Tag: sf bloodstock

Sunday’s Insights: Pricey Arrogate Colt Debuts at Del Mar

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency

GUN RUNNER FILLIES DEBUT AT CHURCHILL

7th-CD, $120k, Msw, 2yo, 6f, 3:57 p.m.
Freshman sire Gun Runner is represented by a pair of debuting fillies in this six-furlong affair. Richard Baltas saddles PEACE PEDDLER (GUN RUNNER), a $200,000 KEESEP yearling purchase, for Calvin Nguyen. The bay filly is a daughter of Canadian champion Embur's Song (Unbridled's Song). Steve Asmussen sends out Stonestreet homebred Ari Oakley (Gun Runner), a daughter of Belle of Perintown (Dehere) and half-sister to graded winner Strike It Rich (Unbridled's Song) and graded placed Tomlin (Distorted Humor) and Beau Liam (Liam's Map). TJCIS PPs

PRICEY ARROGATE COLT OPENS CAREER AT DEL MAR

4th-DMR, $70k, Msw, 2yo, 6f, 4:31 p.m.
GOT THUNDER (ARROGATE), who sold for $750,000 following a :10 flat work at the OBS April sale, debuts for West Point Thoroughbreds and Mike Talla and trainer John Sadler. The colt is a half-brother to multiple Grade I winner Heart to Heart (English Channel) and to multiple graded placed Lady Traveler (Quality Road). Sadler also saddles firster Moment of Peace (Tapit) for M Racing Group. The $230,000 KEEJAN yearling is a full-brother to graded winner Subconscious. Bob Baffert sends out the debuting Newgrange (Violence), a $125,000 KEESEP yearling, for the SF/Starlight/Madaket partnership. TJCIS PPs

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Something For Everyone As Keeneland November Wraps

The seasonal foliage was about the only thing falling at the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale, which concluded a wildly successful run in Lexington Friday afternoon. Over the course of 10 days of trade, sales officials reported gross receipts of $203,585,500 for 2470 horses sold, good for an average of $82,423. Further demonstrating the strength of middle market, the median price of $37,000 established a new November record, eclipsing the previous mark of $35,000 set on five previous occasions, but most recently in 2014. The buyback rate closed at a very manageable 17.4%.

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.

 

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.”

 

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

 

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Strong Results Continue at Keeneland November

By Jessica Martini & Christie DeBernardis

LEXINGTON, KY – The Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale continued with strong demand during a lively session of bidding Thursday in Lexington. The auction's first of two Book 2 sessions concluded with both average and median up and the buy-back rate down from the corresponding session in 2020.

“Incredible,” Keeneland's Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said of Thursday's action. “It was a really vibrant market again today. I think people were a little frustrated in buying, but we had a lot of happy sellers. I think it is a really encouraging market as we move forward.”

During Thursday's first Book 2 session, 344 head sold for $88,500,000. The session average was $167,549–up 19.2% from the corresponding 2020 figure–while the median of $130,000 was up 30%. The buy-back rate was 24.56%, down from 29.04% a year ago.

“The RNA rate was really healthy,” Lacy said. “The median and average were well up. We are extremely happy and it bodes well for the rest of the sale as we move into the middle market.”

A weanling colt by Justify (Hip 305) brought the top price of Thursday's session when selling to Coolmore's M.V. Magnier for $625,000. Streak of Luck (Old Fashioned) was the day's top-priced mare, selling for $620,000 to Aaron and Marie Jones, LLC.

There were five offerings to sell for $500,000 or over during the session, matching the figure from the auction's first Book 2 section a year ago.

“Foals were incredibly strong,” Lacy said. “There were a lot of frustrated pinhookers out there trying to buy. There were a lot of end users participating in the market today for foals. Young mares bred on an early cover to a popular sire were extremely popular.”

The competitive November results can be traced back to the strong yearling market, according to Hunter Simms of Warrendale Sales.

“It's strong, selling and buying,” Simms said of the November market. “You lead one up here and think you know what it is going to bring, but you are paying a premium no matter what. It happened across town, it's happening here. I think September led into it a little bit. Breeders need to spend that money before the end of the year for tax purposes.”

The September sale also gave breeders the confidence to reinvest in mares, Keeneland's Director of Sales Operations Cormac Breathnach said.

“The September market was so strong that it really validated commercial breeders and gave them, in a lot of cases, the ability to reinvest,” Breathnach said. “You know sometimes there were large amounts of money spent on yearlings out of older mares or mares that had not been the A-list type. We saw the strength of the yearling market all the way through the last day. Even Book 4 mares were profitable in some cases this year. [Breeders] can buy with a bit more confidence.”

Tom Ryan of SF Bloodstock was seeing strength at all levels of the November market.

“It is wonderful to see,” Ryan said. “There is vibrance from top to bottom. There is no soft spot in this market. It is tremendous. It started out incredibly strong at Fasig-Tipton and it has continued into Keeneland.”

The Keeneland November sale continues through Nov. 19 with sessions beginning daily at 10 a.m.

Coolmore Strikes For Regally Bred Justify Colt

When Hip 305 stepped into the ring, it was like looking at a miniature version of his sire, undefeated Triple Crown hero Justify. Those good looks combined with his equally stunning pedigree inspired a fast and furious round of bidding and when the hammer fell, it was no surprise to find Coolmore's M.V. Magnier left holding the $625,000 ticket. Consigned by Lane's End, the weanling colt was bred by Jane Lyon's Summer Wind Farm.

“He is a really nice horse,” Magnier said. “In fairness to Jane Lyon and everyone at Summer Wind, they are very good breeders. We have had a lot of luck with the family before. I think we have about 11 or 12 Justifys going into Ballydoyle next year. They look like they are a very special group of horses. Everybody seems to be very high on them from Paul Shanahan to Dermot Ryan to Aidan O'Brien. They are just a very exciting bunch of horses to look forward to next year. The pedigrees they have, the physiques they have, just everything about them.”

The flashy chestnut colt was the most expensive horse sold during Thursday's session and the most expensive weanling colt of the sale thus far, following Wednesday's $800,000 Frankel (GB) filly.

“He is by one of the best horses we have seen in America for a very long time and then has Moonshine Memories and everything [on the bottom side],” Magnier said when asked if the final price was what he expected. “A horse bred like that and with the physique he has deserved to make [that money].”

Hip 305, who was given the name Just Before Dawn by his breeder, is from the second crop of Justify, whose progeny has been well received at auctions over the past two years. The Coolmore stallion was represented by a $1.55 million colt at the Keeneland September Sale and has had four weanlings sell thus far at November for $1.33 million.

“Justify was such a good racehorse,” said Magnier. “We have a huge amount of faith in him. He is making super strong horses and they all seem to be good movers. The lads at home are just breaking them in now and they all seem to be easy to deal with, so it is going to be a very exciting year next year.”

Lyon privately purchased the colt's second dam, SW Evil Elaine (Medieval Man) the day before her son Favorite Trick (Phone Trick) won the 1997 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile, clinching an Eclipse Award and Horse of the Year honors in the process. Hip 305's dam Unenchantedevening (Unbridled's Song) was the final foal out of Evil Elaine and joined Lyon's broodmare band after making seven starts, which included a maiden win.

Unenchantedevening's first foal was SW & GSP Indian Evening (Indian Charlie) and a few foals later she produced SP Mo for the Money (Uncle Mo). She followed that colt with her most significant produce to date, 'TDN Rising Star' Moonshine Memories (Malibu Moon). Acquired by Coolmore and Bridlewood Farm for $650,000 at FTSAUG, Moonshine Memories became the first Grade I winner bred by Summer Wind with a victory in the GI Del Mar Debtutante S. and followed that with a win in the GI Chandelier S. The bay summoned $3.4 million from West Bloodstock carrying a foal by Into Mischief at Tuesday's Fasig-Tipton November Sale.

Lyon retained Moonshine Memories' now-3-year-old full-sister More Moonshine, who was tabbed a 'TDN Rising Star' after an impressive debut at Saratoga in July. Their dam is expecting a Tapit foal in 2022.

“Jane has owned that family for quite some time and she is very partial to it,” said Bobby Spalding, manager of Summer Wind Farm. “This colt has been pretty special since day one. In fact, we had him entered in the sale, but we weren't even going to bring him up here. But, a couple days before the sale, we decided to bring him and the horse hadn't even been prepped for the sale. What you saw was all natural. He was a nice horse by the right sire and out of a nice family. It is very special to Jane.”

Summer Wind is known for selling well-bred and often expensive yearlings, such as $1-million FTSAUG buy and now undefeated 'TDN Rising Star' Flightline (Tapit), but it is very unusual for Lyon's operation to offer a weanling at auction.

When asked about this deviation, Spalding said, “That was all Jane's idea. She had said back in early August that she thought he would be a nice weanling to sell. She made a comment that it wasn't something she normally did, but she really liked him and thought he would sell well. I was the one trying to convince her to keep him out of the sale, so all credit goes to Jane.” —@CDeBernardisTDN

Taylor Secures Streak of Luck For Joneses

Streak of Luck (Old Fashioned) (Hip 265) sparked the day's first fireworks, bringing $620,000 from Taylor Made's Frank Taylor, who was acting on behalf of Aaron and Marie Jones. Consigned by James Keogh, the 6-year-old is carrying her first foal by Horse of the Year Authentic.

“She checked all the boxes for us,” Taylor said. “She had a great physical. She looks like Unbridled's Song and we love Unbridled's Song. We raised Old Fashioned on the farm, so that was kind of a plus to me. She was a good racemare and is in foal to a Derby winner, having a January foal. That is what we are looking for.”

As for the price, Taylor said, “I saw one [Wednesday] that was comparable to her and she brought $700,000. That was a bid or two past where we wanted to go, but we wanted to get her.”

Carrie Brogden, Keogh and the mare's breeder Roncelli Family Trust raced Streak of Luck in partnership. She won six of her 30 starts and placed in multiple graded stakes.–@CDeBernardisTDN

Silesia Farm Snags 'Impeccable' Mare

GSP Impeccable Style (Uncle Mo) (Hip 486) proved popular at Keeneland Thursday, bringing $500,000 from Warrendale's Kitty Taylor and Hunter Simms, who were acting on behalf of Silesia Farm.

“They are actually the same group we bought the dam of ['TDN Rising Star”] Messier (Empire Maker) for last year, Checkered Past, and he is running in the [GIII] Bob Hope this weekend,” Simms said after signing the ticket beside Taylor. “They are very loyal clients of ours. We sold a bunch for them in September this year. They had a very good sales season and wanted to reinvest into the market and upgrade their broodmare band.”

A $155,000 purchase at this auction back in 2017, Impeccable Style was third in last year's Bourbonette Oaks and was second in the GIII Indiana Oaks. Pete Bradley picked her up for $275,000 just days later at the Fasig July Sale and she made just two starts for her new connections before being retired and bred to Horse of the Year Authentic.

“She is a beautiful physical and good physicals are selling right now, whether its mares, yearlings, foals,” Simms said. “The Authentic is very attractive to us and her race record. It was the whole package we are looking for.” —@CDeBernardisTDN

Freedman Goes to Kentucky for Stay Inside

Michael Freedman, who along with his brother Richard trains Group 1 winner Stay Inside (Aus) (Extreme Choice {Aus}), made a first visit to the Kentucky November sales this week in search of mares to eventually support the 2021 G1 Longines Golden Slipper hero at stud. After purchasing a pair of mares at Fasig-Tipton Tuesday, Freedman acquired an additional two mares at Keeneland Thursday. He made his biggest purchase when going to $400,000 to acquire Alnaseem (GB) (Shamardal) (hip 338) from the Timber Town consignment. The 5-year-old stakes-winning mare sold as a racing or broodmare prospect and Freedman said the plan will be to race her next year.

“She obviously has a bit of racing upside, that was of interest, and I just thought she looked like a lovely physical type,” Freedman explained. “She was a big, impressive mare. And the idea would be to take her back to Australia early in the new year and put her back into training there back there before eventually making her way to the breeding farm to be mated to Stay Inside, a horse that we won the Golden Slipper with earlier this year, when he goes to stud.”

Also Thursday, Freedman purchased the stakes-winning She's So Special (Hard Spun) (hip 244) for $250,000 from the Bluewater Sales consignment.

“That was the same sort of deal,” Freedman said. “She's just a nice outcross with a bit of speed there, which is what we were wanting to come over to find. Again to race if possible, if not the plan is to breed to Stay Inside as well.”

At Fasig-Tipton Tuesday, Freedman purchased I'llhandlethecash (Point of Entry) (hip 191) for $220,000 and No Mo' Spending (Uncle Mo) (hip 217) for $165,000.

Australia opened its borders a week before the November sales and buyers from the country have been very active in Kentucky this week.

“We got beaten on a few and quite often by other Australian buyers,” Freedman said of the market. “It's certainly been competitive, but I am very happy with the ones we've selected and happy with the ones we were able to buy. We might try to get one or two more before the end of the sale if possible.”

Of his first trip to Keeneland, Freedman added, “It's been a great experience and I would certainly like to come back again at some stage, for the yearlings sale or for this sale next year. It's good to get out and travel again.” @JessMartiniTDN

 

Alnaseem Rewards Vaughan Again

Ed Vaughan closed out his English stable last winter, and on his way to America, the trainer picked up the 4-year-old filly Alnaseem (GB) (Shamardal) (hip 338) for 88,000gns ($123,210). Now five, the chestnut gave Vaughan his first stateside win and stakes win before selling for $400,000 to Australian trainers Richard and Michael Freedman Thursday at Keeneland.

“She went on fast ground and the stallion works here–from the Giant's Causeway line,” Vaughan said of the mare's appeal last December as he prepared to open a U.S. stable. “And I just liked her races more than anything probably. She always traveled great through her races and that was it really.”

Alnaseem opened her U.S. campaign with a fourth-place effort in a Churchill allowance in April before winning a May allowance in Louisville.

“Her work was always very good,” Vaughan said. “She ran at Churchill and she was just away a bit slowly and then she was much better next time. She improved from there on.”

Alnaseem was second in the Indiana General Assembly Distaff S. in June before trying graded company with a sixth-place effort in the GII Dance Smartly S. in August. She concluded her time with Vaughan with a win in the H.B.P.A. S. at Presque Isle Oct. 18.

“There are always emotions–you're with them seven days a week,” Vaughan admitted of Thursday's sale. “She was our first winner over here. And she was our first stakes win, so we owe her a debt of gratitude. She's going to Australia and she'll go to a very good home. I'm delighted with that result.”

Vaughan currently has a dozen horses in training in the U.S., including recently arrived Waliyak (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}), who was fourth in the Oct. 17 GI E.P. Taylor S. He expects to add to that number when he goes shopping again at the Tattersalls December sale next month.

“We will restock at the December sale and there will be some more to come,” he said. “That's how I did it back in Europe. You've got to get them to perform and hopefully tee them up for whatever jurisdiction they'll be best suited to, whether it's Hong Kong, America or Australia.” @JessMartiniTDN

March X Press Proves Even More Popular This Time Around

Stakes winner March X Press (Shanghai Bobby) made her first appearance at Keeneland November in 2018, bringing $275,000 from Jackpot Farm, and summoned $330,000 from SF Bloodstock and Newgate Farm the following year carrying her first foal by Tapit. Sent through the KEENOV ring yet again Thursday in foal to Quality Road, the 6-year-old mare (Hip 540) realized $560,000 from David Ingordo, acting on behalf of Parks Investment Group.

“I was the underbidder on her yearling and I thought her yearling was one of the best yearlings I did not get,” Ingordo said. “I know he is going into training with the SF group. When I saw the mare in foal to Quality Road, I figured that would work for me. We are going to breed her to Honor A.P.”

The SF Bloodstock team liked March X Press's yearling colt by Tapit so much that the SF-led stallion-making group known as the Avengers purchased him for $700,000 at the Fasig-Tipton October Sale.

“He is a beautiful Tapit colt with a lot of class,” SF's Tom Ryan said. “We were so excited about him that he has become part of our SF racing partnership. He is in training with Eddie Woods right now and will go to Bob Baffert.”

As for March X Press, Ryan said, “She was very well set up to trade. She had produced what everyone knew was a stunning Tapit yearling and was in foal to an elite stallion in Quality Road. All the parts were there. She had a good yearlings, was a young stakes mare, she was beautiful and was in foal to the right stallion. The timing was right.” —@CDeBernardisTDN

Impressive Early Results for Authentic

The first mares in foal to Authentic have made an immediate impact in the sales ring this week in Kentucky. Three mares sold in foal to the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner at the Fasig-Tipton November sale Tuesday, with Super Girlie (Closing Argument) (hip 243) leading the way when selling for $725,000. The results continued to roll in Wednesday at Keeneland, with Achalaya (Bellamy Road) (hip 175) fetching a final bid of $725,000; New and Improved (Cairo Prince) (hip 199) selling for $700,000; and Quality Response (Quality Road) (hip 212) selling for $510,000.

Three mares in foal to the Spendthrift stallion led the way through much of Thursday's session of the Keeneland sale, with Streak of Luck (Old Fashioned) (hip 265) bringing $620,000; Jennifer's Dream (Medaglia d'Oro) (hip 499) selling for $525,000 and Impeccable Style (Uncle Mo) (hip 486) attracting a final bid of $500,000.

“He had a wonderful book of mares, so this is certainly what we would have hoped for at the sales,” said Spendthrift's Ned Toffey. “I know when the dust settled after booking all his mares–which happened relatively quickly because of the popularity level–we felt really really good about the quality of his book last year. And obviously the market feels the same way and is clearly looking forward to Authentic's first foals. We couldn't be happier with the results so far.”

Through two sessions of the Keeneland November sale, 13 mares have sold in foal to Authentic at an average of $438,077. The sales results this week should set the stallion up for another strong book of mares in 2022, when he will stand for $70,000.

“The in-foal average is always important,” Toffey said. “Breeders are always looking at that. And if you don't have that average, it may be a little tougher to sell seasons in year two. So this should certainly help breeders feel confident about breeding to him in year two because the market clearly seems to be receptive.” @JessMartiniTDN

 

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Strong Opener To October Sale

LEXINGTON, KY – The start of the opening session of the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October Yearlings Sale was delayed an hour by heavy rain, but the weather seemed to be the only thing that could hold back the auction once the bidding got started Monday at Newtown Paddocks.

“We were very pleased with the opening session of the October sale,” Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning said Monday night. “I don't think there was any surprise that there was a lot of demand. We've seen strength in the yearling sales from the start to, hopefully, when we finish on Thursday. There was a lot of activity at all levels. There was spirited bidding at all levels with lots of competition and a very diverse crowd that was here buying horses with lots of representation from all over the world.”

During the session, 274 yearlings sold for $11,016,900 for an average of $40,208 and a median of $17,000. At the opening session of the 2020 auction, 248 head sold for $8,393,800 for an average of $33,846 and a median of $15,000.

Of the 396 head catalogued for Monday's session, 341 went through the ring with 67 reported not sold for a buy-back rate of just 19.6%. It was 22.2% a year ago.

“I think people feel more confident, in terms of the overall clearance rate and the percentage of horses sold who were catalogued,” Browning said. “I think there are fewer scratches, in part, because people now realize based on where the market is right now, you might still be able to sell a horse reasonably successfully without a lot of pre-sale vet activity because there is so much activity that is taking place in the back walking ring.”

Bloodstock agent Donato Lanni made the day's highest bid when going to $700,000 to acquire a colt by Tapit (hip 22) from the Bedouin Bloodstock consignment early in the session. The price was the co-second highest for a colt in the sale's history.

The Fasig-Tipton October sale continues through Thursday with sessions beginning at 10 a.m. daily.

Early Fireworks for Tapit Colt

Bloodstock agent Donato Lanni, bidding on behalf of the stallion-making partnership of SF Bloodstock/Starlight/Madaket, helped the Fasig-Tipton October sale get off to a rousing start when making a final bid of $700,000 to secure a colt by Tapit (hip 22) from the Bedouin Bloodstock consignment.

“He just checked every box,” Lanni said of the yearling. “He has a fast look about him and he's by Tapit. He looks fast, he looks early and he looks sound. He is the kind of horse who just looks like he fits our program. When they possess everything, they end up bringing quite a bit.”

Lanni signed for 24 yearlings for a total of $10,590,000 on behalf of the partnership at last month's Keeneland September sale.

Of his continued buying spree as the yearling sales season winds down, Lanni said, “Some horses need a little more time to develop and maybe the earlier sales weren't the right place for them. I think this is a good place to sell. The sale has gotten better and better and it has a lot of momentum.”

Hip 22 is the first foal out of stakes winner March X Press (Shanghai Bobby). He was co-bred by SF Bloodstock and Henry Field Bloodstock. The co-breeders purchased March X Press, with the colt in utero, for $330,000 at the 2019 Keeneland November sale.

The bay colt had originally been targeted at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Selected Yearlings Sale in August.

“We were supposed to take him up to Saratoga and about two weeks before the sale he tangled with a fence,” Bedouin Bloodstock's Neal Clarke said. “So that put him out of Saratoga and then this was the next likely option for him. He went down very well here, people loved him and he sold well.”

Of the session-topping price, Clarke said, “You can't hide a good horse. If you have a nice one, they will find it. These people are professionals and they work hard and they will find them.”

Justify Colt to Fort

A colt from the first crop of Triple Crown winner Justify (hip 21) sold for $350,000 to John Fort early in Monday's first session of the October sale. The colt was bred and consigned by Blue Heaven Farm, which bred and campaigned his multiple stakes winning dam Maple Forest (Forestry).

“We haven't been in this business too long, so it's nice to see those third generation-type horses of ours succeed,” said Blue Heaven President and General Manager Adam Corndorf. “Maple Forest is a very special mare for us. She's a homebred stakes winner and won several stakes for us with Todd Pletcher. She has been a wonderful mare for us. She has had some very nice sales yearlings for us and some of them have earned blacktype.”

Hip 21 had originally been targeted at the Keeneland September sale.

“He was in the September sale at Keeneland, but he had a little paddock accident about a week before the sale,” Corndorf said. “We were lucky that we still had a sale to target after that. He just needed a couple of extra weeks and he stood out here.”

Blue Heaven founder Bonnie Baskin purchased Maple Forest's dam Maple Syrple (American Chance) for $320,000 at the 2006 Keeneland November sale. Maple Forest, who RNA'd for $200,000 at the 2009 Keeneland September sale, won three stakes and was second in the 2011 GIII Victory Ride S. She is also the dam of multiple stakes winner and graded placed Heartwood (Tapit) and stakes-placed Luzmimi Princess (Malibu Moon).

“We have a small operation, we have about 15 mares and produce about 12 horses a year,” Corndorf said. “We are hoping to just keep building. We would love to get to a point down the road where we could keep a couple of nice fillies as broodmare prospects, but for right now we are sales-focused and trying to sell everything.”

The Blue Heaven breeding operation enjoyed Grade I success earlier this year when Grace Adler (Curlin) won the GI Del Mar Debutante. The farm is also home to Starship Jubilee (Indy Wind).

“She's in foal to Medaglia d'Oro,” Corndorf said of the 2019 Canadian Horse of the Year who the operation acquired in 2018. “She is living the good life. She has a place with us forever. And we look forward to keeping some fillies out of her in the future.”

Union Rags Colt Destined for Resale

A colt by Union Rags (hip 266) is likely to return to the sales ring next spring after selling for $235,000 to the bid of pinhooker Ciaran Dunne, who signed under the name of the Redwings partnership. The yearling is out of stakes winner Purely Hot (Pure Prize) and is a half-brother to Grade I winner Eight Rings (Empire Maker). He was consigned by Taylor Made.

“He's by a proper stallion and he's a half-brother to a talented horse,” Dunne said of the yearling's appeal. “You've got to take a shot somewhere, so we took a shot there.”

Dunne was among the bidders on the Taylor Made-consigned and Three Chimneys-bred son of Gun Runner (hip 264) who RNA'd for $425,000 two hips earlier.

“The market is very strong,” Dunne said. “That's not surprising based on what happened earlier in the year. There were a lot of orders unfilled, ours included, so we knew people were going to come in here and be aggressive. It seems the ones people want bring way more than you'd anticipate.”

Dunne admitted the partnership groups which were so active at the Keeneland September sale had made his job more difficult.

“I think the different groups that are trying to make stallions seem to be playing more in our territory, in terms of physicals over pedigree, so they are a bigger pain in the ass than they normally are.”

Hip 266 was bred by Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt. Bloodstock agent Hugo Merry purchased Purely Hot, with the colt in utero, for $1.2 million at the 2019 Keeneland November sale.

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