“As long as he's going well and he's healthy, that's definitely the plan,” Field said. “He was unluckily beaten last year in the Platinum Jubilee when he was held up at a vital stage, and I think he can go back there. There's no question he's got the ability, and he's more seasoned from the experience.”

Before Ascot, the 4-year-old is set to make his seasonal debut in the G1 Canterbury S. at Royal Randwick on Mar. 4. Leading Hong Kong jockey Zac Purton will be aboard and will ride in his native Australia for the first time since the 2018 G1 Melbourne Cup.

“Artorius is a very important horse to us,” Field said. “He has such an elite profile that we had to think outside the square rider-wise, and Zac is one of the dominant riders anywhere in the world right now. He's probably as good a rider as there's ever been in Hong Kong, and a very strong rider that we thought would suit Artorius nicely.”

Artorius was also third in the G1 Darley July Cup at Newmarket and hasn't run since a sixth-place finish in the G1 Arc Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville on Aug. 7.

The colt will likely return to Australia to contest the G1 Everest S. at Royal Randwick on Oct. 14 in what will likely be his final start in that richest sprint race the world has to offer at A$15.

“I'd say it will be very likely he'll be retired to stud at the end of this season, but I do genuinely believe he is a horse with enough natural ability to win an Everest, so those conversations will be had with the ownership group,” Field said.

Artorius has not won a race since taking the 2021 G1 Blue Diamond S. but has placed in five Group 1s. He won a trial race at Warwick Farm last week in preparation for his comeback. His career line stands at 14-2-3-4 and he has amassed A$1,808,349 in prize-money.

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“There is no question that Extreme Choice is a very rare commodity and one of the best young sires on the planet,” said Newgate Managing Director, Henry Field. “It is no secret that his fertility and libido are sub-optimal and as such, in order to make the most out of this extraordinary young sire, the decision has been made to breed with him Northern Hemisphere time. In a market that is buying a very high number of Northern Hemisphere-bred horses annually for significant sums of money, we feel the market is mature enough to really get behind this concept. So good a sire is Extreme Choice that I envisage that he'll be capable of siring elite Royal Ascot 2-year-old winners for those that choose to send his progeny to the Northern Hemisphere to race. For those that choose to grow out the progeny in Australia and race them as 3-year-olds and beyond, they will have a massive opportunity to participate in the same races that we have seen so many Northern Hemisphere-bred horses taste success in over the past few years.”

Extreme Choice will stand the Northern Hemisphere breeding season at Newgate Farm in Australia. For further information, contact the Newgate Bloodstock Team.

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The November sale was topped by the supplemented GI Coaching Club American Oaks winner Paris Lights (Curlin) (hip 224D), who was consigned by Brad Weisbord and Liz Crow's EliTE, as agent for WinStar Farm/WinStar Stablemates. Despite the passing of its founder B. Wayne Hughes this past August, Spendthrift Farm continued an aggressive buying spree dating back to last year's breeding stock sales, going to $3.1 million for the daughter of Paris Bikini (Bernardini). Paris Lights was one of seven mares that eclipsed the seven-figure mark at Keeneland, each of which was secured by a different buyer, while the 41 horses that sold for a pricetag in excess of $500,000 were acquired by some 30 unique entities.

The 2021 November Sale also warmly welcomed the return of a broad international buying bench, as the United States conditionally opened its borders on the eve of the auction Nov. 8. Bidding was spirited at every level of the sale, across each of the five books that was capped by Friday's equally vibrant Horses of Racing Age Section (see related story). So lively was the bidding that by the time the dust had settled on the Book 3 finale Nov. 14, the sale had already soared past the gross for the entire COVID-impacted event in 2020.

The weanling section of the sale also featured competitive bidding, with end-users and resellers alike making their presence felt. Four Star Sales sold the highest-priced foal of the sale (hip 144), an $800,000 Frankel (GB) half-sister to MGSW Nay Lady Nay (Ire) (No Nay Never) and GSW/MG1SP Arizona (Ire) (No Nay Never) to Midlantic-based trainer Phil Schoenthal, agent for Matt Dorman's D. Hatman Thoroughbreds.

The level of engagement augurs well for horse racing and breeding, Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said.

“Excitement for racing and confidence in the future of our sport globally are positive trends for the entire horse industry,” she commented. “The November Sale continued the optimism we saw in September with great energy on the sales grounds, smiling faces all around and people having fun doing what they love. As in September, Keeneland worked to elevate the sales atmosphere with many little touches that we hope consignors and buyers really enjoyed, and that helped create a terrific environment to showcase the quality individuals that breeders and sellers brought to market. We are delighted with the enthusiastic response of buyers.”

Opening of Borders Comes In The Nick of Time…

Following an 18-month interruption owing to the coronavirus, the United States officially re-opened its borders to fully vaccinated international travelers Monday, Nov. 8, one day prior to the Fasig-Tipton November Sale and two days before the start of Keeneland November. The sales sheets bear out that the international buying bench contributed mightily to the overall sales performance at all price points.

On the heels of two landmark victories at the Breeders' Cup at Del Mar, Japanese interests were active at the top and middle levels of the market–as is their custom–with Masahiro Miki signing for three lots for $3,675,000, topped by the $2.3 million Pink Sands (Tapit) (hip 183). Katsumi Yoshida added New Jersey-bred Horologist (Gemologist) (hip 200) to his formidable broodmare band at Northern Farm, paying $800,000 for the MGSW and MGISP mare.

Keeneland November grad Gypsy Robin (Daaher, $750,000, 2013) became the dam of G1 A. J. Moir S. hero Wild Ruler (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}) at Melbourne's Moonee Valley Racecourse late last month, the latest major success of American-sourced bloodstock Down Under. Looking for lightning to strike again–and hopefully again and again–that 4-year-old colt's part-owner Newgate Farm (Henry Field) teamed with SF Bloodstock on no fewer than five purchases, led by MGSW Tonalist's Shape (Tonalist) (hip 46). Australian horsemen Julian Blaxland, Will Johnson, Bruce Slade and Craig Rounsefell were prominent players, as were trainers Richard and Michael Freedman.

Another quality mare books her ticket to . She's So Special is just that, she's the Stakes winning daughter of Hard Spun. We can't wait to see her in Sydney. https://t.co/bqauBtS5nt

— Freedman Brothers (@Freedman_bros) November 11, 2021

The sale's back books drew buyers from Central America, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Turkey, a function of Keeneland's aggressive strategy to recruit buyers from these 'emerging' racing jurisdictions.

As with any sporting event, it's great to watch on TV and all, but nothing beats being there in person, said Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy.

“The opening of the U.S. borders just two days before the sale really created an atmosphere and brought back a feeling of probably 10-15 years ago, when you had a really vibrant international market,” said Lacy. “The presence of the Australians was really welcomed, because American broodmares have been doing exceptionally well in their gene pool. It was great to see the Europeans coming back here and spending money again. The attraction of American pedigrees is starting to gain traction again. I think going forward there is real momentum and I think we've got a real good base to work off in the future.”

Added Keeneland Director of Sales Cormac Breathnach, “American bloodlines are so valuable around the world and are huge contributors to studbooks in various jurisdictions. We are privileged and fortunate to be able to present that market to the world here at Keeneland and with the support of all the breeders and consignors that send us such quality stock. The market has been very strong, the international participation is consistent and very valuable to us and it's exciting for us to be on this end of it.”

'Cool' Marketplace Fosters Confidence, Stability…

Another positive in Lacy's eyes is the re-emergence of buyers at the November Sale who had availed themselves of a break of as many as 15 years from the sales.

“I think what is really encouraging is that you're seeing some people that might have been inactive for a number of years [buying horses],” he offered. “I'll use Bill Casner as an example. Bill has been active, but at a slightly lower level. This year he came back and bought at a significant level. If you look at the results through Books 1 and 2, you see people who have purchased farms that were active and really doubling down, stocking up for their farms.”

And that helps to maintain a relatively even keel, according to Lacy.

“I think even if we have a correction in the market over the next few years, you won't have the same panic in the market because of the fact that this is real money that's being invested,” he said. “There's confidence. Prize money being up has really helped and the fact that we have partnerships that are buying racehorses has invigorated the yearling market. When you have a vibrant yearling market, the reaction is that people think 'alright, it's valuable to breed these horses' and to have a market to sustain it. That's extremely encouraging. I don't think the market is overheating in any way. If you look at the results from 2018-2019–eliminate the results from 2020–but look at 2021, you actually see a straight line. There's a very consistent line of growth. 2020 was a bit of anomaly, but last year was actually better than what we thought it might be. There was a demand for young stock and it's carried over here.”

Breathnach concurred.

“There's a lot of help in the industry, from the sporting end with high purses and handle has been very good and there is a lot of energy around the sport again,” he explained. “People made money in September and now they're reinvesting now with confidence, because like Tony said, it feels like a very fair, sound market and something that is sustainable, because there is a balance between supply and demand and there is a real appetite to buy and to fill orders and they're not getting them filled in many cases. They're getting pushed back in the books and now they're going to be back in January to try to fill their orders there.”

Following Through On A Vision…

In a TDN interview with Katie Petrunyak after being named to his new role earlier this year, Lacy said he was committed to enhancing the buying experience for the auction house's clientele, making it fun and exciting. With Keeneland's two biggest sales now in the rearview, it is clear Lacy very much intends on seeing that task through.

“We've been really focused on creating a little more energy, a little more excitement and a little more of an atmosphere around the grounds,” he said. “In September, we had to duct tape a lot of things together to make this work, starting in early summer. It's been well received. A lot of international and out-of-town customers have really enjoyed themselves and I think that's something we want to try to build on.

“It's a transactional business, but we also realize that there is a lot enjoyment in trying to source and buy quality stock,” he continued. “That's something we'll be focusing on more and more. We want make sure that people realize that when you invest here, it increases prize money, it allows us to do more development. We're also really excited about having the Breeders' Cup here next year. Next November is going to be a really exciting time and we're already planning for what we can do then.”

An ELiTE November Topper…

One might think that selling a horse for $3.1 million wouldn't necessarily elicit a significant reaction from ELiTE Sales' Brad Weisbord within the context of having consigned the likes of champions Monomoy Girl ($9.5 million) and Midnight Bisou ($5 million) and Uni (GB) ($4.1 million) on a single night a little more than a year ago. But Weisbord, who said has seen his baby daughter a grand total of 'one day in the last five weeks,' was still basking in the afterglow of the sale of Paris Lights nine days after she went through the ring at Keeneland November.

“It's been a great November,” said Weisbord. “It was a pleasant surprise to hear from Elliott Walden two weeks before the sale, saying that he was giving us Paris Lights to sell. We put our heads together and seeing all those headliners at Fasig-Tipton, we thought it was best to bring Paris Lights to Keeneland because she would have a chance to shine there. This was a case of being the last big fish in the sales ring and everybody lined up on her. To sell a $3-million mare, even in a healthy market, is a giant deal and we were very appreciative of the opportunity.”

Like so many others, Weisbord has been taken by the performance of the market over the last week and a half.

“This, for me, is the best market we've ever participated in,” he said. “I thought the same thing last year and this year is even better. The health of the worldwide economy is continuing to strengthen. We have probably never seen this strong a market at the upper end. We had five millionaires and there was very active bidding well above our reserves for all five of them.”

In 2017 when ELiTE came to life, I was confident in our model/vision but never dreamed of this. Paris Lights yesterday became our first @keeneland sales topper and our 5th million dollar filly this Nov, 20th overall. Her 3.1M price brought @EliteRaceSales over 100M in sales (1/2) pic.twitter.com/qpTFy8CWxc

— Bradley Weisbord (@BradWeisbord) November 11, 2021

Taylor Made Tops Among Consignors…

There are a few constants in life: death, taxes and Taylor Made Sales topping the consignors' table at Keeneland November.

And so it was in 2021, as the agency sold 246 head for $23,873,200 to reign as king of that particular hill for the 25th time since 1990.

“We've got a great base of customers, many of whom have been with us for decades and continually give us good horses,” Taylor Made's Mark Taylor commented. “We've got a hell of a team. A lot of the people that work for us could run their own consignments, they know what they're doing. Us Taylors are just the conduits between the employees and the customer. We're very lucky. Thanksgiving is coming up, so we're very grateful.”

Given the strength of the year's previous auctions, Taylor said the overall results of the November sale were not totally unexpected, yet simultaneously a bit surprising.

“What was encouraging was that it was strong from start to finish and there was demand for horses at all levels. It was really good,” he said. “It exceeded my expectations in this way. I thought that our high six-figure and seven-figure horses, that we would be selling into a very healthy market. The middle market commercial breeders–what we have been seeing is signs of them shrinking down. Wherever they are in the market, they want to sell off and have higher quality. The cost of keeping them and raising them keeps going up and then also the veterinary scrutiny continues to get more intense.

“It's totally out of their control,” he added. “You're raising this animal that you're bringing to the market and there's so much intense vet scrutiny that a lot of the commercial breeders just can't stomach it. It's so hard to hit a home run, and even when you have a horse that's capable of it, sometimes it takes just one or two opinions and instead of hitting a home run, you're striking out. It's a hard business model because there is so much unpredictability in that way. I was pleasantly surprised that there was so much demand for those mares. I thought it was going to get really thin and really weak once we hit Book 3, but that was not the case. It's a testament to how much people love this game. That they're willing to reinvest and plow money back in.”

Ingordo: Buying Horses 'Was Not Easy'…

Noted bloodstock agent David Ingordo was one of many buyers who found the sledding to be pretty tough at the November sale. That being said, he wasn't complaining and also sees a bright future for the sport.

“On the heels of as good a September sale as I've ever seen and a yearling sales season that was phenomenal, quite frankly, it was expected that November would be a good market,” he said. “I'm usually a foal buyer, but I was not able to get anything bought in my price range and at my comfort level for what my needs were. We got outbid quite a bit, I thought the foal market was quite strong, and deservedly so. Pinhookers had a good year, end-users are buying more weanlings now than they ever have and there is just a lot of competition for good foals.

He continued, “On the mare side, again it goes back to good yearling sales. A lot of people are reinvesting in mares, making key acquisitions for broodmare bands, and that was difficult to do as well. On the value side of the broodmare market, there were a lot of people supporting their various sires and we saw a lot of mare competition and it was tough. We were able to buy horses that we wanted, but it was not an easy process.”

Ingordo signed 19 tickets to support new Lane's End stallion Code of Honor (Noble Mission {GB}) and another half-dozen in the name of Gage Hill II in partnership with Lane's End.

“Code of Honor is a very attractive horse and stands over a lot of ground,” he explained. “Physically we're thinking to add some strength and some body to the mares we breed to him. He won what is historically one of the best 2-year-old races at Saratoga and got beat a lip in the Champagne, so he has 2-year-old form. We're looking to try to make him a commercial horse and try to get some runners out there early. We bought some speedy types of physicals from sire lines we felt would bring additional precocity that he himself had. He's a wide-open horse to breed to pedigree-wise, so we were able to find a wide variety of mares that fit him. As is becoming our model, we are committed to supporting these horses with mares, we're going to buy yearlings and weanlings by him, we're going to buy 2-year-olds. And people that breed to him, we're going to support those that breed to the horse by buying horses off them as well.”

The sales are a means to an end and Ingordo is encouraged not only by the results of the past week-plus, but also by the state of the horse racing business.

“That winning post about a quarter-mile up from the pavilion and the winner's circle is what drives this,” he said, referring to the Keeneland finish line. “Racing is healthier than is sometimes reported, we seem to always focus on the negatives. I personally race horses and we make our racing stable work based on the prize money we can win. It covers the bills and hopefully we create a product that we can sell as a stallion or a broodmare or whatever. Purses are good and there is a demand I haven't seen for some time. It is quite refreshing to see just how many people want to race horses at whatever level they're able to do it. Even if you have a claiming horse, you can still make it make sense. That is something we need to focus on as a big positive and realize that is what is driving all this demand. Someone has to produce those horses, so the breeders are being rewarded for producing a nice horse, and whatever region they're in, people want to race.”

What They're Saying At The Sales…

“I think I'm like everyone else…OMG is the explanation for it. The strength of the market is mind-boggling, the strength of the stock market is mind-boggling. There's just so much money in the world right now and you combine that with the accelerated depreciation we're getting, purse money is up and overall gambling on racing continues to move forward. We've got as close to a perfect storm in the horse business probably since all that crazy money in the early 80s. It's as good as it's been since the turn of the century.

“The increase in the $10,000 to $60,000 horse, which was sometimes unsellable, there now seems to be a fervent market for those horses. I don't know where the money is coming from, but it's great for the industry.”

–Bradley Thoroughbreds' Peter Bradley

All good things must come to an end. From all of us at Keeneland, thank you! #KeeNov pic.twitter.com/EoTgvF8PWZ

— Keeneland Sales (@keenelandsales) November 19, 2021

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“We wanted to try and put together what was fair and effectively a lucrative market for vendors and buyers to operate in, and it's hard to escape the conclusion at the end of the Sale that that has happened. It feels very healthy,” Sebastian Hutch, Inglis's General Manager of Bloodstock Sales and Marketing told TDNAusNZ.

As is frequently the case at Easter, the progeny of bloodstock sourced in the U.S. proved popular and to follow is a brief recap of some of those sellers:

Lot 102, c, Fastnet Rock (Aus)–Stormy Lucy, by Stormy Atlantic
Purchased by Tasman Bloodstock for A$475,000

This is the second produce for Stormy Lucy, who won her maiden for $30,000 in 2012 and scaled the heights to upset the 2015 GI Matriarch S. at 65-1. A half-sister to the dam of GSW turf sprinter Big Runnuer (Stormy Atlantic), Stormy Lucy fetched $575,000 from SF Bloodstock at the 2016 Fasig-Tipton Horses of All Ages Sale and was sold with this colt in utero for A$775,000 at the 2019 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.

Lot 213, c, I Am Invincible (Aus)–Beat the Benchmark, by Speightstown
Purchased by Rosemont Victorian Alliance /Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA)/David Redvers Bloodstock for $525,000

A $300,000 FTSAUG yearling, Beat the Benchmark made a winning debut and was third in the GI Natalma S. in 2016, and was purchased by Anthony Penfold for $400,000 at FTKNOV in 2017. This is the first foal for the half-sister to SW & GSP Abraham (Distorted Humor) from the family of GSW/GISP Miss Isella (Silver Charm).

Lot 283, c, Written Tycoon (Aus)–Dream Play, by Hennessy
Purchased by Tom Magnier/James Bester B'stock for A$1,100,000

Winner of the 2009 GII Comely S. for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, Dream Play–a half-sister to GISW Diplomat Lady (Forestry)–was sold to James Bester for $460,000 at FTKNOV later that fall. The mare's Southern Hemisphere produce include GSW & G1SP Zululand (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) and GSP Chicago Bull (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}).

Lot 332, f, Exceed and Excel (Aus)–Heart Ashley, by Lion Heart
Purchased by Freedman Bros/China Horse Club for A$500,000

Heart Ashley, the 2009 GIII Cicada S. winner, was purchased by Bester for $500,000 at the 2010 Keeneland November sale and the half-sister to GISW Cupid (Tapit), GSW Ashley's Kitten (Tale of the Cat) and SW Indianapolis (Medaglia d'Oro) has been responsible for Fiano Romano (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), a multiple Group 3 winner in Japan, as well as Spendthrift Australia's Group 3-placed Ameristralia (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), both Easter grads.

Lot 334, f, I Am Invincible (Aus)–Helena's Secret, by Five Star Day
Purchased by IRON/George Moore Bloodstock for A$420,000

A maiden winner from five starts, Helena's Secret wa a $200,000 purchase at KEENOV in 2011. The half-sister to SW & GSP Tears I Cry (Chester House) from the family of Street Cry (Ire) and Shamardal, is the dam of GSW & G1SP Thronum (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}) from five Australian foals to race. Click for more on IRON from TDNAusNZ.

Lot 351, c, Deep Field (Aus)–Invading Humor, by Invasor (Arg)
Purchased by A R Bell Racing for A$380,000

New York-bred and half-million dollar winner Invading Humor was a three-time restricted stakes winner before being scooped up by SF Bloodstock & Newgate Farm–home of the successful Deep Field–for $100,000 at FTKNOV in 2016. This is the second foal for the full-sister to MSP New York-bred Distorted Beauty.

Lot 405, c, Capitalist (Aus)–Ma Can Do It, by Majesticperfection
Purchased by George Moore Bloodstock for A$725,000

Third in the 2015 GI Darley Alcibiades S. and runner-up in the GII Black-Eyed Susan S. in 2016, Ma Can Do It was knocked down to SF/Newgate for $300,000 at FTKNOV that fall. This is also her second produce.

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Bred in Kentucky by CresRan and sold for $250,000 as a Keeneland September yearling, Bulletin first raced for the partnership of WinStar Farm, China Horse Club and SF Racing and was trained by Todd Pletcher to a debut victory in the Hollywood Beach S. ahead of a 2 3/4-length tally in the Juvenile Turf Sprint, contested in testing underfoot conditions. Winner of the Palisades Turf Sprint in five starts at three, Bulletin made a pair of starts under the care of Steve Asmussen last season, including a runner-up effort in a turf sprint allowance at Churchill when last seen in June.

Now racing for a conglomerate headed up by Australia’s Newgate Stud Farm and China Horse Club, the son of GSW Sue’s Good News (Woodman) will break from gate four in a field of seven. Newgate also campaigned multiple Group 1 winner Con Te Partiro with Waterhouse and Bott, and the horsewoman is expecting a positive result.

“Like a lot of horses I have got from overseas, it has taken a little time for him to acclimatise, but he will give a great show on Saturday. Small fish are sweet to start with,” Waterhouse recently told the Sydney Morning Herald. “He is more like a gelding, he has a lovely attitude. He is a very kind sort of horse, a very nice horse.”

Bulletin, who has finished second in a pair of trials at Randwick leading up to this local unveiling (video), is a half-brother to GISW Tiz Miz Sue (Tiznow), the dam of the Japanese-based, UAE Group 3-placed Serein (Uncle Mo). The female family also includes champion Cozzene, champion and MG1SW Hawkbill (Kitten’s Joy), GISW Free Drop Billy (Union Rags) and ‘TDN Rising Star’ Souper Sensational (Curlin).

“He is worth a go down here,” Newgate’s Henry Field told the Morning Herald. “We were involved with him as a very good 2-year-old on turf in the States, but most of their big races over there are on dirt and he just didn’t handle it. After Con Te Partiro, we know if you find the right horse for Gai and her team, it can work. He is a Breeders’ Cup winner and is still an entire, so if he can work on the track he would have a future as a stallion.”

Bulletin will be ridden by Tim Clark, with post time set for 1:30 p.m. local time Saturday (9:30 p.m. ET Friday evening).

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A $130,000 purchase by Gatewood Bell’s Cromwell Bloodstock out of the 2015 Keeneland September Sale and trained in America by Wesley Ward, the daughter of Temple Street (Street Cry {Ire}) graduated by 5 1/2 lengths at first asking going 4 1/2 furlongs on the Keeneland main track, then rolled by 5 3/4 lengths when trying the grass for the first time in the Bolton Landing S. at Saratoga two starts later. She was also runner-up against the boys in the Juvenile Turf Sprint before it became a Breeders’ Cup event in 2016.

Part of the Ward contingent at Royal Ascot the following spring, Con Te Partiro belied odds of 20-1 in the prestigious Listed Sandringham H., defeating 23 rivals in the process and was placed in the nine-furlong GIII Arlington Matron S. on the Polytrack in 2018 before selling to Newgate Farm and SF Bloodstock for $575,000 at Fasig-Tipton November.

Turned over to the legendary Gai Waterhouse and co-trainer Adrian Bott, Con Te Partiro made a spectacular start to her Australian career, taking the G3 Dark Jewel Classic (1400mT) in May of 2019. She resumed from a five-month spell to upset the field in the G1 Coolmore Classic (1400mT) (video) in heavy ground this past March, added a smooth success in the G1 Coolmore Legacy S. (1600mT) (see below) and was most recently fifth, beaten just 3/4 of a length, behind the classy Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}). Third home that day was Fierce Impact (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), who prevailed in Saturday’s G1 Makybe Diva S. at Flemington Racecourse.

WATCH: Con Te Partiro wins the G1 Coolmore Legacy S.

“It is remarkable to reflect on what Con Te Partiro has achieved in her racing career,” Waterhouse said. “It is a rare feat in itself to win stakes races on three continents, but it is her performances at the elite level in Australia for which she will be remembered. Con Te Partiro won both of the time-honored Group 1 races, the Coolmore Classic and the Coolmore Legacy, making her, arguably, the best-performed mare in Australia.”

Added SF Bloodstock’s Tom Ryan: “Con Te Partiro truly is a one-of-a-kind mare,” said Tom Ryan of SF Bloodstock. “Her accomplishments on the track–including two Grade 1 wins in Australia, stakes victories at both the Royal Ascot and Saratoga race meets and successes on both dirt and turf–put her in an elite category of racehorses with the ability to perform at the highest level around the world.”

Ryan indicated that Con Te Partiro could take on the boys in the GI Breeders’ Cup Mile or remain with her own sex for the GI Filly & Mare Turf.

Con Te Partiro, whose Grade I-placed dam has also produced SW & MGSP Donworth (Tiznow), is one of 31 worldwide GI/G1SWs for her late sire and is from the extended family of four-time champion Beholder (Henny Hughes), Grade I winner and 2016 Keeneland September sales-topper Mendelssohn (Scat Daddy) and Grade I winner and leading sire Into Mischief (Harlan’s Holiday).

“Con Te Partiro has excelled at the highest level of international racing while she has exemplified just how small the global Thoroughbred industry is,” Keeneland President-Elect and Interim Head of Sales Shannon Arvin said. “We are thrilled to hold a Keeneland homecoming for Con Te Partiro. She sold as a yearling at the September Sale and she began her racing career here during the 2016 Spring Meet. We look forward to presenting her at the November Sale with all the fanfare she deserves.”

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