Home » Keeneland January Sale surpasses 2011 gross on second day of selling

Keeneland January Sale surpasses 2011 gross on second day of selling

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 10, 2012) – Confidence in the market was borne out on Tuesday when gross receipts of $30,115,300 for the opening two days of Keeneland’s January Horses of All Ages Sale exceeded total sales of $25,250,350 for last year’s five-day auction.

Cumulatively, Keeneland has sold 487 horses for $30,115,300, up 53.6 percent over the comparable two sessions in 2011 when 392 horses brought $19,600,200. The average of $61,838 increased 23.6 percent from $50,001 recorded last year. The median rose 50 percent from $20,000 to $30,000.

On Tuesday, Keeneland sold 278 horses for $16,183,100, an increase of 81.5 percent over 2011 when 205 horses brought $8,912,600. Average price was up 33.9 percent from $43,476 to $58,213. The median of $27,000 rose 35 percent from last year’s $20,000.

Nineteen horses sold for $200,000 or more compared to six on this day last year.

“It was another strong day, with increases in average and median prices and an especially big increase in gross sales,” said Walt Robertson, Keeneland’s vice president of sales. “By late this afternoon we surpassed last year’s gross for a five-day sale. The RNA rate continues to decrease which is another strong indicator of confidence in the market. Buyers are going after quality mares and quality yearlings with equal gusto.”

Brisk trade from an active mix of domestic and foreign buyers seeking top-quality broodmares and yearlings fueled the double-digit growth. Demand on Tuesday was evidenced by the 36 decrease in the RNA rate.

 

Topping the Tuesday session was the $600,000 paid by Blandford Bloodstock’s Tom Goff for the regally bred Magnificent Honour, a full sister to 2007 Belmont (G1) winner and champion Rags to Riches and a half-sister to 2006 Belmont winner Jazil. The 10-year-old daughter of A. P. Indy was sold in foal to leading sire Giant’s Causeway.

 

“She’s a standout on pedigree,” said Goff, who signed the ticket on behalf of an undisclosed European-based client. “It’s probably one of the best families in the American Stud Book, in my opinion.”

 

Consigned by Paramount Sales, agent, Magnificent Honour is out of graded stakes winner and 2007 Broodmare of the Year Better Than Honour. In addition to Rags to Riches and Jazil, the mare is a half-sister to Irish high weight Man of Iron and Grade 2 stakes winner Casino Drive. Goff reported that the mare will remain in Kentucky and likely be bred back to Giant’s Causeway.

 

Teruya Yoshida’s Shadai Farm went to $525,000 to acquire Cozi Rosie, winner of the 2011 John C. Mabee Stakes (G2) and Buena Vista Handicap (G2). She was consigned as a broodmare prospect by Lane’s End, agent.

“Her family is great. We are happy to get her at that price,” said Yoshihiro Nakaji, a veterinarian representing Shadai Farm who signed the ticket for the mare.

A 5-year-old mare by Pleasantly Perfect out of Felidia (IRE), by Golden Fleece, Cozi Rosie is a half-sister to multiple graded stakes winner and sire Lexicon and stakes winner My Captain.

A half-brother by Unbridled’s Song to 2011 Humana Distaff (G1) and Princess Rooney Handicap (G1) winner Sassy Image commanded the day’s top price for a yearling, selling to Rick Porter’s Fox Hill Farm for $490,000. He was consigned by Havens Bloodstock Agency, agent.

“He’s a great Unbridled’s Song, and that sort of says everything when it’s Rick Porter. He really wanted to buy him and he did,” said Fox Hill’s Victoria Keith, who signed the ticket for the colt. Porter has had success on the racetrack with offspring of Unbridled’s Song.

“We actually thought we could come in and buy some mares, but it’s been awfully tough to buy the good mares,” Keith added. “Every time we set a price, (the bidding) went right by it. That’s great for the market, great for racing, and great for breeders, but not so good for us.”

Touching Beauty, winner of the 2010 Comely Stakes (G3) and sold in foal to Unbridled’s Song, was purchased for $450,000 by Reiley McDonald’s Eaton Sales, as agent for an undisclosed client. Consigned by Gainesway, agent, Touching Beauty is a five-year-old daughter of Tapit and a full sister to stakes winner Noisy Feet.

Two horses – a yearling filly by Empire Maker and the stakes-placed mare Art Princess, sold in foal to Tapit – brought $400,000 each.

The Empire Maker filly, out of Oak Tree Invitational (G1) and Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) winner Ticker Tape (GB), by Royal Applause, sold to Irish-based agent Tim Hyde. She was consigned by Eaton Sales, agent.

“I like that she was a very good physical and her dam was very, very good,” said Hyde, who reported that he purchased the filly as a pinhook prospect.

Katsumi Yoshida, owner of Japan’s Northern Farm, bought Art Princess, a six-year-old mare by Officer who is a half-sister to multiple Grade 1 stakes winner Zazu. She was consigned by Gainesway, agent.

The January Sale continues through Thursday. Sessions begin daily at 10 a.m. The entire sale is streamed live at Keeneland.com