LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 9, 2012) – Grade 1 stakes-producing broodmares, highlighted by the sale of Topliner for $1.4 million, commanded top price and contributed to substantial gains in session results on opening day of Keeneland’s January Horses of All Ages Sale.
Keeneland sold 209 horses on Monday for $13,932,200, up 30.3 percent over 2011 when 187 horses brought $10,687,600. Average price rose 16.6 percent from $57,153 to $66,661. The median of $32,000 increased 60 percent from last year’s $20,000. The RNA rate decreased 21 percent.
“This was a good, solid start to the sale,” said Keeneland Vice President of Sales Walt Robertson. “We saw significant increases in the gross, median and average, and a big decrease in the RNA rate, while the top prices today mirrored last year’s top prices at this session. All of these are favorable indicators and we hope that the momentum continues.”
Northern Farm’s Katsumi Yoshida purchased Topliner, dam of 2011 Matriarch (G1) and Senorita (G3) winner Star Billing, sold in foal to leading sire Medaglia d’Oro. Consigned by Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales Agency, agent, Topliner is a 10-year-old daughter of Thunder Gulch. Out of the stakes-placed Relaunch mare To the Hunt, Topliner is a half-sister to multiple Grade 1 stakes winners Stellar Jayne and Starrer.
“She’s a young, proven mare and her family is great,” said Naohiro Hosoda, who signed the ticket on behalf of Yoshida. Hosoda reported that Topliner will be sent to Japan.
Adrian Regan and Fergus Galvin of Hunter Valley Farm, on behalf of an undisclosed client, paid the day’s second-highest price of $775,000 for Grade 2 stakes winner Spice Island, in foal to leading sire Tapit. A 13-year-old daughter of Tabasco Cat, Spice Island is the dam of Ice Box, winner of the 2010 Florida Derby (G1) and second in the Kentucky Derby (G1) who was recently retired to stud at Calumet Farm. Spice Island was consigned by Bluewater Sales, agent.
“She has a lovely physical; she ticked all the boxes,” said Regan. “Obviously, she is in foal to the right sire and she’s the dam of a Grade 1 winner. She’s everything you want.”
An Elusive Quality colt and a Tapit filly each sold for $250,000, the day’s top price for a yearling.
Florida Bloodstock Investments bought the colt by Elusive Quality out of the graded stakes-placed mare Grace Anatomy, by Aldebaran. Consigned by Paragon Farms, agent, the colt is from the family of champion grass mare Soaring Softly and Grade 1 stakes winner Plenty of Grace.
The Tapit filly was purchased by John D. Gunther from the consignment of Three Chimneys Sales, agent for Nordic Thoroughbreds. Out of the stakes-placed Harlan’s Holiday mare Lady On Holiday, the filly is from the family of Grade 3 stakes winner Bold Start.
The January Sale continues through Thursday, Jan. 12. Sessions begin daily at 10 a.m. The entire sale is streamed live at Keeneland.com.
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