With the Breeders' Cup wrapping up an action-packed weekend at Santa Anita, all eyes turn to Lexington for the nation's preeminent breeding stock sales. Keeneland's November sale gets underway Wednesday, and as has become the custom, offers an enticing selection of mares and foals over the course of its five-book run.
“For the long-term plan, we are trying to get the quality is there for the buyers we are recruiting, Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “We spend many months throughout the year meeting our potential customers and current clients. When you look at that effort this year, the strong Middle East presence and the Japanese that are coming over her in greater numbers than ever before. We want to make sure that is something we are constantly doing. It is our job to create as good a marketplace as possible for the stock we have on the grounds. I think we're making real traction in that regard.”
Among the headliners in this season's catalog is Puca (Big Brown) (Hip 191), carrying a full-sister to GI Kentucky Derby winner Mage (Good Magic), and Grade I winner Dalika (Ger) (Pastorius {Ger}) (Hip 223), in foal to 2022 Horse of the Year Flightline.
“Keeneland is excited that Case has chosen us to offer these two exceptional broodmares in Book 1 of the November Breeding Stock Sale–and mark the debut of Case Clay Thoroughbred Management,” said Lacy. “While at Three Chimneys Farm, when it was owned by his family, Case oversaw the sale of a large number of million-dollar-plus broodmares over many years, including the great Take Charge Lady here at Keeneland in 2004. Along with this experience at the top end, he has an extraordinary amount of connections and relationships with domestic and international buyers.”
In addition to appearing on Puca's page, Flightline, an undefeated earner of over $4.5 million, is also listed as the covering sire of Grade I winner/graded producer Centre Court (Smart Strike) (Hip 213), and graded winners Another Broad (Include) (Hip 180) and Lady Scarlet (Union Rags) (Hip 338). He was bred to a limited book of 152 mares in his first season at stud, and will be represented by 10 in-foal mares at Keeneland November. Flightline made headlines at Keeneland's November sale last year when a fractional share in the champion brought $4.6 million.
“You have a stallion that gained a lot of focus because of what he did on the track and also finished off his career here at Keeneland. We were fortunate enough to sell that fractional interest here and this year we offer some very high-quality mares in foal to him. That is a great continuation. We're very excited about the mares, it is a select group and it's not over-flooding the market. It is going to gain serious attention, not just from domestic buying base but also from the international breeders as well because he is a fascinating stallion.”
Also making an appearance with their first in-foal mares are a trio of champions Corniche (Quality Road), Jackie's Warrior (Maclean's Music), Epicenter (Not This Time), and GI Preakness and GI Belmont S. winners Early Voting (Gun Runner) and Mo Donegal (Uncle Mo).
Caravel | Sarah Andrew
Among the mares certain to garner plenty of attention during Book 1 is 2022 GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint heroine Caravel (Mizzen Mast) (Hip 210), consigned by Hunter Valley Farm. The 6-year-old, a half-sister to MSW Witty (Great Notion), won three of six starts this term, including the GI Jaipur S. Bolstered by her recent form, Chilean Group 1 winner Le Da Vida (Chi) (Gemologist) (Hip 41) enters this off a third-place effort in last weekend's GI Breeders' Cup Distaff. Sold as a racing or broodmare prospect, the 6-year-old mare is consigned by Greenfield Farms. Also among mares to watch in this year's catalog, GI American Oaks heroine Rhea Moon (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) is offered as Hip 101 from the Gainesway consignment, in addition to Grade I-producing Ack Naughty (Afleet Alex) (Hip 246), who sells in foal to Into Mischief. The dam of the late GI Santa Anita Derby winner Practical Move (Practical Joke) is consigned by Sequel Bloodstock, agent for Chester and Mary Broman.
“We have a lot of nice individuals. Obviously, we have Caravel. She was one we had in the sale last year and she's back this year. We've had a few defections like Zeezee Zoomzoom (dam of Caravel). They just felt they wanted to hang on a little longer, which is fine. What is good in a healthy market and is difficult in November is that sometimes feel like they don't need to sell because they had a good yearling market. We have some really nice stock in here, very high-class mares that people are attracted by.
“Midnight Bisou last year was a nice late addition that really stood out. I think this year, there is a broader range of high-quality stock and Grade I winners and producers.
“We're looking at long term. We're looking to build a solid foundation as we go forward. We're more focused that the whole structure of our sale's process is developing. That we are moving forward year over year.”
A bevy of sires also enter the stage with their first weanlings, highlighted by GISWs Yaupon (Uncle Mo) (46) and GISW Silver State (Hard Spun) (37), in addition to Horse of the Year Knicks Go (Paynter) (27) and champion and Classic scorer Essential Quality (Tapit) (10).
Last year's sale was topped by champion older dirt female Midnight Bisou (Midnight Lute), who brought $5.5 million from Katsumi Yoshida. On Day 1 in 2022, a total of nine head brought seven figures or more, in addition to Flightline's fractional share. The initial session generated $68.53 million in gross revenue (including post sales) for 142 horses sold.
Launching its nine-day run Wednesday, the sale begins with 250 head catalogued on its opening day, with bidding commencing at 1:00p.m. The remaining eight sessions start at 10:00 a.m. The November sale concludes with a single-session Horses of Racing Age Sale Nov. 17.
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