Cover image courtesy of Keeneland
A stallion share (2% interest) in leading young sire Not This Time brought US$3 million (AU$4.55 million) from John Sikura's Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa to top the Keeneland Championship Sale held in the Del Mar paddock Wednesday evening. The sale sees the stallion valued at US$150 million (AU$228 million).
Unique opportunity surrounds Not This Time
The share was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent for Aaron and Marie Jones, as Hip 3. In a unique feature of the offering, the buyer receives all income from Not This Time's 2025 breeding season.
Not This Time is already the sire of nine Grade 1 winners, including Champion 3YO Colt Epicenter. Not This Time will be very well-represented by nine starters at this weekend's Breeders' Cup. He will command a US$250,000 (AU$379,000) stud fee (S&N) at Taylor Made in 2026.
“He's a young sire, we have mares that will really suit him and we are investing in a prolific horse,” Sikura said. “The draw of (income from the 2025 breeding season) from this year was a major factor, too. There is nothing for sure in this business and you have to have a lot of luck if you're going to do this. It's not like he has to get any better, he just has to maintain what he has accomplished so far, and we think he's capable of doing that.
“Keeneland has done a great job with the hospitality and the setup–it's got a great feel,” Sikura added. “I think it's a sale that will build upon its success every year and could be the boutique sale of the year.”
“I think it's a sale that will build upon its success every year and could be the boutique sale of the year.” - John Sikura
Thorpedo Anna share makes $1 million
A 20% interest in 2024 Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna–Sataves, by Uncle Mo), now retired to Hill 'n' Dale Farms at Xalapa, was also acquired by Sikura's operation for US$1 million (AU$1.52 million). The interest was consigned by McPeek Racing Stables, agent for Richard M Edwards, as Hip 6.
Last year's GI Breeders' Cup Distaff and GI Kentucky Oaks heroine, an absolute steal by Ken McPeek for US$40,000 (AU$60, 700) as a Fasig-Tipton October yearling, was campaigned in partnership by Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings, Inc., McPeek's Magdalena Racing, Mark Edwards and breeder Judy B. Hicks.
“I bought 50% interest in her already, so being a majority owner in a mare like this one is special,” Sikura said. “Mark Edwards, the owner, had a great run with her. He's not a breeder, wanted to sell and that's why I bid. She's a wonderful mare and this increases my position in a really important one.
"The hope is she will be a significant producer. It's a great head start with a mare who was Horse of the Year, and one of the best fillies in the past 20 years. When they run, they run. She's got a lot of depth in her pedigree.”
Sikura continued, “She's at the farm, so we increased our interest tonight. You hope to breed the best horses. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. We've had good luck with superior race mares who have become superior producers. Statistically the best race mares generally produce the best horses. It's still a tough business to be in. If you have bad luck that trumps everything.”
"Statistically the best race mares generally produce the best horses." - John Sikura
McPeek added, “Mark (Edwards) was never one to go for the long ride, and he'd rather put that money back into young horses by trying to emulate the success he's had. Everyone wants a racehorse, but some people don't want to breed horses, which is just different sides of the fence. She's going into the next stage of her career and the next stage of her life cycle.
“I think John Sikura was very interested in that other share and I think he's going to work to bring some other people in on it. I'll help him do that. He's got a group that he pulled together on the first half.
John Sikura | Image courtesy of Keeneland
"And for me, I've handled Take Charge Lady, Swiss Skydiver, and I can give you a multitude of other Grade I-winning fillies, and I always encourage my clients to keep them. But that is part of this ride we are on and I'll keep going as long as I can. It's not about money at this stage. It's about the experience of creating, breeding, and finding the next great horse.”
"I've handled Take Charge Lady, Swiss Skydiver, and I can give you a multitude of other Grade I-winning fillies, and I always encourage my clients to keep them." - Ken McPeek
Other highlights, Life Is Good share makes one million
Other highlights included: a 25% interest in GI Breeders' Cup Sprint 5-2 morning-line favourite Bentornato (Valiant Minister) (Hip 7), who was a fantastic second for trainer Jose D'Angelo in last year's renewal, brought US$1 million (AU$1.52 million) from Michael and Jules Iavarone, and a stallion share (2.5% interest) in WinStar Farm stallion Life Is Good (Hip 1) brought US$1 million (AU$1.52 million) from Emerald Edge, agent.
A 25% interest in fellow Breeders' Cup Sprint contender Mullikin (Violence) (Hip 9) brought US$700,000 (AU$1.06 million) from RB Bloodstock, agent for Storyteller Racing. The latter offering was consigned by WinStar Farm, where Mullikin will stand in 2026.
Keeneland created the Championship Sale last year to be an opportunity for buyers to participate in the highest level while enjoying a festive event in the days before the Breeders' Cup.
Tony Lacy | Image courtesy of Keeneland
“I think we had a proof of concept last year and we proved this year that it really, really works,” Keeneland's Tony Lacy said. “It's great to see everyone here who are people in racing or folks that want to get involved in racing. People were cheering and hugging each other, so the atmosphere was just what we were looking for with this experience. That's really what we are trying to build on. It's a party and let's have fun.
"People were cheering and hugging each other, so the atmosphere was just what we were looking for with this experience." - Tony Lacy
“Let's make dreams happen. It's not always about trying to make as much money as possible. It's about, how can we jazz this side of the business up a bit more? This is a social business we are in and it's about relationships. It's a social enterprise. Over the years everything has become very transactional and it needs to be fun. It's business, but the fun element was what we were after here.”
