LEXINGTON, Ky. — Ancient Peace, a Sam-Son Farm-bred 3-year-old filly by War Front who was impressive when she scored her first victory in December on the turf at Santa Anita by 4¼ lengths, was purchased by Boardshorts Stables for $650,000 to headline a robust day of selling during Tuesday’s second session of the Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale.
For the day, Keeneland sold 251 horses for $19,865,000, up 5.33 percent from last year’s gross of $18,859,500 for 263 horses. The average of $79,143 rose 10.37 percent from $71,709 in 2022, while the median of $40,000 remained unchanged.
Through two sessions this year, Keeneland has sold 475 horses for $36,126,900, just off the $36,848,700 reported for 511 horses sold in 2022. The average of $76,057 increased 5.47 percent from last year’s $72,111, while the median of $40,000 remained unchanged.
“The session started strong and held pace,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “We’ve got to be very encouraged with the consistency within the market. Quality was selling well. There was hunger for the good stock and it was very competitive on the buying front – with frustrated buyers in certain cases – but people were happy with what they were getting for most of the stock. There was good energy around the place, and I think it bodes well as we power into 2023 and the breeding season ahead.
“There is great diversity in the domestic buying pool,” Lacy added. “The top 15 horses were bought by 14 different entities. The short yearlings were very strong, and there was strong demand for them. Young mares off the track and proven mares were extremely appealing, and people were paying a premium for them. Quality is in strong demand. People aren’t willing to spend a lot of money on something they don’t feel has strong marketable value. I think it is going to be healthy all the way through the sale. If you have a nice individual, it will be found.”
Keeneland Director of Sales Operations Cormac Breathnach agreed.
“The whole day had good energy and good trade,” he said. “It is always nice to finish with a couple of highlights like we did. It gives energy going into the next day.”
Ancient Peace, who was supplemented to the January Sale, is out of Grade 2 winner Deceptive Vision, by A.P. Indy, and from the family of Canadian Horse of the Year Quiet Resolve; additional Canadian champions Eye of the Sphynx, Eye of the Leopard and Desert Ride; and Grade 2 winner Cleopatra’s Strike. She was consigned by Indian Creek, agent.
“We are happy that she was supplemented to the sale,” Hunter Rankin, who signed the ticket, said. “We are building a stable and think she is a really good foundation horse. Even if she never wins another race, she has a great catalog page.”
Boardshorts was the session’s leading buyer, spending $1.1 million for two horses. It also spent $450,000 on Empire Hope, a 4-year-old winning daughter of Empire Maker who is a half-sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Sassy Image. Empire Hope also was consigned by Indian Creek, agent.
England’s Rose, a 7-year-old stakes-winning daughter of English Channel who was second in the Matriarch (G1) at Del Mar in December, sold to James Schenck, agent, for $600,000. Consigned by Lane’s End, agent, she is out of stakes-placed Gingham and Lace, by Kris S., and from the family of Grade 2 winner Leggs Galore and Grade 3 winner and sire Conveyance.
West Bloodstock, agent for Repole Stable, paid $550,000 for Grade 3 winner In Good Spirits, a 6-year-old daughter of Ghostzapper consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent for Bal Mar Equine. Out of the winning Arch mare Mon Arch Lass, she is from the family of stakes winners Sir Five Star, Overpass and Amazing Star.
Joining the aforementioned Empire Hope to bring $450,000 was Palio Flag, a 6-year-old winning daughter of Curlin in foal to Maclean’s Music, who sold to Gage Hill Stable. From a family that includes Racing Hall of Famer Personal Ensign and Grade 1 winners Miner’s Mark, Traditionally and My Flag, Palio Flag is out of Grade 2-placed winner Private Ensign, by A.P. Indy, and is a half-sister to stakes winner Great Sister Diane. She was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent for STH.
Selling 28 horses for $3,063,000, Taylor Made Sales Agency was the session’s leading consignor.
Two horses brought $425,000 apiece.
Mike Akers, agent, paid the amount for Orinoco River, a 4-year-old, stakes-placed winning daughter of War Front in foal to Wootton Bassett. Out of Coin Broker (IRE), by Montjeu (IRE), she is a half-sister to Grade 3 winner and Grade 1-placed Donna Veloce and from the family of Grade 1 winners Cash Run and Forestry. Orinoco River was consigned by Paramount Sales, agent.
Akers said Orinoco River was purchased for a client in Europe.
Mallory, agent for Determined Stud, paid $425,000 for Dream Passage, a 9-year-old, winning stakes-placed mare by Stormy Atlantic in foal to Gun Runner. Out of Raffie’s Dream, by Raffie’s Majesty, she is a full sister to Grade 3 winner Stormy’s Majesty. Dream Passage was consigned by Mulholland Springs, agent.
A colt by Uncle Mo became the session’s most expensive yearling when he sold for $340,000 to Castleton Way. Consigned by Lane’s End, agent, he is out of the winning Candy Ride (ARG) mare Canteen and from the family of Grade 3 winner English Affair.
A yearling colt by Uncle Mo who is out of the Yankee Victor mare Victory Party, a half-sister to champion Beholder and Grade 1 winners and sires Mendelssohn and Into Mischief, sold to Jackpot Farm/Corinne and Bill Heiligbrodt for $335,000. He was consigned by Eaton Sales, agent.
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