January sale produced its three biggest results late in the day and, just before the auction headed into its supplemental section, the main catalogue's fireworks were created when the 6-year-old mare Evocative (Pioneerof the Nile) (hip 399), a half-sister to Justwhistledixie (Dixie Union), sold for $550,000 and was followed immediately into the ring by her yearling daughter by Quality Road (hip 400) who brought a final bid of $450,000 from bloodstock agent Jacob West.

Bloodstock agent Kerri Radcliffe signed for Evocative, who sold in foal to Quality Road.

“She's been bought for a commercial breeder and she'll stay in America,” Radcliffe said. “She was beautiful. And look at that pedigree. Then you just saw the foal sell for $450,000–that was beautiful, too.”

Justlewhistledixie is the dam of GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner New Year's Day (Street Cry {Ire}), as well as multiple graded stakes winner Mohaymen (Tapit).

Evocative, who was bred by SF Bloodstock, RNA'd for $375,000 at the 2018 Keeneland September sale. She failed to hit the board in three starts in the SF colors in late 2019 and early 2020 before RNA'ing for $575,000 at the 2020 Fasig-Tipton February sale, for $725,000 while in foal to Tapit at the 2020 Keeneland November sale and again for $460,000 while in foal to Quality Road at the 2021 Keeneland November sale.

After slipping in 2021, her short yearling filly by Quality Road, also bred by SF Bloodstock, is the mare's first foal. West acquired the bay filly on behalf of Robert and Lawana Low.

“She's by Quality Road–he doesn't really need an introduction to anybody,” West said. “She was an outstanding physical and outstanding athlete. From a short yearling perspective, she had one of the best walks I'd seen around here. She's well-bred, but she's a first foal out of a young mare. You'd assume they will breed her to top stallions behind her, so the pipeline can be loaded for the foreseeable future.”

Both broodmare and daughter were consigned by Bedouin Bloodstock.

“We felt good about both of them coming in here,” said Bedouin's Neal Clarke. “We weren't expecting this much obviously. This was a great result. We've had a lot of Evocative sisters and Evocative we foaled ourselves. So it was kind of nice having both the mare and foal that came from the farm. It's a little bittersweet, a little sad to see them go, but they are going to great homes. So we couldn't be happier. It's a great day.”

Bromans Strike for Ack Naughty

Ack Naughty (Afleet Alex) (hip 420B), who was supplemented to the Keeneland January sale after her son Practical Move (Practical Joke) won the Dec. 17 GII Los Alamitos Futurity, will be joining the broodmare band of Chester and Mary Broman after bloodstock agent Becky Thomas signed the ticket at $500,000 to acquire the 11-year-old mare.

“We like that she was a Grade II producer,” Thomas said with a laugh when asked about the mare's appeal. “I bought her for Chester and Mary Broman, who are, of course, leading breeders in New York who I've been so delighted to train for for so many years.”

The mare, who was owned by trainer Chad Brown and Sol Kumin's Head of Plains Partners, was consigned by Elite. She sold in foal to Upstart.

While Thomas said no definite mating plans have been discussed, she added, “Mr. Broman has one of the original breeding rights in Into Mischief, so I have a feeling she might be going to Into Mischief.”

Longtime New York breeders, the Bromans, in what has been termed “estate planning” have been a major force selling from their families in recent years, notably selling the $3.55-million topper at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May sale.

“Mr. Broman has a phenomenal farm manager in Greg Falk and, in Mr. Broman's planning, as long as we can continue to operate the farm and can keep on going like we are going, he's good to go.”

However, Thomas admitted Ack Naughty did break some of the usual rules she's been given when shopping for broodmares.

“Normally, I'm not allowed to buy anything that old or in foal to only certain stallions,” she said. “[Ack Naughty] falls out of every criteria I've been given. I told him that this was a sidebar action.”

Gun Runner Colt Draws a Crowd

David Wade came out best at $400,000 to acquire a colt by Gun Runner (hip 270) from the Taylor Made Sales Agency consignment Monday. The short yearling, bred by the Gun Runner Syndicate and Sun Valley Farm, is the first foal out of Willa (Will Take Charge). The mare is a half-sister to stakes winner and graded-placed Abby's Angel (Touch Gold) and Group 1-placed Miss Jean Brodie (Maria's Mon).

“He seemed like he was the whole package,” Wade said after signing for the colt in the name of Sycamore Hall Thoroughbreds. “He had a tremendous presence to him, a great walk. It doesn't get any better than Gun Runner and it's a really nice family. It seemed to us like a no-brainer to go after him.”

As for plans for the colt, Wade said, “It's up in the air. A horse like him, you could race him or pinhook. We tend to pinhook horses like this, but we will see what happens. We will digest it and go back and think about it.”

The final price tag was no surprise to Taylor Made's Frank Taylor.

“It's exactly where we thought he would be,” Taylor said. “He was just a beautiful colt. He's the kind of horse that looks like he could be a Derby horse; a two-turn horse. You can't beat the sire. He has a lot of class–a beautiful eye, good walk, a really good mind. He has it all. He was entered in the November sale and got a little virus that set him back. We just thought we'd give him time to catch back up.”

Williamses Building a Broodmare Band

Pete Williams and his daughter Martha, sitting alongside bloodstock agent Alistair Roden, got the Keeneland January sale off to a quick start Monday when adding Good Fairy (hip 19) to their fledgling broodmare band with a final bid of $330,000.

Consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, the unraced mare who was bred by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings, sold in foal to Maclean's Music. She is out of Glinda the Good (Hard Spun) and is a half-sister to champion Good Magic (Curlin).

“She's from an exceptionally good family and she's a very good-looking mare,” Roden said. “She is a young mare carrying her second foal. She has got a foal by Munnings, who is a proven sire, and is in foal to Maclean's Music on an early cover.”

Pete Williams, a real estate developer now based in Alys Beach, Florida began fulfilling a longtime dream when he started buying Thoroughbreds just last year.

“It was a passion,” Williams said. “I always knew I was going to get involved. I was just waiting on the right time to invest and enjoy this game.”

Good Fairy is the fifth broodmare purchased by the Williamses' MKW Racing and Breeding. They purchased Runnin Ruby (Tapit) (hip 149) for $450,000 at last year's Keeneland November sale, while at the Fasig-Tipon February sale, they acquired Ladhiyah (Kitten's Joy) (hip 348) for $85,000 and Minetta (Khozan) (hip 569) for $70,000.

Among a group of five yearling purchases last year, they acquired a filly by Street Sense (hip 80) for $275,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale and a filly by Twirling Candy (hip 273) for $190,000 at the Fasig February sale.

MKW also purchased a 2-year-old last spring, going to $350,000 for a daughter of Uncle Mo (hip 118), now named Mo Town Mayhem, at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May sale.

“Our focus is on breeding,” Williams said. “We bought five yearlings and a 2-year-old in training. And this is the fifth broodmare. I have one colt. But we are certainly looking to get black-type on those young fillies when they run and breed them.”

Williams continued, “The broodmares stay at Nicky Drion's and the yearlings went down to Woodford Thoroughbreds. The now 3-year-old is with Mark Casse. She had a little upper suspensory problem and she was at Margaux for the last three or four months. She just got shipped down there, so she's starting to train again.”

Martha Williams, who lives in New York, said she was enjoying the experience of building a broodmare band.

“I love doing this,” she said. “It's been a lot of fun to learn–it's a lot to learn. It's still very new. But I feel like I learn so much every time I come to one of these sales and do more with my father. I'm excited about it.”

Pugh Strikes for McKinzie Filly

A filly from the first crop of McKinzie (hip 190) will be targeted for resale later in the year after selling for $220,000 to the bid of Peter Pugh on behalf of Cherry Knoll Farm during Monday's first session of the Keeneland January sale. The short yearling is out of Sisterhood (Kitten's Joy), whose 3-year-old filly Be My Sunshine (Frosted) won first time out at Gulfstream Sunday.

“She had a big update, which helped with the purchase,” Pugh said. “She will be pinhooked to a yearling sale later this year, but it's too early to say which one.”

Also Monday, Pugh purchased a filly by Bolt d'Oro (hip 228) for $65,000.

Pugh had pinhooking success buying out of last year's January sale. He purchased a colt by Gun Runner for $275,000 at the auction and resold the yearling for $450,000 at the Keeneland September sale.

Hip 190 was consigned by Hunter Valley Farm and was bred by Hunter Valley and Pat Barrett.

“She's a beautiful, athletic filly,” said Hunter Valley's Adrian Regan. “McKenzie has done well here and the catalog update helped us a lot. The Frosted filly won very impressively and it proves the family can get a real runner. It's kind of the perfect storm. We weren't going to give her away, but the price did exceed our expectations.”

Hunter Valley purchased Sisterhood, with this filly in utero, for $75,000 at the 2021 Fasig-TIpton November sale, but it was almost a near-miss for the operation which sold Shedaresthedevil (Daredevil) for $5 million just four hips before Sisterhood went through the ring.

“We bought the mare at Fasig-Tipton two years ago,” Regan said. “We had just sold Shedaresthedevil and we nearly missed this mare in the ring.”

The 14-year-old Sisterhood, who is also the dam of stakes winner and graded placed In the Mood (Eskendereya), was bred to War of Will in 2022.

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Records Fall as F-T Midlantic Sale Concludes

TIMONIUM, MD – With a $3.55-million son of Bernardini providing the auction's biggest fireworks, the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale concluded another record-setting renewal in Timonium Tuesday.

At the conclusion of business, 391 horses had sold for a gross of $37,297,700–bettering the sale's previous high mark of $33,692,000 set just last year. The average of $95,391 was another record, bettering the mark of $94,375 set last year. The median dipped to $47,000, just 6% off the 2020 record of $50,000.

“Last year was such a wow year and, when I come to the next year, I always ask, can we exceed what we did last year,” said Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Sales Director Paget Bennett. “And we certainly blew it out of the park. Next year could be tough. We are tickled to death with records for average and gross and record price for a horse sold in Maryland.”

The median was the auction's only statistic to fail to surpass its 2021 high-water mark.

“The middle market was a little tough,” Bennett admitted. “People were commenting that they couldn't sell a horse for $40,000 or $50,000, but they were selling them for $20,000. And then they were selling for $100,000 or $200,000. That was a surprise and some people asked where were the Maryland trainers. I guess they felt some were missing.”

Some buyers stepped in to take advantage of the softer middle market. David Meah of Meah/Lloyd Bloodstock was pleased with the six horses he is taking home from Timonium.

“I found a lot of very nice horses here,” Meah said. “It's a great sale. I think the market has leveled out a little bit, so it's a bit easier to buy, which is great for me personally. We managed to buy six so far, so we've been very happy with the market and what was on offer here.”

Meah continued, “It's been extremely hard to buy for the last 12, even 18 months, but I think it's just diluted a little bit now, come May. I found it a lot easier to buy horses this week.”

Raul Reyes's Kings Equine sold 25 of 33 horses through the ring this week and enjoyed a number of pinhooking scores.

“I think the market was great,” Reyes said.

Of a potentially soft middle market, he added, “It's been that way ever since I can remember.”

With an eye-catching :9 4/5 bullet breeze, hip 385 was no secret when he entered the sales ring Tuesday and when the dust had settled after a bidding duel between West Point Thoroughbreds and Gary Young, Young had secured the youngster for Amr Zedan for a sale record $3.55 million. The colt was the most expensive Thoroughbred ever sold at public auction in the state of Maryland, bettering the previous record of $1.8 million set by Gamine at the Midlantic auction in 2019. It was the eighth straight year that the Midlantic sale had produced a seven-figure juvenile.

“It just goes to show people can feel confident about bringing that type of horse to the marketplace here in Maryland,” Bennett said of the record colt. “My goal has always been to have two seven-figure horses, but I will take a $3.55 million one. I hope we get him on the cover one day.”

Bernardini Smashes Records in Timonium

A colt by Bernardini (hip 385), who advertised himself with a :9 4/5 work last week, ignited a bidding duel between West Point Thoroughbreds and bloodstock agent Gary Young in the Midlantic sale ring Tuesday. Young, doing his bidding out back while standing alongside advisor Charlie Boden and trainer Bob Baffert and on the phone with Saudi businessman Amr Zedan, answered every bid from the West Point team doing its bidding at the back of the pavilion to ultimately secure the colt for a sales-record $3.55 million.

“Obviously we thought he was a standout and other people did as well,” Young said. “Mr. Zedan was on the phone with me. Originally, we were going to go to $2.5 million, but he just kept answering. He said, 'Up to $2.5 million, it's yours. After that, you've got to have me on the phone.' I kept asking and he kept answering.”

The juvenile was consigned by Becky Thomas's Sequel Bloodstock on behalf of his breeders Chester and Mary Broman. He is out of G Note (Medaglia d'Oro), a daughter of graded winner Seeking the Ante (Seeking the Gold) and half to stakes winner Mineralogist (Mineshaft), as well as to the dam of this year's GII Rebel S. winner Un Ojo (Laoban).

“He did everything,” Young said. “He went :9 4/5 and in the videos, sometimes horses when they straighten up the backstretch they are pretty well spent, but he just kept firing up the backstretch. His third furlong was super.”

On behalf of Zedan, Young purchased a son of Uncle Mo (hip 206) for $2.3 million and a colt by Justify (hip 11) for $600,000 at the OBS Spring sale last month. At the Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream, Zedan purchased a colt by Nyquist (hip 62) for $700,000.

All four purchases reflect Zedan's desire to get back to the GI Kentucky Derby, where he was represented last year by the ill-fated Medina Spirit (Protonico).

“You don't think of Bernardinis as :9 4/5 horses, as much as he's been a good sire for a long time, you think of horses that run longer,” Young said. “And that's what Mr. Zedan wants. He has Derby fever. That's his main focus. We will know in about five or six months how this turns out.”

Young said Tuesday's acquisition would likely conclude Zedan's 2-year-old purchases this year.

Hip 385 is the most expensive Thoroughbred sold at public auction in the state of Maryland, surpassing the $1.8 million set by Gamine at this sale in 2019. It was the eighth consecutive year that a horse selling at the Midlantic 2-year-old sale sold for seven figures.

Longtime New York breeders, the Bromans began selling select offerings as part of an estate planning program four years ago. The planning got a jump start with the $2-million Chestertown (Tapit), who topped the 2019 OBS March sale and is campaigned by a partnership that includes West Point Thoroughbreds and the Bromans themselves. Chestertown's half-brother by Into Mischief sold for $1 million at this year's March sale.

“It's huge,” Sequel's Carlos Manresa said of Tuesday's record-setting result. “It just goes to show how much the Bromans can be rewarded for the time that they have put into breeding these mares and keeping these families. It's especially wonderful to have Mr. Broman here for the sale. Whenever we feel like we have something that we think is really going to be exciting, he likes to be here for it. This was certainly an event that called for him to be here.”

Describing the colt's progression, Manresa said, “He's always been really calm around the barn. He is really well behaved and really well mannered. He gallops so calmly, but when we asked him to go fast, he went really fast.”

The colt became the first horse in a decade to shade :10 at the Maryland State Fairgrounds when he worked during last week's under-tack show.

“We knew he would go fast, we just didn't know he'd go quite that fast,” Manresa admitted. “We never expected a :9 4/5, but we were very pleased that he gave it to us.”

Manresa said the result was gratifying for the entire Sequel team.

“Any time you can be part of a horse that brings seven figures, it's really special,” he said. “Not just for me, but for everyone at the farm. Everyone is watching from home and they are all texting me and congratulating us, from the grooms, to the guy who does our track, to the blacksmith that does his feet every month. It's a wonderful team.”

Patience Pays for Kinder

Breeders Ralph Kinder and Erv Woolsey had no hesitation when taking home their American Pharoah filly (hip 443) after she RNA'd for $145,000 at the OBS March sale following a :10 1/5 work over the synthetic surface in Ocala. Rerouted to Maryland, the filly worked a furlong in a bullet :10 flat over the dirt last week and rewarded the partners' decision when selling for $500,000 to trainer Cherie DeVaux.

“She did not like the surface down there, she didn't relax over the surface,” Kinder said of the OBS work. “She's a better horse on the dirt. She galloped out great here and her video was off the chart.”

The filly is out of Jordan's Henny (Henny Hughes), who won the 2018 GIII Hurricane Bertie S. and placed in four additional graded races for Woolsey and Kinder, and is a third generation product of their breeding program.

“We raised her and still have her granddam–all three generations–that's the third generation,” Kinder said. “We were a little hesitant to sell her because we race as well.”

Asked why the partners had decided to sell the filly, Kinder laughed and said, “Economics.”

Another Filly for Black Type Team

The Black Type Thoroughbreds partnership has already had success buying gray fillies from Ciaran Dunne's Wavertree Stables consignment and went back to that formula when purchasing a daughter of Malibu Moon (hip 487) for $500,000 Tuesday in Timonium. The group, founded by Jake Ballis, purchased Grade I placed Up in Smoke (The Big Beast) for $230,000 at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic sale.

“We love fillies,” Black Type's Maddie Mattmiller said after signing the ticket on the filly alongside Ballis and television personality Jonathon Kinchen, a newcomer to the partnership. “We have had good luck with gray fillies off of Ciaran Dunne. He has always given us good advice when we've found one we like over there.”

Hip 487 is out of Lorelei True (Unbridled's Song), a half-sister to graded winner Sparky Ville (Candy Ride {Arg}). The juvenile's third dam is Win Crafty Lady (Crafty Prospector), who produced Harmony Lodge, Graeme Hall and Win McCool.

“She was a big filly with a ton of leg under her,” Mattmiller said of the filly's appeal. “She looks like she can go two turns. She carried herself well and she has good pedigree behind her, out of an Unbridled's Song mare.”

The Lehigh Bloodstock pinhooking partnership that includes Dunne and Kirk Wycoff purchased the filly for $110,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale.

A newcomer to the Black Type partnership, Kinchen also teamed up with Ballis and Mattmiller to purchase a colt by Mosler (hip 454) for $165,000 earlier in the session.

“I've known Maddie and Jake for a long time, so when I decided to do this, I was obviously going to do it with their guidance,” Kinchen said. “We are excited about it. [Hip 487] will go to New York and likely be with George Weaver. We can keep an eye on her all summer while we are up in Saratoga. It should be a lot of fun.”

Mattmiller added, “We love Jonathon's support. We are excited to have him in the Black Type team. We have a good group of guys, so Jonathon only adds to that excitement.”

Reyes Scores With Bolt d'Oro Colt

Raul Reyes of Kings Equine cashed in on the popularity of first-crop sire Bolt d'Oro Tuesday in Timonium when selling a colt by the Spendthrift stallion (hip 364) for $500,000 to Holly and David Wilson. Reyes purchased the youngster for $40,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale.

“He looked really nice, very strong and very handsome,” Reyes said of his initial impressions of the colt. “I got lucky. He was late on a day in the sale and I had a chance to buy him right. He kept developing the right way. He got bigger and he never went the other way.”

Out of Australian stakes winner Forever Discreet (Aus), the dark bay colt worked a furlong in a bullet :10 flat during last week's under-tack show.

“Every year, I try something different,” Reyes said of his approach to the Maryland sale. “You don't always hit it. I brought the Bolt d'Oro, a first-year sire, and he did great. You never know what horse is going to work out. Just when you think you've got it, it goes different.”

Eight juveniles by Bolt d'Oro sold at the two-day auction for an average of $309,625, topped by a $675,000 colt sold by Pike Racing to Spendthrift Farm and Frank Fletcher Racing during Monday's first session.

 

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