Blockbuster Book 1 concludes at Keeneland with another 13 million-dollar yearlings

Cover image courtesy of Keeneland

Euphoric Book 1 session concludes

Nine yearlings sold for seven figures or more Monday and a further 13 horses topped that mark during Tuesday's session, led by a US$1.8-million (AU$2.67 million) son of Constitution (USA).

“Coming out of day one, I think that momentum was almost euphoric,” said Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy. “Coming into Day 2, we were sort of thinking, 'Can we maintain this?' And putting it in racing terms, we hit the wire hard. We finished that last couple of hours with that euphoric feeling all the way through the session. When you are ending up with a US$533,000 (AU$792,200) average for session two, US$516,000 (AU$766,900) average for Book 1, it was really encouraging.”

During the two Book 1 sessions, 220 yearlings sold for US$113,660,000 (AU$168,982,000). The average of US$516,636 (AU$768,100) was up 18.58 per cent from the 2021 Book 1 average and the median was up 28.57 per cent to US$450,000 (AU$669,000). With 62 yearlings reported not sold, the buy-back rate was 21.99 per cent. It was 34.18 per cent a year ago.

Keeneland President Shannon Arvin credited the sellers who had provided top offerings to the book's success.

“We appreciate so much the sellers, and breeders, and consignors that worked with us on the format and really believed in us as we tried to put together the best possible Book 1 we could, and to the buyers for coming out,” Arvin said.

The Keeneland September Sale continues with Book 2 sessions on Wednesday and Thursday beginning at 11am (local). Following a dark day on Friday, the auction continues up to September 24, with sessions beginning daily at 10am (local).

Iron Constituton at Keeneland

Sitting chilly well until into the second session of the Keeneland September Sale, Jim and Dana Bernhard's Lynnhaven Racing turned on all boosters to land Hip 311, a colt by Constitution (USA), for US$1.8 million (AU$2.67 million). Soon after the colt entered the ring, it was quickly apparent that it would be a dogfight as several bidders, among them Mike Repole, responded to every volley launched by the Bernhard camp. When the dust had settled, it was Dana Bernhard who signed the ticket on the Valentine's Day foal.

Representing the Bernhards, advisor Equine Analysis' Matt Weinmann added, “The market sets the price. I knew we'd have to stretch for him, but I didn't know we'd have to go that high but I'm happy to have him. At Equine Analysis, we get the best information we can get, and we take a shot.”

Consigned by Taylor Made Sales on behalf of the colt's breeder China Horse Club, the February 14 foal is out of Grade 1 winner Last Full Measure (USA) (Empire Maker {USA}) and is a half-brother to G1 Juddmonte Spinster S. winner Valiance (USA) (Tapit {USA}). China Horse Club purchased Last Full Measure for US$1.5 million (AU$2.23 million) at the 2014 Keeneland November Sale.

“He just jumps out at you,” said China Horse Club's Michael Smith. “Whenever you sell a horse for a million dollars, it's rare. We hoped he could, and the chips fell the right way today.”

Enjoying strong trade at Keeneland so far, Taylor Made's Mark Taylor recalled, “We saw this colt at WinStar Farm a few times prior and as soon as we saw him, we said that was one of the best Constitutions we've seen. He was one of the better colts we had seen in this crop. He's beautifully bred and out of a Grade 1 winner and she's also the dam of a Grade 1 winner.”

He continued, “He was a great representative of the stallion and he brought a bunch of money which he deserved to,” continued Taylor. “The blood is there. And this just looks like a Derby horse. A lot of presence. Big, strong and a lot of substance. We were fortunate to have him. China Horse Club just bred a beautiful horse.”

China Horse Club's breeding program continues to succeed

The China Horse Club's breeding program has been growing in both size and success as it reaches its fifth year. The organisation, led by Teo Ah Khing, was represented by a seven-figure yearling for the third-straight year at Keeneland September when a Constitution colt out of Graded stakes winner Cozze Up Lady (USA) (Cozzene {USA}) (Hip 192) summoned US$1.3 million (AU$1.93 million) from Richard Knight Bloodstock just minutes into Tuesday's session. Later in the session, the operation sold another son of Constitution for US$1.8 million (AU$2.68 million) (Hip 311).

“The team is extremely happy,” Teo said. “The horse presented well and was respected. We are a partner in Constitution. It shows that a rising pedigree combined with a strong stallion like Constitution is working. His half-sister's (Kimari) CV helped as well.”

“This is our fifth year breeding in America, which is relatively short compared with many others,” Teo said. “We want to continue to upgrade our mares. We will come back in November and look at our expansion plan in America. We have stallions to support like Life Is Good, Tiz The Law, Constitution, Improbable, Yoshida, Justify and others. We always bring everything to market. That has been the plan from day one and it works. We will continue to participate on certain horses as well.”

Hip 192 was the first seven-figure sale for Jill Gordon and Jacob West's Highgate Sales, which debuted earlier this year at the Fasig-Tipton February Sale, where they sold the topper.

“From day one, this horse had been one of the top physicals and had the pedigree to match,” said West after congratulating Knight. “We knew he was pretty damn popular. He was bred by China Horse Club and raised at WinStar and they did an incredible job getting him ready…That was Jill Gordon's first million-dollar horse, and a lot of credit has to go to her in putting this consignment together.”

China Horse Club purchased Hip 192's dam Cozze Up Lady for US$300,000 (AU$445,600) at the 2014 Fasig-Tipton November Sale. She is also the dam of Grade 1 winner Kimari (USA) (Munnings {USA}), who was purchased by Coolmore's M.V. Magnier for US$2.7 million (AU$4.01 million) at last year's Fasig-Tipton November Sale and returned to training. She most recently captured Saratoga's G2 Honorable Miss H. in July.

“He was absolutely my pick coming in here,” said Knight, who indicated the colt would remain in the US. “I loved him from the moment I saw him. I thought he was everything we came here to look for. We came to look for a really smart horse who will hopefully be a two-turn horse. He has pedigree and is by a great stallion. Gorgeous-looking horse. Every single time he came out, he did it for me. Delighted to get him.”

Magnier strikes for Justify colt

Coolmore's M.V. Magnier made his first seven-figure bid of the Keeneland September Sale when going to US$1.1 million (AU$1.63 million) to acquire a colt by Triple Crown winner Justify (USA) (Hip 339). Out of stakes winner and multiple Graded stakes-placed Milam (USA) (Street Sense {USA}), the colt was consigned by Denali Stud on behalf of breeder WinStar Farm. Milam is a half-sister to Champion Rushing Fall (USA) (More Than Ready {USA}).

“(Trainer) Aidan (O'Brien) came over and Paul Shanahan and Dermot (Ryan), everybody really liked this horse,” Magnier said. “He comes from a really good family. And the way Justify is going, a lot of people are saying what he is doing at the moment is actually incredible. To be going as well as he is as early as he is, everybody seems to be pretty surprised by it. We're very excited about him.

“The market here is incredible,” Magnier continued. “But this is a very well-bred horse and WinStar are very good breeders. Conrad (Bandoroff) said the horse was very popular. If you breed a horse like that, I suppose you deserve to get paid for him.”

Justify, who stands at Coolmore, has already been represented by three Graded winners from his first crop to hit the track this year. Of the operation's runners by Justify, Magnier said, “All the ones we have are very sound, tough horses. They have plenty of speed and they look like they will stay as well. He never ran at two and he's had three Group winners already. He's flying. He couldn't be doing any better than he is.”

Magnier also purchased Hip 339's half-brother by Quality Road (USA) for US$950,000 (AU$1.41 million) at last year's Keeneland September Sale.

WinStar purchased Milam for US$175,000 (AU$259,700) at the 2016 Keeneland November Sale.

“(WinStar) gave us some very nice horses to sell,” Denali's Conrad Bandoroff said. “They breed a very good horse. This was a very popular horse. Justify is off to a gangbuster start. He's going to have every chance in going to a top program. He's got class. He carried himself back here like a real professional. He never took a wrong step. Very intelligent with a lot of class.”

Knight strikes again for Justify filly

Coming out of the gate running during Tuesday's second Keeneland September session, Richard Knight had already garnered a bevy of yearlings early in the afternoon, including Hip 255, a daughter of freshman sire Justify who realised a US$1.05 million (AU$1.56 million) final bid. Buying on behalf of an undisclosed interest, Knight indicated the March 22 foal, who was consigned by Bryan and Gray Lyster's Ashview Farm, will remain in the US and sent to Graham Motion.

“She is a queen of a filly and we are delighted to get her,” said Knight.

Knight also signed the ticket on Hip 192, a US$1.3 million (AU$1.93 million) Constitution colt, Hip 198, an Omaha Beach (USA) colt that brought US$400,000 (AU$594,200) and Hip 200, a US$300,000 (AU$445,600) colt by Twirling Candy (USA). Later in the day, he secured Hip 297, a filly by Gun Runner (USA), for US$1.1 million (AU$1.63 million).

Reflecting on the activity at Keeneland thus far, he said, “The sale has been very strong. If you want to buy the good ones, I'm afraid you will have to step up and pay for them.”

Out of Graded stakes-placed Fully Living (USA) (Unbridled’s Song {USA}), the bay is a half to Graded-placed horses Untreated (USA) (Nyquist {USA}) and Ballet Dancing (USA) (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}). Fully Living is a daughter of Half A.P. (USA) (Pulpit {USA}), making her a half-sister to Champion Juvenile Filly Halfbridled (USA) (Unbridled {USA}).

“She is perfect,” said an emotional Gray Lyster. “Everyone came around to look at her and she just walked out and looked around like she was the queen the whole time.”

Gun Runner filly completes Knight's day

Bloodstock agent Richard Knight completed a productive day in the office with the US$1.1-million (AU$1.63-million) purchase of a filly by Gun Runner (Hip 297). It was the agent's fifth purchase of the session and third seven-figure acquisition as he continued his buying spree for an undisclosed client.

“She is by Gun Runner, who is a stallion we very much earmarked coming over here,” Knight said of the yearling's appeal. “The filly is a sister to a good horse, the dam was a good horse herself. And this horse was a lovely physical.”

The yearling is out of Graded stakes winner Just Wicked (USA) (Tapit {USA}) and her sister Wicked Halo (USA) won the G2 Prioress S. at Saratoga this summer.

“She's going to stay over here and she will go to (trainer) Graham Motion,” Knight said.

Knight, who made five purchases at the Arqana August sale last month on behalf of the same client, said he was bidding within the game plan despite a competitive market at Keeneland.

“We only followed one in yesterday and we underbid it,” Knight said. “We value them and if they go over our evaluation, then we let them go. We try to be competitive on the ones we want. We've had a successful day today, but that's us finished.”

Knight's Arqana acquisitions were led by a filly by Wootton Bassett (GB) (Lot 202) purchased for €750,000 (AU$1.11 million).

Into Mischief filly draws US$1.35m for Upson Downs

Unlike some of the other consignors offering their vast wares in Book 1, Upson Downs Farm made it to the ring with a single yearling, Hip 359, a filly by Into Mischief (USA). However, what the consignment lacked in raw numbers, it more than made up for in fire power with the daughter of multiple stakes placegetter Nina Fever (USA) (Borrego {USA}) reeling in a US$1.35 million (AU$2.01 million) final bid from Don Adam's Courtland Farm LLC.

“She's been class from the time she was born,” said Upson Downs Farm's Alex Rankin. “We're over the moon. This is the first seven-figure yearling for Upson Downs in 35 years of consigning. I'm still trying to process it.”

He added, “Mr Adams is a great owner and he will give her a great shot. So, it couldn't be a better situation.”

Stemming from humble beginnings, Nina Fever was claimed by Michael Hui for US$40,000 (AU$59,500) at Keeneland in 2011. Injured shortly thereafter and retired, the filly was sent to Upson Downs to pursue her second career as a broodmare. The now 14-year-old mare, who is already responsible for G1 Frizette S. winner Nickname (USA) (Scat Daddy {USA}), was sold in foal to Constitution for US$500,000 (AU$742,300) at Fasig-Tipton November Sale last season after foaling this filly.

“I just feel so honored to be able to sell her,” said Rankin. “It's for a good client, Michael Hui, who claimed the dam–Nina Fever. We've raised these horses for him and it's been a wonderful relationship. I'm so glad he got the money because he deserves it and the filly deserves it.”

Repole full tilt at Keeneland September

Buying no less than 13 yearlings in partnership during Monday's session, Mike Repole wasn't quite done on Day 2 as he returned to partner on an additional 11 purchases on Tuesday, headed by a pair of US$1.1-million (AU$1.63-million) colts. In quick succession, Repole, accompanied by agent Jacob West and trainer Todd Pletcher, purchased Hip 364, a colt by City Of Light (USA) in tandem with Vinnie Viola's St. Elias Stables and West Point Thoroughbreds. Not long afterward, he joined forces with Coolmore to secure a son of Curlin (USA), offered as Hip 369.

The former, who is out of unraced Numero d'Oro (USA) (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}), was consigned by Rosilyn Polan's Sunday Morning Farm. Polan sold last year's topper, also by City Of Light, in addition to the colt's half-bother Wit (USA) (Practical Joke {USA}). A dual Grade 3 winner and third in the G1 Champagne S., the colt is campaigned by Repole and trained by Pletcher.

“Watching him go around there, that was my Grade 1 win. I was so proud of him,” said Polan. “They've done so well with Wit and to send the horse to Todd Pletcher. I love those guys (the buyers).”

Five hips later, Repole was back in action for another US$1.1- million (AU$1.63-million) purchase, this one consigned by Hinkle Farms. The chestnut is out of Graded stakes placegetter Orbolution (USA) (Orb {USA}), who was also developed by Pletcher.

“He's a big, Classic horse and we think he can be a two-turn type,” said Repole. “Coolmore and I do some business together, and we both landed on the same one and we both use Todd Pletcher, so it made sense.”

Repole also secured Hip 336, a colt by Omaha Beach out of Grade 1 stakes-placed Maybellene (USA) (Looking At Lucky {USA}). The February 15 foal represents the family of Elusive Quality (USA). Secured for US$900,000 (AU$1.34 million), the colt was consigned by Clarkland Farm.

“I had planned on stopping at US$600,000 (AU$890,000),” Repole admitted. “I just kept looking at him. He was probably about US$200,000 (AU$296,700) more than I wanted to spend, but honestly, if that colt was a Curlin, an Uncle Mo or an Into Mischief, I think he would have been the sale's topper. He just looked amazing.”

Seeming to still have money to spend after the Curlin colt, Repole teamed up with another Pletcher client, Robert and Lawana Low, for Hip 370, a colt by Into Mischief out of stakes winner Osare (USA) (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}), a half-sister to the late Champion Arrogate (USA). Consigned by Denali Stud, agent for Bridlewood Farm, the February 1 foal brought US$775,000 (AU$1.15 million).

Into Mischief Colt scores for Blum

The stallion-making partnership group of SF Racing/ Starlight/Madaket made its biggest purchase of the Keeneland September Sale so far when paying US$1.05 million (AU$1.56 million) to acquire a colt by Into Mischief (Hip 328). The yearling, who was consigned by Bridie Harrison on behalf of breeder Peter Blum, is out of Graded stakes winner Magical Feeling (USA) (Empire Maker {USA}).

“Bridie Harrison told me he was very special from day one,” said Blum. “She loved him and she told me he was going to bring a lot of money. So I really wasn't worried about the reserve. It's especially rewarding to see this horse go to SF.”

Having bred Magical Feeling’s unraced dam and bred and raced her second dam, Blum admitted it was emotional to sell horses he had such a long association with.

“It's emotional,” he said. “Bridie and I have been together for 40 years. And she has to get all the credit.”

Blum sent four horses through the ring Tuesday. Hip 247, a full brother to G1 Kentucky Derby winner Authentic (USA) (Into Mischief {USA}), sold for US$800,000 (AU$1.19 million) to Hideyuki Mori, while Hip 237, a Street Sense (USA) half-sister to Society (USA) (Gun Runner {USA}) sold for US$725,000 (AU$1.08 million).

“We've sold all of our horses,” Blum said. “I was disappointed earlier. I would have liked to have seen the half-sister to Society sell better, but we take it as it comes. When you've been doing it as long as I have, it is what it is.”

The SF/Starlight/Madaket partnership purchased four yearlings on Tuesday, three were colts by Into Mischief. In addition to Hip 328, the group acquired Hip 241 for US$825,000 (AU$1.23 million) and Hip 335 for US$450,000 (AU$668,200), as well as Hip 330, a son of Curlin, for US$350,000 (AU$519,700).

Through two sessions, the group has purchased seven horses for a total of US$4,560,000 (AU$6.77 million).

Summer Wind still blowing strong

It's been quite a summer for Jane Lyon and her Summer Wind Farm breeding program. It started off with her sensational homebred Flightline (USA) (Tapit {USA}), whom she owns in partnership, winning the G1 Met Mile in June.

In August, the horsewoman sold an Uncle Mo (USA) colt for US$1.5 million (AU$2.23 million) to some of her Flightline partners, staying in for a piece herself, and just 10 days ago Flightline dropped the jaws of the entire racing community when taking the G1 TVG Pacific Classic by nearly 20 lengths.

Lyon's hot streak continued at Keeneland on Tuesday when she sold a Quality Road filly (Hip 302) to Larry Best for US$1.3 million (AU$1.93 million).

“It's a little bittersweet,” said Lyon, who is known for her deep love for her horses. “I hate giving my fillies up. I hope she does a wonderful job for Mr Best, and I hope that he has all the success in the world with her.”

Hip 302 was the first horse Best bid on through the first two days of selling and he was quite pleased to secure her.

“Quality Road speaks for himself,” said Best. “It's a great page. You sense from (Monday) the value of the Quality Road bloodline. This particular filly just was beautiful with a great pedigree…I'm thrilled.”

Lyon acquired Hip 302's stakes-winning dam Key To My Heart (USA) (Galileo {Ire}) for US$1.75 million (AU$2.6 million) at the 2018 Keeneland November Sale in foal to War Front (USA).

“We have been very blessed to have a horse like Flightline come out of our breeding program,” the always humble Lyon said. “We just hope to continue to have healthy mares and foals, who produce and perform.”

Orbolution continues to reward Hinkle family

Stakes winner and Graded stakes placegetter Orbolution (USA) (Orb {USA}) has been the gift that keeps on giving for the Hinkle family. They bred the mare and sold her to StarLadies Racing for US$370,000 (AU$549,300) at Keeneland September back in 2016.

She was sent through the ring at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton July Horses of Racing Age Sale after a successful racing career, where the Hinkles bought her back for US$325,000 (AU$482,500). They bred her to Curlin for her first foal and the resulting colt (Hip 369) summoned US$1.1 million (AU$1.63 million) from the powerhouse partnership of Coolmore's M.V. Magnier and Repole Stable. He will be trained by Todd Pletcher, who conditioned his first and second dams.

“You never expect US$1 million (AU$1.48 million),” said Hinkle Farms' Tom Hinkle. “My daughter Ann Archer does a great job and my partners are my brothers Buck and Henry. We are in it and are glad to be rewarded.”

The breeder and consignor continued, “He was a nice foal. He is a really smart horse. He just does everything the right way. We have never had any problems with him. He is just a really neat horse to be around.”

Whisper Hill and Three Chimneys partner on familiar family

Whisper Hill Farm and Three Chimneys teamed up at last year's Fasig-Tipton November Sale to buy out Three Chimneys' previous partner Hill 'n' Dale on Hip 331's dam Magical World (USA) (Distorted Humor {USA}), who topped the sale at US$5.2 million (AU$7.72 million), and they reunited Tuesday to secure her son by Quality Road for US$1.1 million (AU$1.63 million). The colt was sold by Hill 'n' Dale as part of the continued dissolution of their partnership with Three Chimneys.

“He is an awesome individual,” said Todd Quast, advisor to Mandy Pope's Whisper Hill Farm. “He is such a big, stout horse, but he moves really light. We bought the mare in November, so we have the family, and Three Chimneys wanted to go in.”

Three Chimneys acquired Magical World, a daughter of G1 Breeders' Cup Distaff winner Pleasant Home (USA) (Seeking the Gold {USA}), privately and later partnered with Hill 'n' Dale on the mare.

She was one of several members of the partnership to sell at last year's Fasig-Tipton November Sale, including her three-time Grade 1-winning daughter Guarana (USA) (Ghostzapper {USA}). Hill 'n' Dale's John Sikura bought Three Chimneys out on Guarana for US$4.4 million (AU$6.53 million) that evening.

“Three Chimneys was supportive and a co-owner,” Sikura said. “They were big-time horses with quality pedigrees. That's what the major guys are looking for. He is a two-turn colt out of a proven producer, by a leading sire. No surprise really. After US$1 million (AU$1.48 million) it's just who you have (as bidders). It's been a very good sale and a good end to the partnership. Three Chimneys are great breeders. They did a great job, and everybody was rewarded.”

Another seven-figure horse for BC Stables

The fledgling BC Stables of John Bellinger and Brian Coelho had its second seven-figure purchase of the Keeneland September Sale when trainer D. Wayne Lukas went to US$1 million (AU$1.48 million) to acquire a colt by Into Mischief (Hip 363) from the Taylor Made Sales Agency consignment.

The yearling is out of Not in Jest (USA) (Unbridled’s Song {USA}), a full sister to Grade 1 winner Cross Traffic (USA).

“He is going to be quick,” Lukas said of the colt. “He's very, very typey. The thing I liked about him was that they must have shown him 100 and some times and he never took a wrong step.”

Lukas has signed the ticket on four yearlings on behalf of BC Stables, including a US$1.15-million (AU$1.71-million) son of Quality Road (Hip 176) purchased during Monday's first session of the auction. He also purchased a pair of yearlings for the operation at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale last month.

“It makes it a lot easier to get up at 3am, you bet,” Lukas said of the new acquisitions. “I am excited about their program and where I can take them. They want to play at the top. I don't know when I've had a nicer bunch of 2-year-olds, when you put the Saratoga horses in with these.”

Lukas credited a strong purse structure for the high demand for horses.

“It's very solid, especially in the middle,” he said of the market. “It seems like it is so solid in that US$350,000-US$400,000 range…The purse structure is so strong right now, getting US$70-80,000 for a maiden win, if he runs and stays strong, you'll be able to recoup your money. I think that's what is driving the market.”

But Lukas admitted going up against the many high-profile partnerships could make his job at the sales tougher.

“The thing that is getting difficult is when they start holding hands – then it gets tough,” he said. “They get a lot of people involved and at a high level, but every time I see them holding hands, I think that's not too good,” he said with a laugh.