Keeneland Breeding Stock Sale gains continue on Thursday

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 7, 2013) – Robust trade from domestic and international buyers continued Thursday during the third session of the 70^th annual Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale, as gross sales were 26 percent above the total from the corresponding session in 2012. The average and median also recorded double-digit increases over last year, while the buyback rate was a low 20 percent.

“All indicators were in a direction we liked,” said Keeneland Vice President of Sales Walt Robertson, who pointed out that the buyback rate has remained around 20 percent throughout the sale. This indicates a healthy market for buyers and sellers.

On Thursday, the first of two sessions that comprise Book 2 of the sale, 255 horses grossed $28,168,500. The average of $110,465 was 16 percent higher than last year, while the median of $90,000 represents a 20 percent increase. During the third session of the 2012 sale, 234 horses sold for $22,278,500, for an average of $95,207 and a median of $75,000.

“I think the market carried forward from Book 1 very well,” said Keeneland Director of Sales Geoffrey Russell. “We saw strong, competitive bidding on both mares and foals through the day, and we hope this momentum continues.”

Cumulatively, 497 horses have been sold for $114,700,500, up 37 percent from last year’s $83,783,500 for 443 horses. The average of  $230,786 rose 22 percent from $189,128 in 2012. The median of $140,000 increased 40 percent from $100,000.

Twin Creeks Farm paid the day’s highest price of $410,000 for the winning Dixie Union mare Little Bug, the only mare in the session in foal to Tiznow. Bedouin Bloodstock, agent for Edward and Theresa DeNike, consigned Little Bug, who is out of the Go for Gin mare Gin Running. A half-sister to Grade 2 winner Tizfiz and stakes winner Fury Kapcori, both by Tiznow, Little Bug descends from Evil Elaine, dam of Horse of the Year Favorite Trick.

“I thought she was an exceptional mare,” said Randy Gullatt of Twin Creeks. “We just recently retired (Grade 1 winner) Graydar to stud, and I thought this was an absolute star mare for this type of horse. I love the fact that Tiznow works terrific in the family.”

Forging Oaks Farm paid $375,000 for My Friend C. Z., an 11-year-old Seeking the Gold mare in foal to Malibu Moon. Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent, consigned the mare, who is out of Grade 1 winner Glitter Woman, by Glitterman, and is a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Political Force. My Friend C. Z. is the dam of Grade 3-placed Welcome Guest, by Unbridled’s Song.

At $350,000, the highest-priced weanling was a colt by recently deceased sire Harlan’s Holiday purchased by Chris Baccari of Baccari Bloodstock. VanMeter Sales, agent, sold the colt out of the winning Tiznow mare Indivia, a half-sister to Grade 2 winner Payton d’Oro.

“He’s just a very unique package with that sire,” Baccari said. “I really liked (his dam) being a Tiznow mare. I thought that’d give him the ability to go two turns. I just thought he had a two-turn look. In my opinion, he’s the best one I’ve ever seen by that sire, so that’s why (we wanted him).”

Arch Bloodstock LLC, agent for Hargus and Sandra Sexton, purchased the session’s fourth-highest-priced horse, the broodmare Ingenue, for $330,000. Consigned by Hunter Valley Farm, the 4-year-old daughter of Mr. Greeley out of Grade 1 winner Meadow Breeze, by Meadowlake, was sold in foal to Union Rags for her first foal.

“We liked her as an individual; she was a very, very pretty mare,” said Arch’s Tom Bozarth. “We love Meadowlake. It’s just a nice family, and she’s in foal to a nice young horse. We’re glad to have her.”

The session’s leading consignor was Taylor Made Sales Agency, which sold 34 horses for $5.62 million.

The session’s leading buyer was Chile’s Don Alberto Corp, which purchased six horses for $1.31 million. Don Alberto Corp. remains the leading buyer through the first three days of the sale, with 22 horses purchased for $8,435,000.

The 10-day November Sale continues through Thursday, Nov. 14. Sessions begin daily at 10 a.m. ET. The entire sale is streamed live at Keeneland.com.