The third-annual Keeneland Championship Sale will be held on October 28, on the Wednesday night prior to the Breeders’ Cup weekend. This year’s sale includes a 25% in Matthew Sandblom’s group winning juvenile filly Primetime Emmy (Extreme Choice) and Castleton Lyon, one of Kentucky’s oldest horse studs.
The inaugural sale in 2024 saw a 2.5% share in Flightline sell for US$2.5 million (AU$3.6 million), while the second sale saw a 2% share in Not This Time sell for US$3 million (AU$4.3 million).
“Every year, we ask ourselves how we can push the Championship Sale forward, giving our guests an unforgettable event and buyers something they can't find anywhere else,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said.
This year’s catalogue of 11 lots is without a shareholding in a proven stallion, but there’s still plenty to get the taste buds watering for those seeking a Breeders’ Cup runner.
Extreme Choice filly with Breeders’ Cup nomination
Francis-Henri Graffard-trained 2-year-old filly Primetime Emmy (Extreme Choice) is expected to run in Friday’s G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. A 25% share in her will be offered as Lot 3.
“I have had so much faith in Extreme Choice from the very beginning, and to be able to race his progeny on the biggest stage globally brings my vision to fruition,” Sandblom said.
“I am so excited to have Primetime Emmy competing at Keeneland in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf and look forward to sharing the journey well into the future with her successful buyer at the Championship Sale.”
Bred in Australia by Matthew Sandblom at Kingstar Farm, Primetime Emmy was bred on Northern Hemisphere time with the intention to campaign her as a 2-year-old in France.
Primetime Emmy | Image courtesy of Keeneland
Trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, the filly won her July 12 debut at Deauville by 2.5 lengths, becoming the first European winner for her sire, Extreme Choice.
After a fifth-place finish in the G3 Prix de Cabourg, she returned to the winner's circle on September 19 at Chantilly, where she captured the G3 Prix Eclipse Tattersalls by a head, becoming the first Northern Hemisphere group winner for the stallion.
“This was a long-term project, and plans like this very rarely work. I think this may even be the first time an Australian-bred horse has come to Europe and won a Group race as a 2-year-old. It simply doesn’t happen,” Sandblom told TTR after the win.
“For it to have succeeded makes this one of the greatest moments of my racing career. I have won many Group 1 races, but this victory ranks among my finest memories.”
Primetime Emmy is out of stakes winner Princess Emmy (NZ) (King's Chapel), and is a half-sister to Group 3 winner Thurlow (Sebring) and stakes winner Three Kings (Sebring).
Matthew Sandblom | Image courtesy of Kingstar Farm
Another Group 1-winning filly added to catalogue
Primetime Emmy won't be the only filly attracting international attention, with G1 Prix de l’Abbaye winner Miss Yechance (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}) supplemented as Lot 10, just three days before her intended start in Saturday’s G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.
Trained by Karl Burke, the 3-year-old has won her last three starts, progressing from a valuable York handicap in August to the G3 World Trophy at Newbury and G1 Prix de l’Abbaye at Longchamp on October 4.
“She has been an absolute revelation since coming to me early this summer,” Burke said. “She’s just kept on progressing.”
“She’s uncomplicated, so tough and a battler, and seems versatile on most surfaces,” Burke continued. “She’s run well on dirt in Dubai, and you’d think she’s only going to get better. She could hold her own in sprint races around the world next year.”
“I’d love to keep training her but, if I don’t, I’d be delighted to train her progeny one day,” he said. “If she transmits her hardiness and will to win to her foals, then she is going to make an outstanding broodmare when the time comes.”
Offered on behalf of Al Leith Racing Club, Miss Yechance also holds appeal as a future broodmare for Australia, being by a son of Exceed And Excel out of a Wootton Bassett mare.
Castleton, a chance to own a historic farm
Historic Castleton Farm will be the final lot through the ring at Keeneland’s 2026 Championships Sale. Founded in 1793 by John Breckinridge, Castleton is one of the Bluegrass' oldest and most storied horse farms, its roots reaching back to the beginning of the nation. The farm rose to prominence in the late 19th century, producing 1896 Kentucky Derby winner Ben Brush among other champions.
“This year's auction promises to be exceptional, set against one of the most picturesque backdrops in the Bluegrass, and closing the evening with the offering of Castleton. These historic moments are what make the Championship Sale so special,” Arvin said.
Today, under the stewardship of the Ryan family of Ryanair who purchased the property in 2001, the farm continues that legacy.
“We have been blessed to be part of Castleton's history, and I would welcome whoever takes over those reins to wrap their arms around this place and truly enjoy it,” said current Castleton owner Shane Ryan.
Castleton Farm | Image courtesy of Triple Crown Capital Stables
“If possible, live here–live here full-time. Make it your home and enjoy every moment of it. It's only when you spend even a little time here that you begin to understand what makes the farm so extraordinary. Enjoy the grande dame that is Castleton.”
Located minutes from Lexington, Castleton consists of 951 acres and the main house is a Greek Revival mansion dating to 1840. The property includes 16 barns ranging from intimate 4-stall setups to a substantial 30-stall facility, totalling 268 stalls, and has ten houses offering different staff facilities.
The property is valued around US$57 million (AU$81 million).
Stallion prospects on offer
Among the nine remaining equine lots, after the 33% share in Crazy Hot Mess (USA) (Pinehurst {USA}) was withdrawn, are several stallion prospects.
A 2.5% interest in multiple Grade I-winning 'TDN Rising Star' Englishman (Maxfield) is Lot 9. Lane's End will consign the share in Englishman, who is expected to be the favourite for the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint on Breeders' Cup Saturday, October 31.
The 2.5% share in the GI Woody Stephens Stakes and GI H. Allen Jerkens Stakes winner represents breeding rights only and does not include racing rights for the Breeders' Cup. If the colt should remain in training in 2027, the shareholder will retain a 2.5% interest in the colt's racing income and expenses for the season.
Englishman | Image courtesy of Keeneland
Lot 5 is 100% of 2-year-old colt Hell Of A Spin (Ire) (Naval Crown {GB}) who runs in Friday’s G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. A winner this season, he was third in the G1 Middle Park Stakes behind Orthodox (GB) (Havana Gray {GB}) and Force Noir (Ire) (Persian Force {Ire}).
A 25% share in 3-year-old colt Liam Smith (USA) (Midshipman {USA}) is Lot 6. He runs in Saturday’s G1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint.
Hell Of A Spin (Ire) | Image courtesy of Keeneland
Lot 7 is 2-year-old filly Ballinea Star (Ire) (Space Blues {Ire}) who is nominated for Friday’s G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. She won the G3 Anglesey Stakes at the Curragh.
Ballinea Star (Ire) | Image courtesy of Keeneland
Past sale statistics
With the addition of Castleton, the sale gross will easily exceed the past two years if the farm sells for anything near its current valuation. Even without that, the various equine offerings look like they should hold up with the first two editions of the Keeneland Championship Sale.
In 2024, a total of five head brought US$4.325 million (AU$6.1 million), good for an average of US$865,000 (AU$1.23 million) and a median of US$475,000 (AU$677,000).
The second edition in 2025 saw some growth with seven lots sold for US$7.675 million (AU$10.9 million), at an average of US$1.09 million (AU$1.55 million) and a median of US$1 million (AU$1.43 million).
One thing is for certain, next Wednesday evening (Thursday morning AEST), all Australian eyes will be watching to see how the American market reacts to the shareholding in Primetime Emmy.
