Images courtesy of Keeneland
Part of the Elevage dispersal draft of John Sikura of Hill ‘n’ Dale and Glen Hill Farm’s Craig Bernick, she was offered in foal to the Triple Crown winner Justify (USA) and was the dual Group 1 winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies and the Starlet S.
Take Charge Brandi, whose weanling colt by Tapit (USA) was the next lot through and sold to Hill ‘n' Dale for US$600,000 (AU$872,000), is a half-sister to the two-time Group 1 winner Omaha Beach (USA) (War Front {USA}).
She is from an outstanding family and the second dam Take Charge Lady (USA) (Dehere {USA}) won three Group 1 races and left Will Take Charge (USA) (Unbridled’s Song {USA}) and Take Charge Indy (USA) (A.P. Indy {USA}), both also successful at the highest level.
“It’s an impeccable female family. You get almost no opportunity to get into this family,” Sikura said. “I have a long-term view - the commercial aspect is part of what I do, but I have to cultivate it and develop female families and create things of significance. "
“It’s an impeccable female family. You get almost no opportunity to get into this family.” - John Sikura
“When I get that opportunity, I’m less concerned about what they bring and more concerned about having access and being able to buy a mare that we hope can be important and create change long term.”
The G1 Alabama S. winner Eskimo Kisses (USA) (To Honour And Serve {USA}), carrying her first foal by Curlin (USA), sold for US$2.3 million (AU$3.3 million) was sold by Gainesway as agent to Shadai Farm.
She is a grand-daughter of the former champion filly and multiple Group 1 winner Winning Colors (USA) (Caro {Ire}).
Take Charge Brandi (USA) when sold at the Keeneland November Sale
“That is what the market says she is worth,” said Michael Hernon, Director of Sales for Gainesway and co-owner of Eskimo Kisses. “I am a little bit sad that she sold, but it was a partnership dispersal. She is a wonderful young mare. Maybe we will take a trip to Japan to see her.”
“She is a wonderful young mare. Maybe we will take a trip to Japan to see her.” – Michael Hernon
Katsumi Yoshida also went to US$2 million (AU$2.9 million) for the Elevage offered Callback (USA) (Street Sense {USA}), who is in foal to Medaglia d’Oro (USA).
Winner of the G1 Las Virgenes S., Callback is from the family of the G1 Kentucky Derby winner and sire Super Saver (USA) and the Group winning siblings Girolamo (A.P. Indy {USA}) and Daydreaming.
Lil Indy (USA) dam of multiple Group 1 winner Maximum Security (USA)
Jane Lyons’ Summer Wind Farm paid US$1.85 million (AU$2.7 million) for Lil Indy (USA) (Anasheed {USA}), dam of multiple Group 1 winner Maximum Security (USA) (New Year’s Day {USA}). She was sold by Lane’s End and is in foal to Quality Road (USA).
“I made the deal of the century,” Lyon said about her purchase. “She’s a lovely mare. She obviously produced a superb 3-year-old, and hopefully she can do it some more. Every one of my advisers was very excited about this mare and they put her at the top of my list.”
“Every one of my advisers was very excited about this mare and they put her at the top of my list.” – Jane Lyon
Mei Ling (USA), an 8-year-old daughter of Empire Maker (USA) in foal to Medaglia d’Oro (USA), sold for US$1.5 million (AU$2.1 million) to Claiborne Farm.
Another offered by Elevage, she is a two-time Listed winner with the pedigree featuring the Group 1 winner and sire Al Mamoon (USA) (Believe It {USA}).
Gloryzapper (USA) (Ghostzapper {USA}) also sold for an identical price when she was secured by Summer Wind Equine from Taylor Made’s draft. In foal to Tapit (USA), she won the G3 LA Woman S. and is a half-sister to the stakes performer Banree (USA) (Macho Uno {USA}).
Barbara Banke’s Stonestreet Stables paid US$1.3 million (AU$1.9 million) for the stakes winner Talk Veuve To Me (USA) (Violence {USA}), who was sold by WinStar Racing as agent.
The 4-year-old was offered as a racing or broodmare prospect and is the winner of the G3 Indiana Oaks and was runner-up in the G1 Belmont Acorn S.
Average increase
There were 163 horses sold for US$70,449,500 (AU$102,566,786) at an average price was US$432,206 (AU$629,353) versus US$459,578 (AU$669,211) last year. The median price was US$300,000 (AU$436,809) compared to US$350,000 (AU$509,611) in 2018.
The leading vendor by aggregate was Taylor Made with 39 lots sold for US$14,450,000 (AU$21,039,670) at an average of US$370,513 (AU$539,528) with Hill ‘n’ Dale at Xalpa topping the buying list with US$4.8 million (AU$6.9 million) spent on four lots.
Australian action
Sydney bloodstock agent Andy Williams went to US$435,000 (AU$631,848) to secure Chocolate Martini (USA) (Broken Vow {USA}), who was consigned by Pope McLean.
She has won four of her 14 starts, including the G2 Fair Grounds Oaks and finished third in both the G1 American Oaks and in the Santa Anita Summertime Oaks.
Chocolate Martini is a half-sister to the Listed Juvenile S. winner Nicky’s Brown Miss (USA) (Big Brown {USA}) and the family of the G1 Breeders’ Cup Mile and G1 Eddie Read H. winner Ladies Din (USA) (Din’s Dancer {USA}).
SF Bloodstock, on behalf of Newgate, purchased Euroboss (USA) (Street Boss {USA}) for US$350,000 (AU$508,000) from Mulholland Springs’ draft.
In foal to Into Mischief (USA), she won twice and was Group 3 placed and is from the family of the champion stallions Encosta de Lago, Flying Spur and Holy Roman Emperor (Ire).
