Tag: Juddmonte

Teona Stars at Tattersalls as Juddmonte Bids 4.5 Million

By Brian Sheerin and Emma Berry

NEWMARKET, UK – A Group 1 winner out of a Group 1 winner, by one of the world's best stallions and carrying a foal by the dual champion sire. As recipes go, it has all the ingredients necessary to make a special dish, and that is exactly what the Juddmonte team decided she was when buying Teona (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) from Rabbah Bloodstock for 4.5 million gns.

Northern Farm, Charlie Gordon-Watson, Jill Lamb and Coolmore all made attempts on the five-year-old G1 Prix Vermeille winner, who is in foal for the first time to Frankel (GB), but it was Simon Mockridge who outlasted them all.

He said of lot 1786, “She is the best mare in the sale – a Group 1 winner out of a Group 1 winner. That's what they cost you. She's a beautiful addition and she's got a great pedigree. She's by Sea The Stars, who has made a fantastic start as a broodmare sire. He is already the damsire of four Group 1 winners. She'll fit in very well.”

Mockridge continued, “There were plenty at Goffs and we tried very hard at Goffs but we got beaten on most of the great individuals there. This is a great pedigree and, as I said, a Group 1 winner out of a Group 1 winner, they're hard to find. 

“She's an outcross for Frankel, which is ideal. That's what we are looking for. She'll be going to Frankel [next year].”

Asked if 4.5 million gns was where Mockridge expected to end up for Teona, he replied, “You always have to stretch a little bit further than you really want to but, to buy the best, that's how competitive it is. We're seeing that tonight. I did think she would make around three-and-a-half to four [million] but we had to make that extra stretch. It's something that we've learned. We try to value them but, when it comes to the moment, you've got to be a little stronger.”

Via Sistina Rewards Patience of Hillens

From 5,000 to 2.7 million gns: that's the story of Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) through two December Sales four years apart, and with wins in Group 1, Group 2 and Group 3 races in the interim for Stephen and Becky Hillen when trained by George Boughey. Consigned on their behalf by Grove Stud, the five-year-old, out of a Galileo (Ire) half-sister to top sprinter Kingsgate Native (Ire), was sold to an online bidder who later signed as Evergreen Equine.

“Surreal. It's been tremendous,” said Stephen Hillen of lot 1788. “From the day Jamie Magee broke her in, he has a lot of good stock through his hands and he rang me about February and said, 'She gets up the gallop better than anything else. She's just so big. You could breeze this.' I said, 'No, it would be the wrong thing to do, we'll race her.' 

“She didn't go into training until August just because the pedigree said wait. She's just a strong traveller. She walked round there like a sheep, she's just an amazing horse.”

He continued, “It's a dream. I did think she'd bring two-plus. That cross is sensational. A Group 1 winner, she ran great in the Champion Stakes. She was improving all the time. It's nice now that she's retired sound. I felt that if we didn't get what we wanted for her, we'd race her, so it was going to be a celebration anyway.

“I would have given a lot more for her at the time. She was a foal-share and she wasn't protected by either side. She needed a fair bit of imagination. You buy those things sometimes and most of them turn out useless but she always had something, an unbelievable walker with a big frame. I'm always patient, every trainer who trains for us would always say they're never under pressure. I may have my opinions from time to time but I'll wait and wait and wait.”

 

 

Who for Lezoo?

A similar mystery surrounds the purchaser of the G1 Cheveley Park S. winner Lezoo (GB), one of two seven-figure fillies from Ralph Beckett's stable. The ring may have been packed with onlookers and potential bidders, but the final bid was made invisibly, online, at 2.2 million gns. It was eventually confirmed under the name of Emmanuel de Seroux of Narvick International.

He said of the Chasemore-bred filly (lot 1776), who won five of her nine starts, including the G3 Princess Margaret S., for Andrew Rosen and Marc Chan, “She is going to be kept in Europe to be bred. She was a top-class two-year-old, we were looking for two-year-old form, and she is a beautiful type.”

The agent had earlier bought Helenium (GB) (lot 1750), a Frankel half-sister to G2 Coventry S. winner and Coolmore sire Calyx (GB). She sold from the Juddmonte draft for 625,000gns carrying her first foal by Calyx's sire Kingman (GB).

Online bidders signing under the names of Sanctuary Lodge and Mrs A Sullivan respectively secured two more of the night's big names.

Poptronic (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) (lot 1784) gave her owner/breeders David and Yvonne Blunt a major thrill when winning the G1 QIPCO British Champions Fillies and Mares S. on Champions' Day at Ascot, and she was sold from Karl Burke's Spigot Lodge Stables for 1.4 million gns.

Crack two-year-old Relief Rally (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) (lot 1798), who has won four of her five starts for William Haggas and the ownership duo of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, including the G2 Lowther S., sold for 800,000gns.

Group 1 Winners with a touch of Cachet for Northern Farm

Katsumi Yoshida's Japanese powerhouse Northern Farm has been a steady force at the December Mares Sale in recent years and, after adding last year's 1,000 Guineas winner Cachet (Ire) (Aclaim {Ire}) to the roster at 2.2 million gns, a private deal was brokered to add Group 1 winner Prosperous Voyage (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) to the haul.

Cachet (lot 1799) was famously bought by Jake Warren and Harry Herbert of Highclere Agency for 60,000gns from her breeder John Bourke at the Tattersalls Craven Breeze-up Sale. The pair, who run the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing syndicate which has also campaigned the Irish Oaks winner Petrushka, were naturally delighted with the result. 

“It has been such a journey, the whole thing has been extraordinary,” said Herbert. “From Jake saying, 'Uncle H, I've found this breeze-up filly and I can't wait to show you', through to this whole process.”

Warren added, “We just watched her being prepared to come into the ring and she stood like a rock and didn't turn a hair. She was so cool in the ring and she's been like that from day one. She's been an amazing filly to be part of. She's always had a special something about her and there was so much interest in her; she's been run off her feet all week.

“For her owners, that's special. She was £6,500 a share, and she was such a good two-year-old as well. It's exciting, she was our first domestic Classic winner and the challenge is on, we've got to do it again now.”

He added, “This is how you get access to racing. The dream is real: when you take a share in a syndicate, you can win the Guineas, you can sell a multi-million-pound horse and you can be in it competing with the best in the world. And her share-holders have achieved that.”

 

 

The Northern Farm team had also signed for Galileo Gal (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) (lot 1789) earlier in the session at 500,000gns to bring their total spend to 5,100,000gns on the day. Such visits are viewed as extremely important with a view towards keeping Japanese bloodlines fresh, according to Shingo Hashimoto, who explained how plans were still fluid for the big-name acquisitions. 

He said, “Of course, Cachet is the 1,000 Guineas winner and she really looked gorgeous. We felt something special from her so we are pretty excited to bring her back to Japan. She'll be covered but we haven't decided whether or not she'll be covered in Europe first or in Japan. She definitely has the speed.”

On Prosperous Voyage (lot 1811), he added, “We are happy that we were able to buy her at the end of the day. We'll think about bringing her back to Japan or keeping her in Europe. There are some very good stallions in Europe as well. We always try to diversify the blood that we have and we don't want to put all of the eggs into the one basket. That is part of our plan.”

Prosperous Voyage failed to sell in the ring initially but Northern Farm were quickest off the blocks to get a deal done privately for the G1 Falmouth S. winner. 

Bloodstock agent Jamie McCalmont, who manages the interests of Marc Chan, the joint-owner of Lezoo and Prosperous Voyage, credited Tattersalls for attracting a broad cohort of buyers for the Sceptre Sessions but admitted to finding the experience of selling two top-class mares an emotional one. 

McCalmont said, “We're very fond of both of them as they're lovely girls and have given us some great days out. It's more sad than happy I'd have to say. It's an expensive hobby owning horses in England so you have to do this unless you have stallion income coming in, and we don't have any of that.”

He added, “We were looking obviously for a bit more for Prosperous Voyage and debated going to one of the top stallions with her and bringing her back here next year. But then, all the buyers are here, aren't they? Tattersalls has done a great job bringing so many different groups of people here and the market speaks for itself.”

 

 

Millennium Millionaire

This has been a memorable year for The Rogues Gallery who, not long after selling listed winner Rogue Lightning (Ire) Kodiac {GB}) for £1 million at the Goffs Champions Sale at Ascot, cashed in on Rogue Millenium (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) (lot 1800) on Tuesday for 1.65 million gns.

The two Rogues were trained by Tom Clover and sourced by bloodstock agent Billy Jackson-Stops for a combined figure of less than £100,000. 

Rogue Millennium landed the G2 Duke Of Cambridge S. at Royal Ascot earlier this season and chased home Tahiyra (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) in the G1 Matron S. at Leopardstown as recently as September. 

She was bought by David Lanigan and Ted Durcan on behalf of owner Scott Heider to be trained by Joseph O'Brien with the distinct aim of winning a Group 1 in 2024. 

Lanigan said, “I thought she was the obvious one in the sale. Mr Heider has a few horses with Joseph this year and a lot of younger horses in training as well. He was looking for a Saturday horse. He has four with Brendan Walsh and three with Steve Asmussen and has had Agartha, Brostaigh and Twilight Spinner with Joseph. We were trying to find a Saturday horse so hopefully she can go on.”

He added, “They've done a great job and they gave a great report on her as well. She has been a very easy filly to train and has a lot of class so hopefully she can go on and step up to pick up a Group 1 next year. She looks like she wants a good surface and I actually thought her Matron Stakes run was one of her best performances, just by how she travelled into the race. If it worked out at some stage, perhaps Joseph could find a race for her in America.”

 

 

Woodford Thoroughbreds Sign Classy Trio

American trainer Will Walden has been in action over the first two days of the sale and has signed for three fillies to remain in training and switch to his stable in Kentucky. 

Following the purchase of Aussie Girl (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) for 380,000gns on Monday, Walden also bought the Listed winner and Group 2-placed Olivia Maralda (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) (lot 1804) for 725,000gns, along with a second Listed-winning daughter of Kodiac, the wild card Pipsy (Ire) (lot 1825B) from Kilcarn Park at 700,000gns. 

All three have been bought in the name of John Sykes's Woodford Thoroughbreds.

“They will come back to the US to be trained,” said Walden, the son of WinStar Farm's Elliott Walden. “Turf is the [European] strength and our weakness so we want to bring some of that strength back. We have plenty of good turf horses, but of course primarily America is known for dirt, so hopefully if these horses can be competitive here they can be competitive there.”

Vigors Gets Ahead With Two Millionaires 

William Haggas signed for Get Ahead (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), the G1 Flying Five S. runner-up, who is a half-sister to 2,000 Guineas winner Chaldean (GB), for 2.5 million gns. 

However, Get Ahead will not race on as a five-year-old next season, with Haggas confirming he sourced the filly (lot 1813) on behalf of a new British-based breeding consortium called First Bloodstock.

He explained, “She is for a new syndicate and goes to Hillwood Stud to board. She will be bred this coming spring.”

Charlie Vigors remained tight-lipped on the new consortium but described himself as excited to have Primo Bacio (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}) (lot 1771) and Get Ahead in the broodmare band at Hillwood Stud. 

He said, “It is very exciting to have such good mares as Primo Bacio and Get Ahead coming to the farm and that these top pedigrees are staying in Britain.”

Get Ahead was trained by Clive Cox to win three races and chase home Moss Tucker (Ire) (Excelebration {Ire}) in that Curragh Group 1 back in September. 

She boasted one of the finest pedigrees in the sale, being a sister to stallions Chaldean and Alkumait (GB). Indeed, the family was once again in the news here last week when Get Ahead's little brother sold to Alex Elliott for 260,000gns at the December Foal Sale.

Meanwhile, Primo Bacio was sold in foal to Frankel (GB) for 1.1 million gns. She was knocked down to Vigors and offered by owner David Ward through the Castlebridge Consignment.

“She is a beautiful mare, she has lovely movement, and I loved her when I first saw her,” said Vigors. “Hopefully her progeny will be coming back here to sell as well, as she is a commercial purchase.”

 

 

Living the Vida

Vida Amorosa (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), originally bought for breeder Tom Lacy for €1,200, has struck gold with her first two foals, the Weatherbys Super Sprint winner Gubbass (Ire) and G2 July S. winner Persian Force (Ire). The nine-year-old mare (lot 1793), who is back in foal to the sire of those two, Mehmas (Ire), brought 700,000gns this time around from Charlie Gordon-Watson. The agent bought the mare on behalf of the partnership of Watership Down Stud and Andrew Rosen.

“The first time we saw her we really liked her, and she's got a great breeding record. We thought she'd suit Too Darn Hot so she'll go to him next year,” said Watership Down Stud manager Simon Marsh.

Gordon-Watson later went to 1.2 million gns for the Listed-winning Kodiac (GB) mare Geocentric (Ire) (lot 1797) for the Duchess of Roxburghe, Virginia Wynn-Williams, and her son George Innes-Ker. Their breeding operation was formerly based at the family's Floors Stud in the Scottish Borders but they now keep mares at Watership Down Stud. The four-year-old mare was sold in foal to Frankel.

 

 

Golden Returns for Mare and Foal

Golden Pelican (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), a sibling to Group 3 winners Ernest Hemingway (Ire) and Toulifaut (Ire), was bought for the American-based Pursuit Of Success for 600,000gns and will remain in Britain. The six-year-old (Lot 1729) was sold carrying her second foal by Lope De Vega (Ire). Her first foal by Kingman (GB) was sold for 350,000gns last week to Juddmonte, with both mare and foal having been consigned by Hazelwood Bloodstock on behalf of Sun Bloodstock.

Unraced herself, Golden Pelican's first three dams are all group winners, with her dam Cassydora (GB) (Darshaan {GB}) having won the GIII Hillsborough S. in Florida as well as the Listed Lingfield Oaks Trial. The mare will board at Chris Budgett's Kirtlington Stud.

He said, “Roger [O'Callaghan] recommended her to the team especially after he saw her Kingman colt foal, who was bought last week by Juddmonte and is a lovely sort. We are very happy to have her.”

Talking Points

  • Eight different Japanese buyers have so far purchased 16 horses for almost 8 million gns during the first two days of the sale.
  • The Australian contingent has also been busy. At least six different entities have signed for 12 fillies and mares for 3,350,000gns. 
  • How about some love for Awtaad? Based at Derrinstown Stud, the Irish 2,000 Guineas winner must be one of the best value stallions at €5,000. Not only did Awtaad produce another marvellous result when Primo Bacio sold for 1.1 million gns at Tattersalls on Tuesday, but who could forget the marvellous Sceptre Sessions he enjoyed here 12 months ago. Three mares by Awtaad sold on this day last year for a combined sum of 1.1 million gns, led by the 600,000gns Mags O'Toole spent on behalf of Plantation Stud for Mohjatty (Ire). 
  • Bobby Flay returned to the buying bench at Tattersalls, signing up Final Gesture (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) (lot 1787) at 850,000gns and Jaaizah (GB) (Dansili {GB}) (lot 1794) for 270,000gns. The former is a daughter of the Group 2 winner Secret Gesture (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), a sister to the Group 1 winners Japan (GB) and Mogul (GB), all three out of the late Newsells Park Stud matriarch Shastye (Ire) (Danehill).
  • There were 12 millionaires at this sale 12 months ago compared to 10 this week.
  • Tuesday marked the third-highest grossing day of trade ever recorded in Europe.
  • Sea The Stars is proving to be an outstanding broodmare sire, which was evident once again this season through the achievements of Eldar Eldarov (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Big Rock (Fr) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}). Therefore, it was little wonder that well-bred mares by the stallion were in high demand on Tuesday with Sea The Stars coming out on top with 12 lots selling for 5,203,000gns.
  • Online bidding, understandably introduced during Covid when international buyers were prevented from travelling, now serves to muddy the waters at live auctions  as well as reducing the previous drama of some of the tense bidding wars in the ring. 
  • Of the 221 lots offered on Tuesday, 175 were sold, which represented a clearance rate of 79% [down 5% on last year]. The aggregate fell 11% to 48,167,000gns, the average dropped 2% to 275,240gns and the median fell 18% to 92,000gns.

Buy of the Day

Lot 1718, Malakoot (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}–Ambivalent {Ire}, by Authorized {Ire})
Buyer: Tinnakill, 52,000gns
Vendor: Barton Sales

Credit to the Cantillons of Tinnakill House Stud for sniffing out the bargain of the day, if not the entire sale. 

A Dubawi (Ire) half-sister to Teona, who would later go on to top the sale on 4.5 million gns, sold in foal to Baaeed (GB) to Tinnakill for 52,000gns. Given that Baaeed stands for £80,000, it's hard to see a scenario where the sister to Teona does not work out to be value at just over half that covering fee. 

There's every chance the Cantillons could pay for the mare with the first foal, be it a filly or a colt, and they have a lovely family to work with for the coming years with lot 1718 still a young prospect at just six years of age. 

 

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One in a Mullion: Full-Brother to Mandaloun ‘Looks Like a Carter-Met Mile Type of Horse’

With the team at Juddmonte still “floating on air” after a pair of wins on Breeders' Cup Saturday, the blue-blooded Mullion (c, 3, Into Mischief–Brooch, by Empire Maker) added to a banner weekend for the international operation with a 'TDN Rising Star' performance at Churchill Downs Nov. 5.

Sidelined for more than 14 months following a strong debut second–beaten just a nose–going six furlongs at Ellis Park in late August of his 2-year-old season, the full-brother to promoted GI Kentucky Derby winner and Juddmonte stallion Mandaloun proved well worth the wait with a jaw-dropping, 10-length maiden victory for trainer Brad Cox at second asking beneath the Twin Spires.

With nine breezes on the worktab for his comebacker, Mullion was favored at 3-5 while facing six rivals with first-time Lasix going a one-turn mile. He was bumped slightly from both sides at the start after exiting from post three. Unfazed by the minimal contact, he was keen in the early stages while hard held in second. Mullion tugged his way to the front as the half went up in :46.09 and traveled beautifully leaving the quarter pole. He put on a show from there down the stretch beneath a motionless Florent Geroux and stopped the timer in 1:34.69. He earned a 101 Beyer Speed Figure for the effort.

“As much time, patience and effort as we put into Mullion, we were expecting a big performance, but to do what he did was beyond our expectations off that kind of a layoff,” Juddmonte USA General Manager Garrett O'Rourke said. “It shows the talent that the horse has and hopefully he keeps it together now and can be a big player next year. He ran a 4 on the Ragozin Sheets, which is just off the charts.”

O'Rourke continued, “He injured himself after his first start–he had a soft-tissue injury, then he had a few other little issues– and we gave him all the time he needed. It was always something just holding him back after that–upper respiratory infection, sore shin, foot abscess, etc. I always felt like the talent was there and all the extra time was only going to be to his benefit. We knew how nice he was. He's a gorgeous-looking horse with the pedigree to match and Brad (Cox) had a very high opinion of him, even as a 2-year-old.”

Mullion got back to business since earning his diploma with a four-furlong breeze in :48.80 (8/40) at Churchill Downs Nov. 26. He will winter at Fair Grounds, O'Rourke reports.

“All of the targets for him will be next year,” O'Rourke said. “I just felt like we didn't need to be in a rush with him. Brad (Cox) agreed and he'll try and go through his conditions down at Fair Grounds, then we'll look about jumping him up in mid-to-late spring. He definitely looks like he could hopefully be a (Grade I) Carter-Met Mile type of horse.”

Mullion was produced by the Empire Maker mare Brooch, a Juddmonte homebred and two-time group winner in Ireland. In addition to Mullion's aforementioned full-brother and fellow 'Rising Star' Mandaloun, the Into Mischief x Empire Maker cross is also responsible for Laurel River, who carried Juddmonte's famed green-and-pink silks to a win in the 2022 GII Pat O'Brien S. at Del Mar; and GSW & MGISP Occult.

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Stallions Fees: That Was The Week That Was

Our man in Ireland, Brian Sheerin, timed his run to the altar to perfection, leaving his colleagues to sort through and try not to miss any of the plentiful stallion fee announcements over the last week or so. He's now back from his Tuscan honeymoon and has been banned from getting married again.

In case any of you were similarly distracted by nuptials, holidays, or binge-watching The Dry, here's a handy TDN overview as to who's up, who's down, and who's new on the stallion scene. (And a tip to those of you entrusted with sending out press releases: try to send them well before 6pm. Certain members of the European desk get a little tetchy if the pouring of the first gin is delayed.)

The Big Boys

Some things in life remain reassuringly expensive, and that can certainly be said for the top stallions in Europe. In this elite sector, it is not usually a case of finding enough breeders to stump up the money, more a worry for the stallion owner as to how not to offend those who won't make the cut for said horse. 

Dubawi (Ire) became the most expensive stallion in the world earlier this year when his fee was raised to £350,000, and he remains at that level for 2024. He is now joined by Frankel (GB), who has gone up from £275,000 and is about to wrestle the champion sire trophy back from his Newmarket neighbour. 

While the rock-solid trio of Wootton Bassett (GB), Sea The Stars (Ire) and Siyouni {Fr) have all had their fees increased after yet more notable results on the track this season, some of the others in this higher bracket have been held at 2023 prices. 

We're including Invincible Spirit (Ire) in this section. He was at his highest price of €120,000 between 2016 and 2019 and dropped to €60,000 in 2022. He has been listed as private since this start of the 2023 covering season, but by dint of seniority (he will turn 27 in January) and influence, he deserves to be included here.

Dubawi £350,000 (-)
Frankel £350,000 (+ £75,000)
Wootton Bassett €200,000 (+ €50,000)
Sea The Stars €200,000 (+ €20,000)
Siyouni €200,000 (+ €50,000)
No Nay Never €150,000 (- €25,000)
Kingman £125,000 (-)
Lope De Vega €125,000 (-)
Night Of Thunder €100,000 (-)
Baaeed £80,000 (-)
New Bay €75,000 (-)
Invincible Spirit PRIVATE (-)

The Middle Ground

Those on the rise in this sector include this season's three 'buzz' sires, the freshmen Too Darn Hot (GB) and Blue Point (Ire), each of whom has been represented by at least one Group 1 winner, and leading second-season sire Havana Grey (GB), who shows no signs of stopping after his breakthrough season in 2022.

We also have the three most expensive new arrivals, led by the four-time Group 1 winner Paddington (GB).

Various press releases from studs last week referred to the challenging yearling sales in 2023 when announcing reduced fees. Often the top end of the market is immune to this, but that wasn't the case this year and there were retractions in most sales sectors, though it has to be said that these came after a frankly extraordinary 2022, the first fully normal season post-pandemic. 

There have been some notable reductions in fees at most levels of the market, and the results of the foal sales will no doubt determine how many deals there are to be done.

Too Darn Hot £65,000 (+ £25,000)
Havana Grey £55,000 (+ £36,500)
Blue Point €60,000 (+ €25,000)
Dark Angel €60,000 (-)
Zarak €60,000 (-)
Paddington €55,000 NEW
Camelot €50,000 (- €10,000)
Mehmas €50,000 (- €10,000)
St Mark's Basilica €50,000 (- €15,000)
Palace Pier  £45,000 (- £5,000)
Showcasing £45,000 (-)
Starspangledbanner €45,000 (- €5,000)
Ace Impact €40,000 NEW
Pinatubo £35,000 (-)
Sea The Moon £32,500 (+ £7,500)
Kodiac   €35,000 (- €5,000)
Modern Games £30,000 NEW
Churchill €30,000 (-)
Galiway €30,000 (-)
Teofilo €30,000 (-)

Twenty-Somethings

Sioux Nation is a big climber in this bracket but he too has had some fine representatives in his second season with runners. Congratulations are due to Caroline Hanly and Sean Ronan for breeding a horse as tough as his son Brave Emperor (Ire), whose 15 outings in two seasons have resulted in nine wins, including four group wins.

There's a number of young stallions here on the verge of being loved or loathed, depending on how their first runners fare. (Mind you, those decisions are now often made as early as the foal sales, with some later having to admit they were wrong to judge so harshly so soon.)

It is good to see the dependable Nathaniel (Ire), who had another Group 1 winner this year in Poptronic (GB), given a little boost, and similar comments apply lower down the fee scale to Golden Horn (GB), who has risen from £8,000 to £10,000. In both cases, however, they have covered plenty of National Hunt mares. 

By the way, Nathaniel and Cracksman are on the list as their sterling-to-euro price conversion elevates them to just beyond the 20,000 mark.

Chaldean £25,000 NEW
Little Big Bear €27,500 NEW
Sioux Nation €27,500 (+ €10,000)
Acclamation €25,000 (- €2,500)
Ghaiyyath €25,000 (-)
Persian King €25,000 (-)
Saxon Warrior €25,000 (- €10,000)
Sottsass €25,000 (-)
Hello Youmzain €22,500 (-)
Blackbeard €20,000 (- €5,000)
State Of Rest €20,000 (- €5,000)
Torquator Tasso €20,000 (-)
Cracksman £17,500 (-)
Nathaniel £17,500 (+ £2,500)

A Bit of Value

We won't name every stallion in the lower fee brackets here as Oliver St Lawrence provides the excellent service of a full list every year and we are reliably informed that his cards are already being printed in time for the sales.

It is worth remembering that bloodstock journalists generally have lemonade pockets, even if they have champagne tastes. In solidarity with small breeders, we are looking here at a selection of stallions whom we consider to offer value for a variety of reasons. 

Vadeni, €18,000 NEW
Let's not forget how brilliant he was at three.

Shaquille, £15,000 NEW
Extremely fast horse who is introduced at a level which is bound to have breeders beating a path to the new Dullingham Park stallion yard. 

Oasis Dream, £15,000
Tremendous value for a horse of this class. Yes, he's rising 24, but it was only two years ago that he was represented by the champion two-year-old Native Trail (GB), who joins Kildangan Stud this year at €17,500.

Mostahdaf, £15,000 NEW
A whole lotta horse who had a humdinger of a season and is rated only one pound behind Equinox (Jpn). And he's by Frankel, no less.

Earthlight, £15,000
Not all sons of Shamardal will take off in the way that Blue Point did with his first runners, but Earthlight's stock have been popular as foals and yearlings, and it's worth sticking with him at this unchanged fee at what could turn out to be his cheapest level.

Study Of Man, £12,500
His fee has also been held at his 2023 price after a year in which a number of people sat up and took notice of his first runners, led by the G2 Beresford S. winner Deepone (Ire). Classily bred, and as a son of Deep Impact (Jpn) his stock should only improve with age.

Erevann, €8,000 NEW
Failed narrowly to notch his Group 1 win, but he was a solid performer. By Dubawi out of Siyouni's first Classic winner Ervedya, Erevann has the pedigree to succeed and is pitched in at a reasonable starting price.

Dream Ahead, £6,500
He remains woefully underrated and should not be overlooked at his lowest price in 12 seasons at stud in three different countries. 

Iquitos, €6,000
A horse that produces two stakes winners from his first crop of only five foals is going to get noticed, and this treble Group 1-winning son of Adlerflug (Ger) has moved from his home farm of Gestut Ammerland to Gestut Graditz and now Gestut Rottgen. His fee is up from €4,000 last year but remains enticing. 

Awtaad, €5,000
The Irish 2,000 Guineas winner remains at the same fee he's been for the last two seasons even after notching two Group/Grade 1 winners this year. Awtaad may not be prolific but he is more than capable of siring a good horse. 

King Of Change, €5,000
He has been clipped in from €6,000 ahead of his first runners hitting the track in 2024. It remains deeply regrettable that his sire Farhh (GB) does not have better fertility because he is plainly a good stallion. Time will tell if King Of Change can pick up the baton but he's a Group 1 winner from a decent enough family and it's worth taking a chance at this price.

 

The post Stallions Fees: That Was The Week That Was appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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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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