Brisk trade spurred significant growth in
results during Sunday's sixth session of Keeneland's September Yearling Sale,
marking the close of Book 2.
The session was headlined by the sale of an Uncle Mo colt who is a half-brother
to 2016 Belmont (G1) winner Creator for $875,000 to the partnership of Ron
Winchell's Winchell Thoroughbreds and Amer Abdulaziz's Phoenix
Thoroughbreds.
On Sunday, Keeneland sold 264 yearlings for $36,054,000, up 34.15 percent over
the sixth session in 2017 when 245 horses brought $26,875,500. The average
increased 24.50 percent from $109,696 to $136,568. The median of $117,500 rose
46.88 percent from last year's $80,000.
Cumulatively, 1,144 yearlings have been sold for $303,926,700, a 19.23 percent
increase over $254,913,000 given for 1,179 horses during the corresponding
period in 2017. Average price of $265,670 is 22.88 percent higher than $216,211
last year, while the median rose 33.33 percent from $150,000 to $200,000.
"The trade was very vibrant today, the buy-back rate was down again over last
year and all other indicators were very positive," Keeneland Director of Sales
Operations Geoffrey Russell said. "Comments from people were that the barns
were very busy this morning, so we hope the sale continues to be vibrant.
"We will probably see a little transition tomorrow in buyers," he said. "For
the buyers during Week 1 to last this long into the weekend shows the quality
of the horses has continued from Book 1 into Book 2. People were very busy
today buying horses, so that is very positive."
Consigned by Greg Goodman's Mt. Brilliant Farm, the session-topping Uncle Mo
colt is out of Peruvian champion Morena (PER), by Privately Held.
"I don't want to say better (than Creator), but this was a really nice foal,
really nice Uncle Mo," Goodman said. "This horse just does it all; there's just
nothing wrong with this horse. And he looks fast; he has a huge heart and there
weren't any knocks on him.
"We thought we were going to put him in Book 2 (before the reformatting of Book
1 was announced). He would have been a Book 1 horse, but I think he stands out
here. He's a great-looking horse."
"From our perspective, (he was) just an all-around
very nice horse," Winchell said, adding the colt would be trained by Creator's
conditioner, Steve Asmussen. "This sale has been very strong. I have been very
good at getting outbid."
A colt from the first crop of 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah who is
a half-brother to two-time Breeders' Cup winner Secret Circle sold for $800,000
to Zayat Stables, which bred and raced American Pharoah. Consigned by
Warrendale Sales, agent for Stonestreet Bred & Raised, the colt is out of
the stakes-winning Dixieland Band mare Ragtime Hope. He is the first offspring
of American Pharoah acquired by Zayat Stables at the September Sale.
"His pedigree is a stallion's pedigree, and he kind of
reminded me of American Pharoah," said Justin Zayat, President and CEO of
Racing and Bloodstock for Zayat Stables. "He's kind of plain-looking, old brown
wrapper horse, and he had the class. We're going to be sending him to (American
Pharoah's trainer) Bob Baffert in the future and hopefully he can be a Grade 1
winner for his dad and his first crop. We're very excited about him and excited
to take him home."
Zayat said he has been thrilled with the reception of American Pharoah's
progeny at the September Sale. To date, 44 horses by the stallion have sold for
$19,205,000. They include a colt for $2.2 million, a colt for $1.4 million and
a filly for $1.2 million.
"They're all very cool, level-headed horses, and they're selling like hot
potatoes – it's absolutely insane," Zayat said. "It even exceeded my
expectations. I knew it was going to be exciting but to see the averages where
they are and all the million- and multimillion-dollar horses, it's really
unbelievable. So we're enthusiastic, we're excited."
Mt. Brilliant Farm also consigned a colt by Empire Maker who sold for $540,000
to Baoma Corporation. Out of the winning Lemon Drop Kid mare Apologize, a full
sister to multiple Grade 3 winner Aurelia's Belle, the colt is from the family
of champion Althea and Grade 1 winners Ketoh and Aldiza.
On behalf of Zedan Racing Stables, Baffert paid $500,000 for a colt by Tiznow
consigned by Four Star Sales, agent. The colt, out of the Elusive Quality mare
Im So Fine, is a half-brother to Grade 3-placed My Johnny Be Good.
"That was a great sale," Four Stars Managing Partner
Kerry Cauthen said. "He is a Tiznow who looks fast and has tons of leg but not
the kind of big horse you think will just plod along. He looks like he can
cover the ground, cover it fast and keep on going. Obviously, the (bidders)
thought the same thing. Bill Casner (husband of breeder Susan Casner) raised
this horse in Texas. It is a great win for a great client.
"We put our horses (in the session) where we think they have value," Cauthen
added. "We do that months in advance (of the sale). He is not a horse we
strategically put here. These horses change and mature (as the sale approaches)
and this one certainly matured the right way."
The leading consignor Sunday was Taylor Made Sales Agency, which sold 31 horses
for $3,671,000.
Ben Glass, agent, was the session's leading buyer with five purchases for
$1,310,000.