Tag: Paul Varga

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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$650k Ancient Peace Tops Competitive KEEJAN Session

LEXINGTON, KY – The Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale continued to keep pace with its 2021 renewal with a day of competitive bidding topped by the 3-year-old filly Ancient Peace (War Front), who sold for $650,000 to Travis Boersma's Boardshorts Stables late in Tuesday's second session of the four-day auction.

“It started strong and it held pace,” said Keeneland's Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy. “We've got to be very encouraged with the consistency within the market. Quality was selling well. There was hunger for the good stock and it was very competitive on the buying front, with frustrated buyers in certain cases, but people were happy with what they were getting for most of the stock. There was good energy around the place and I think it bodes well as we power into 2023 and the breeding season ahead.”

Through the auction's two-session Book 1 section, 475 horses sold for $36,126,900. The average of $76,057 is up 5.47% from last year, while the median held steady at $40,000.

After two sessions in 2022, 511 head had sold for $36,848,700 for an average of $72,111.

Ancient Peace, who was supplemented to the January sale late last week after breaking her maiden at the end of December, was one of three racing or broodmare prospects to top the $500,000 mark Tuesday, while three short yearlings–topped by a son of Uncle Mo at $340,000–brought over $300,000.

“Young mares off the track and proven mares were extremely appealing and people were paying a premium for them,” Lacy said. “Quality is in strong demand. People aren't willing to spend a lot of money on something they don't feel has strong marketable value. I think it is going to be healthy all the way through [end of sale]. If you have a nice individual, it will be found.”

The January sale continued to attract a deep domestic buying bench, with the top 15 offerings bought by 14 different entities.

The buy-back rate, which was 31.29% during Monday's first session of the January sale, dropped to 22.53% Tuesday for a cumulative figure of 26.92%.

“Yesterday, I heard a lot of people making comments that the RNA percentage was high,” said Mark Taylor of Taylor Made Sales Agency. “But what is difficult for sellers, when you're in a Book 1 of January and you've got a wide variety of horses all in one session–you have half-million dollar horses and you've got $5,000 horses–that's just January. That's just the way it is. So it's a very up and down, emotional day. Some of the sellers see horses bringing a lot of money and they think their's should be doing that. You've got to keep everybody's feet on the ground to know your product. We did have very lively post-hammer trade yesterday. We originally had nine RNA's, but we got five of those sold. So it ended up being a very healthy day for us. But we stubbed our toe a couple times along the way.”

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

Ancient Peace Provides Late Sizzle

Ancient Peace (War Front) (hip 840E), who was supplemented to the Keeneland January sale late last week, became the auction's highest seller when acquired by Hunter Rankin on behalf of Travis Boersma's Boardshorts Stables for $650,000. The newly turned 3-year-old, from a deep Sam-Son family, was acquired by Mike Ryan for $180,000 at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale. She graduated by a front-running 4 1/4 lengths at Santa Anita Dec. 30 for Ryan and trainer Graham Motion.

“We loved her from the start,” Rankin said. “We are happy that Mike Ryan supplemented her to the sale. We are trying to get something going and I think she's a really good foundation horse for Travis Boersma. She's just an exciting filly.”

Boersma is the co-founder and executive chairman of the Oregan-based coffee chain Dutch Bros. He made waves recently as the purchaser of the $4.6-million share in Flightline (Tapit) at Keeneland's November sale.

Rankin said immediate plans for Ancient Peace are still up in the air.

“We haven't totally decided yet,” he said. “We are going to get her off the sale and see how things go. We are going to get her to the farm and hang out and then make a plan.”

Also Tuesday, Boardshorts Stables purchased the 4-year-old broodmare prospect Empire Hope (Empire Maker) (hip 814) for $450,000 from the Indian Creek consignment.

Ancient Peace is out of graded stakes winner Deceptive Vision (A.P. Indy), a daughter of champion Eye of the Sphynx (Smart Strike) and a full-sister to champion Eye of the Leopard.

As part of the dispersal of Canada's historic Sam-Son Farm, Deceptive Vision sold to John Sikura's Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa for $900,000 at the 2021 Keeneland January sale. Sikura, as well as Canadian breeder Dave Anderson, were in the sales pavilion as Ancient Peace sold Tuesday.

Ancient Peace was originally purchased by Ryan to pinhook at the 2-year-old sales, according to Sarah Sutherland of Indian Creek, which consigned the filly.

“That was the original plan,” Sutherland confirmed. “She did breeze at OBS with Niall Brennan and he decided to keep her and race her. You've got to sell some and you have to keep some. It all worked out well. She was bought right and sold well.”

Of the filly's final price, Sutherland added, “It was in the range we thought she deserved to be. The timing worked out with her win and she came in looking fantastic and her pedigree speaks for itself. She showed great, was well-received and is going to an end-user, so it's all good.”

Lazenby Adds to Broodmare Band

Gigi Lazenby, sister of the late trainer David Banks, has been involved in racing for years, but has recently decided to increase her participation with the purchase of some high-priced broodmares. Through agent James Schenk, and with Claiborne Farm's Walker Hancock advising, she made her second purchase of the January sale when going to $600,000 to acquire England's Rose (English Channel) (hip 816) from the Lane's End consignment.

“I've been around for a long time,” Lazenby said Tuesday. “My brother was a trainer here in town and I have an oil company over in Eastern Kentucky. The last couple of years, I decided to try to step it up a little bit. And Walker and Jimmy Schenk–he's been a friend of mine and he was a friend of my brother's for years. My brother was a trainer and this is all sort of for him.”

The 7-year-old England's Rose, out of stakes-placed Gingham and Lace (Kris S.), won the 2021 Swingtime S. and was second in last year's GI Matriarch S. and GII Goldikova S. racing for the partnership of Mercedes Stables, West Point Thoroughbreds, Scott Dilworth, David and Dorothy Ingordo and Steve Mooney and trainer John Shirreffs.

“I am just happy with this mare,” Lazenby said. “I think she is going to be really nice. And she has a lot of possible stallions that we have to talk about.”

During Monday's first session of the auction, Schenck signed the ticket at $325,000 to acquire graded stakes winner Domain Expertise (Kitten's Joy) (hip 382) on behalf of Lazenby.

“We'd like to have four or five [broodmares],” Lazenby said. “We had a couple we've bought in the last few years. We are really interested in selling the foals. We've talked to Walker about that. We know they [Claiborne] raise a great horse. And they sell a great horse.”

Lazenby continued, “It's been a great experience. And we're enjoying it. It's just kind of fun that I had an opportunity at this time to invest back into this community, because I love it.”

In Good Spirits Has Date with Life Is Good

Graded stakes winner In Good Spirits (Ghostzapper) (hip 474), who RNA'd for $495,000 at the Fasig-Tipton November sale two months ago, found a new home when selling for $550,000 during Tuesday's session of the Keeneland January sale. Jacob West, bidding over the internet, acquired the mare on behalf of Mike Repole's Repole Stable.

“She was one of a few graded stakes winners in the catalog, so she stuck out in here as far as quality,” West said. “She was a very fast mare and by a stallion that is really making his name as a broodmare sire. She always ran in great company and held her own. She has been purchased for Life Is Good. Mike is a shareholder and wanted to make sure he supported him with a top quality mare.”

Paul Varga's Bal Mar Equine campaigned the mare, who was a $200,000 purchase by bloodstock agent Steve Young at the 2018 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale. She won the 2021 GIII Mint Ladies Sprint S. and was second in that year's GIII Caress S. and third in the 2020 GIII Regret S. for trainer Al Stall.

“I felt very validated because I loved that mare,” said Mark Taylor of Taylor Made Sales Agency, which consigned In Good Spirits on behalf of Varga at both auctions. “We had her in November and she didn't sell. She had come off the track and we had her in as a racing or broodmare, and it might have muddied the waters. Some of the breeders might have thought they would be bidding against race people. So this time, we decided to hit the reset button, put her in as a broodmare only and just focus on that market of people. I told everyone upfront the reserve was going to be lower, so everyone felt comfortable getting involved.”

Taylor added the mare may have gotten lost in the shuffle of buyers making a quick turnaround after Breeders' Cup championship weekend.

“In November, with the Breeders' Cup being there, it was a very accelerated pace and I felt like people were kind of rushing and really didn't appreciate what was in front of them,” Taylor said. “She was a bigger fish in this pond. This catalogue is very solid, but there is not million-dollar mares all over the place. I thought going in she was in the top 15-20% of the catalogue, she might be end up being in the top 5%.”

In Good Spirits is out of Mon Arch Lass (Arch), a half-sister to multiple stakes winner Sir Five Star (Five Star Day) and multiple graded placed Starship Universe (Mineshaft).

“She's a beautiful mare,” said Taylor. “Al Stall did a great job developing her. There was a lot to sell there. She is kind of what everybody is looking for. She's fresh off the track and ready to breed. She's got the pedigree and she's got the race record.”

Varga, the retired chairman and CEO of Louisville's Brown-Forman, also campaigns last year's GI Beverly D. S. winner Dalika (Ger) (Pastorius {Ger}).

Castleton Way Stretches for Uncle Mo Colt

Marshall Taylor, whose Castleton Way pinhooking partnership had a banner first season last year, has been busy restocking this week in Lexington and made his biggest splash of the January sale when going to $340,000 to acquire a colt by Uncle Mo (hip 763) from the Lane's End consignment Tuesday.

“He was a nice colt and we liked him and wanted to give him a chance,” Taylor said. “He had a great walk and a beautiful physical. He's a late May foal, so I think he will keep improving. He looked like a horse with a lot of upside.”

The bay colt is out of Canteen (Candy Ride {Arg}) and was bred by Peter Brant's White Birch Farm which purchased the mare for $550,000 at the 2017 Keeneland September sale.

Castleton Way purchased a Not This Time filly for $100,000 at the 2021 Keeneland November sale and resold her for $675,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale. A Ghostzapper filly purchased by the group for $115,000 at the 2021 Keeneland November sale resold for $340,000 at the Fasig-Tipton New York-Bred Yearling Sale.

“I grew the partnership a little bit this year,” Taylor said, “But we are sticking to upper echelon stuff. This was the highest priced one that we've bought. Last year, we had a few over $100,000 and this year we expanded a little bit more.”

Hip 763 was the third short yearling Taylor signed for during the first two sessions of the January sale. During Monday's first session, he purchased a filly by Not This Time (hip 93) for $160,000 and a daughter of Munnings (hip 305) for $170,000.

“You've got to hope the market stays good and the economy stays good,” Taylor said. “I think there is more of a demand for yearlings and racehorses than mares. It feels like the mare market gets soft after a mare has been bred a few times and hasn't produced anything. But I feel like with the weanling, yearling and 2-year-old market, it seems like a lot more people want to have a racehorse than want to be long-term with the mares. Purses are really good and the foal crop is shrinking every year, so there is more demand for these horses. So you just have to hope the market doesn't crash, say your prayers and hope the colt keeps going the right way. And hopefully we'll have some success.”

Jackpot, Heiligbrodts Team for Another Uncle Mo

Bill and Corinne Heiligbrodt and Terry Green's Jackpot Farm, who are partners on stakes winner and multiple Grade I-placed Gulfport (Uncle Mo), joined forces to purchase another son of Uncle Mo Tuesday at Keeneland. Jackpot advisor Bobby Powell, sitting alongside Heiligbrodt advisor Susan Montanye, signed the ticket at $335,000 to acquire hip 699 from the Eaton Sales consignment.

“The goal was, let's see if we can find another Gulfport,” Powell said of the decision to bid on the short yearling. “There are options on the table for what we do with him, whether he's a resale later in the year or if he's in the stable. But those guys have options. We will just let the horse grow up and let time tell us what to do.”

The bay colt is out of the unraced Victory Party (Yankee Victor), a daughter of Leslie's Lady (Tricky Creek) and a half-sister to champion Beholder (Henny Hughes), Grade I winner Mendelssohn (Scat Daddy) and leading sire Into Mischief (Harlan's Holiday).

“He was the right type for us,” Powell said. “There are really good horsemen here and we all have different types, but I looked at him at the barn and I liked his size and his attitude and his presence. The vet work was clean, so I talked to those guys on the phone. They are looking to have some fun with him.”

Gulfport romped by 12 1/4 lengths in the Bashford Manor S. in his second start last July at Churchill Downs. He was second in the GII Saratoga Special and GI Hopeful S. before finishing third in the GI Champagne S. in October. The newly turned 3-year-old had his first work since September when he went four furlongs in :52.20 at Fair Grounds Monday.

The yearling was bred by Newstead Corp. Eaton Sales signed for Victory Party, in foal to Justify, for $220,000 at the 2020 Keeneland November sale. Her Justify colt sold for $390,000 at the 2022 Keeneland September sale after RNA'ing for $190,000 at the 2021 November sale.

“He was a very tidy version of Uncle Mo and completely clean on the vet report,” Eaton's Reiley McDonald said of the yearling. “So we weren't surprised at all at that price. I think they got a good buy. We thought he was really nice right now, so we put him in the January sale where he could stand out.”

The 17-year-old Victory Party is also the dam of graded-placed Victory Kingdom (Aus) (Animal Kingdom) and stakes-placed Classic Moment (Classic Empire). She was bred to Munnings last year.

Gun Runner Filly to First Finds

Tami Bobo and Fernando De Jesus's First Finds led early returns during Tuesday's second session of the Keeneland January sale when going to $300,000 to acquire a short yearling by Gun Runner (hip 430). The bay filly, consigned by Indian Creek and bred by Ridley Farm, is out of Forest Valentine (Forestry) and is a half-sister to stakes-placed Valentine Wish (Lemon Drop Kid). Forest Valentine is a full-sister to multiple graded stakes winner Carolyn's Cat.

“She is forward, pretty and correct,” Bobo said. “I just thought she was a very elegant filly and had a lot of upside. I felt like she possibly could be a good pinhook and if she pinhooks, then great. If she doesn't, we'll be glad to race her.”

First Finds returned later in the session to secure another short yearling filly by Gun Runner, going to $175,000 to acquire hip 487 from the Hermitage Farm consignment$650k A

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