High Demand at Keeneland November

by Jessica Martini, Brian DiDonato, and Christie DeBernardis

The Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale opened Tuesday in Lexington with a strong session and plenty of demand. Godolphin's John Ferguson paid the day's top price of $3.5 million for Secret Gesture (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), a Classic-placed runner in foal to War Front who was one of 10 to bring seven figures on the day.

“It was a very strong session with great international appeal,” said Keeneland's Director of Sales Geoffrey Russell. “We had 10 million-dollar horses this year, versus seven a year ago, and three over $2 million. There was strong Japanese participation today and with many different buyers from Japan, too.”

Four of the million-dollar broodmares were purchased by Japanese interests, with Katsumi Yoshida's Northern Farm leading the way when buying Peace and War (War Front) for $1.45 million.

During Monday's session, 115 head grossed $50,155,000. The average was $436,130–up 31.53% from a year ago–while the median rose 28.39% to $260,000. The buy-back rate was 33.14%. It was 29.90% a year ago.

While seven horses sold for $1 million or more during last year's opening session, there were 24 offerings over $500,000. That figure rose to 31 Monday.

“The full market seemed to be very strong,” Russell said. “A couple of buyers told me today that they felt they had to stretch further to buy. One major buyer told me he had two choices, either he stretched or he went home with nothing. And he had to have product, so he stretched. I think, with the quality of the catalogue, people realized going in that they were going to have to stretch to buy them and I think that's what happened.”

The session's leading consignor was Three Chimneys Farm, which sold four of the seven-figure mares, as well as the day's top-priced weanling, a colt by Pioneerof the Nile who brought a final bid of $600,000 from R.C. Thoroughbreds.

The Keeneland November sale continues with the second and final Book 1 session beginning at 11 a.m. Wednesday.

Galileo Mare No 'Secret'

Sheikh Fahad Al Thani's Qatar Racing and Klaus Jacobs's Newsells Park Stud decided to bring the regally bred and covered international performer Secret Gesture (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) (hip 53) to market, and were handsomely rewarded Tuesday when Sheikh Mohammed's bloodstock advisor John Ferguson stretched to a session-topping $3.5 million. She was consigned by Hunter Valley Farm and is in foal to War Front.

“She's a lovely mare, and an outstanding race filly in Europe from a beautiful family,” said Ferguson, revealing that the 6-year-old would likely head overseas. “From our point of view, she was a mare that could make the difference. We're delighted to have her.”

Bred by Newsells Park and campaigned in partnership with Qatar Racing, the Ralph Beckett trainee took the 2015 G2 Middleton S. following four Group 1 placings that included a second in the 2013 G1 Investec Oaks. She crossed the wire first in last year's GI Beverly D. S. at Arlington, only to be disqualified to third in a controversial decision.

A full-sister to June's G3 International S. winner Sir Isaac Newton (GB) and a half to Australian MGSP Maurus (GB) (Medicean {GB}), Secret Gesture is a granddaughter of European highweight Saganeca (Sagace {Fr}). That makes her dam a half to G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Sagamix (Fr) (Linamix {GB}); Group 1 winner and French highweight Sagacity (Fr) (Highest Honor {Fr}); and GSW Sage et Jolie (GB) (Linamix {Fr}), the dam of G1SW Sageburg (Ire) (Johannesburg).

“We've got rather mixed emotions about seeing her sold,” said Sheikh Fahad's racing manager David Redvers. “She's a very, very rare commodity, and something we'd like to be in a position to keep, but that's an awful lot of money. She's going to a very good home.”

Newsells Park's general manager Julian Dollar added, “David's right–it's bittersweet. It was a great price, and she's going to a great home. We've got the mare and a couple of half-sisters in training, and David's got the full-sister, so there's a lot going on, and we've got something to keep at home. She was pretty special, so it's sad to let those go, but it's a great price and we've got to be happy.”

Secret Gesture's dam has a Galileo colt foal, is in foal to Galileo and will be bred back to the Coolmore Ireland resident next year.

“We've got the factory, if you like, and we felt that if she made enough we could afford to let her go,” Dollar continued. “It was a commercial decision, really.”

Secret Gesture's sale came shortly after Qatar Racing's 2014 GI Darley Alcibiades S. heroine Peace and War (War Front) brought $1.45 million from Katsumi Yoshida. @BDiDonatoTDN

Moyglare Drawn to Celestine's Speed

The Haefner family's Moyglare Stud was in search of some speed to add to its broodmare band, and found just what it was looking for Tuesday in the form of Celestine (Scat Daddy) (hip 144), the dominant winner of June's GI Just a Game S. at Belmont. Consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, Agent CLXXXIV, the 4-year-old cost $2.55 million.

“She'll go back into training,” revealed Fiona Craig, representative for the historic Irish-based operation. “She'll probably go down to Payson Park this week and join Christophe Clement. We'll see if we can win a race or two next year.”

As for what about Celestine caught her eye, Craig said, “I loved the speed. She's a smashing-looking filly with great speed. We've been trying to establish some fast mares. We have some great broodmares in Ireland, but fast, world-record speed is not something we're famous for. We're famous for older, late-maturing [horses], but we thought we'd add in a bit of speed and she's a lovely racemare. Obviously, it's hard when something's already won a Grade I, but she'll be in good hands.”

Moyglare's acquisition of Celestine is notably reminiscent of its $2.4-million purchase of GISW Discreet Marq (Discreet Cat) at Fasig-Tipton November two years ago. Already conditioned by Clement for breeder Patricia Generazio, the grey added the GIII Beaugay S. and finished third behind champion Tepin (Bernstein) in the Just a Game for Moyglare last term.

Celestine, a $100,000 KEESEP yearling pick-up by Jim and Ramona Bryan's Phaedrus Flights LLC, was a $975,000 RNA at the 2014 OBS June sale. Most recently trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, she annexed the GII Honey Fox S. at Gulfstream in April before a break-out score in the Just a Game for which she earned a 107 Beyer Speed Figure. Third in Keeneland's GI First Lady S. behind $3-million KEENOV '15 grad Photo Call (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Tepin Oct. 8, she was most recently 12th cutting back in a salty running of the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint last Saturday.

“We're very excited, and we're glad to see where she ended up,” said John Dowd, racing manager for the Bryans. “They're great people, and we know that she'll have a great racing career and broodmare life. We're very happy with the price.”

Regarding the decision to sell Celestine, Dowd said, “It's hard [to part with one like that], because they're very hard to replace. Good horses like that don't come along that often, but we'll have to go out and find some more.”

Dowd said that Celestine would likely have been offered at this sale regardless of where she finished at the Breeders' Cup. While he declined to reveal more about the owners, citing their desire for privacy, he noted that they have only been involved in racing for about the last three years and do not own any broodmares. Among their other standout runners was 2015GII Davona Dale S. heroine Ekati's Phaeton (Tale of Ekati). @BDiDonatoTDN

Lynn Continues to Revitalize Broodmare Band

Laura Jane Lyon went to $1.65 million at Monday evening's Fasig-Tipton November sale to take home Whatdreamsrmadeof (Graeme Hall), dam of MGISW Curalina (Curlin), in an effort to add more proven producers to her broodmare band at Summer Wind Farm. The breeder struck again Tuesday at Keeneland for GSW Tapicat (Tapit) (hip 85), who dropped the hammer at $2.2 million carrying her second foal by Pioneerof the Nile.

“It was a little more than I really wanted to go for her, but she was a really beautiful mare,” Lyon said while seated at the back of the pavilion. “She is a graded stakes mare and hopefully, if she reproduces herself, we will get it back.”

After her seven-figure purchase Monday, Lyon said she was focusing more on proven producers, but that did not deter her from extending for “TDN Rising Star” Tapicat, who produced her first foal last year, a colt by Medaglia d'Oro.

“We are trying to get a little heavier toward the upper end and maybe retire some of the mares that haven't done what we hoped so far,” Lyon remarked. “There are not that many proven producers in here and I thought she was an exceptionally beautiful mare. You have to have the looks to get a foal that people want to buy and I hope she can do it.”

Lyon went to $2.1 million at the 2014 FTKNOV sale to take home Littleprincessemma (Yankee Gentleman), the dam of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile), carrying a full-brother to the Horse of the Year.

When asked if the fact Tapicat was in foal to that WinStar stallion came into play, Lyon said with a laugh, “It certainly didn't hurt any! I love Pioneerof the Nile, obviously.”

A $750,000 purchase by Besilu Stable at this venue's 2011 September sale, Tapicat was consigned here by Three Chimneys Farm, who raced the mare in partnership with Besilu. The flashy chestnut won four of her 13 starts for Hall of Famer Bill Mott, including the GIII Florida Oaks. The 6-year-old is out of Zealous Cat (Storm Cat), a half-sister to GISW Pohave (Holy Bull).

Tapicat was Lyon's second purchase of the day after signing the $550,000 ticket on Talkin and Singing (Songandaprayer) just one hip earlier. Consigned by Taylor Made Sales on behalf of Fox Hill Farm, hip 84, who sold in foal to Candy Ride (Arg), fits in with Lyon's new strategy, having already produced GII San Felipe S. winner and “TDN Rising Star” Danzing Candy (Twirling Candy). The 9-year-old mare is a half-sister to MGISW multimillionaire Better Talk Now (Talkin Man).

“I'd like to add four [mares] in a perfect world,” Lyon commented. “I've still got more on my list, but it will depend what they bring, so we will see. I bought [Talkin and Singing] too and she is a producer.” Lyon struck again later in the session, snatching up GSP Zinzay (Smart Strike) for $25,000. Consigned by Three Chimneys Farm, hip 112, produced her first foal earlier this spring, a Tiznow filly, and is back in foal to Malibu Moon. The 5-year-old hails from the family of MGISW Music Note (A.P. Indy) and French Group 1 winner Musical Chimes (In Excess {Ire}). @CDeBernardisTDN

Conquest Dispersal Quickly Off the Mark

The much-anticipated dispersal of Ernie Semersky and Dory Newell's Conquest Stables got off the mark early on in Tuesday's KEENOV opener when 'TDN Rising Star' and 2014 GI Darley Alcibiades S. heroine My Conquestadory (Artie Schiller) (hip 21) garnered a winning bid of $1.5 million from the extremely active SF Bloodstock/Newgate Farm team. The 5-year-old, consigned by Lane's End Farm, was immediately preceded into the ring by her first foal–a leggy Tapit colt (hip 20) who went to S. L. P. H. for $410,000–and was sold carrying a full-sibling to that weanling.

“She's a beautiful mare,” offered SF's Tom Ryan. “A fantastic racemare in foal to the best stallion in the country by some [$7 million]… She's a gorgeous mare who's most likely going to go to Australia and be covered by Capitalist (Aus) (Written Tycoon {Aus}) or Extreme Choice (Aus) (Not a Single Doubt {Aus}).”

G1 Golden Slipper S. winner and 'TDN Rising Star' Capitalist, partially owned by both SF and Newgate, was retired to Henry Field's Newgate in New South Wales Monday (click here for more). SF and Newgate are also part of a large syndicate that campaigns Extreme Choice, winner of the G1 Blue Diamond S. and G1 Moir S. this term.

SF and Newgate signed together for four mares at Monday evening's Fasig-Tipton November sale for a combined $1.585 million, including GI E.P. Taylor S. winner Al's Gal (English Channel) for $800,000. They spent $2.56 million on four mares Tuesday.

Lane's End's Bill Farish said the price paid for My Conquestadory was about what he expected.

“That was a good price, but she was worth that–she's definitely worth that,” he offered. “I don't feel that we knocked the cover off or anything–that's about where we had her.”

When asked about the mare's Tapit colt, he replied, “The weanling was a nice Tapit colt–I think that's good value for him. He wouldn't be a bad pinhook prospect. He's a Tapit colt out of a Grade I winner… I think [his presence] helped her a lot–it always helps to see what kind of foal a mare will throw. A good one like him can only help, and the fact that she's carrying a Tapit filly is a nice thing too for a breeder.” @BDiDonatoTDN

Japan Gets Peace and War

Peace and War (War Front), who failed to sell at $1.5 million at last year's Fasig-Tipton November sale, returned to the ring Tuesday in foal to leading sire Tapit and was knocked down to Japan's Northern Farm for $1.45 million.

“We tried to buy Monday at Fasig-Tipton, so we are very happy to get this one today,” Shunsuke Yoshida admitted after signing the ticket on the Grade I winner Tuesday at Keeneland. “We saw her last year and thought she was a very nice individual and now she is in foal to Tapit. We thought we would have to pay this amount of money to get her and we are very happy to have her.”

Bred by Sally Andersen, Peace and War (hip 32) was purchased by David Redvers on behalf of Qatar Racing for $300,000 at the 2013 Keeneland September sale. She went on to win the 2014 GI Darley Alcibiades S. and was second in the 2015 GI Cotillion S. The mare was consigned to the November sale by Hunter Valley Farm.

Later in the session, Northern Farm acquired another seven-figure mare, paying $1 million for Dust and Diamonds (Vindication) (hip 175). In all, Katsumi Yoshida's Northern Farm purchased four mares Tuesday. @JessMartiniTDN

Pope Returns to the Evans Well

It wouldn't be a breeding stock sale without the presence of Mandy Pope and the Whisper Hill Farm owner struck early during Tuesday's opening session of Keeneland November, going to $1.4 million for Princesa Silvia (Medaglia d'Oro).

Consigned by Three Chimneys Farm, who owned the mare in partnership with breeder Besilu Stables, hip 35 is a half-sister to Quiet Giant (Giant's Causeway), the dam of the $1.4 million Tapit yearling filly Pope purchased at Keeneland September (click here for catalogue page), as well as MGSW & MGISP Gun Runner (Candy Ride {Arg}).

“I was hoping to get her for around $750,000 or $800,000,” Pope said after signing the ticket at the back of the pavilion. “It was a little bit more, but I bought a yearling filly out of [her half-sister] Quiet Giant in September, so I loved the family. She's nice, she's lovely, well-bred. We'll see where we go.”

Pope does not have a stallion picked out yet for the 3-year-old filly, who won one of her four starts for Bill Mott, breaking her maiden at Keeneland this spring.

“No [stallion] at this point,” Pope remarked. “I'd love to breed her to Tapit, but I don't know if I can get that in there or not, so we will find somebody else. I'll have to work on it, maybe War Front. We'll see.”

Hailing from a very deep female family developed by Ned Evans, Princesa Silvia is out of GSP Quiet Dance (Quiet American), who Besilu purchased at the 2011 renewal of this auction for $800,000 as part of the Evans dispersal. In addition to GSP Quiet Giant, a $3-million buy for Besilu in 2011, Princesa Silvia is also a half-sister to Horse of the Year Saint Liam (Saint Ballado); SW and $2-million Besilu buy Dance Quietly (A.P. Indy); GSW Congressionalhonor (Forestry); and MGISP “TDN Rising Star” Miss Besilu (Medaglia d'Oro), who was just a weanling when purchased by Besilu for $2.6 million at the dispersal.

When asked if she had an affinity for the Evans bloodlines, Pope said, “I do. Obviously this whole family is from [Evans]. He did a great job on making a broodmare band and getting the racehorses. I would love to live up to what he achieved. That would just be wonderful. It would be a dream come true. He did a wonderful job.”

Pope showed that affinity again later in Tuesday's session, going to $950,000 to take home Princesa Silvia's half-sister Dance Quietly, who sold in foal to Medaglia d'Oro. Hip 164 was also consigned by Three Chimneys Farm.

The breeder also partnered with Gainesway's Antony Beck on GISP Graeme Six (Graeme Hall), another $950,000 acquisition from the Three Chimneys consignment. Catalogued as hip 210, the 12-year-old mare, who sold carrying a foal by Pioneerof the Nile, is the dam of graded stakes winners Cali Star (Street Cry {Ire}) and Delightful Joy (Tapit). @CDeBernardisTDN

Three Chimneys Consolidates

Three Chimneys Farm, looking to consolidate its numbers, parted ways with four mares who attracted seven-figure final bids during Tuesday's opening session of the Keeneland November sale. Mandy Pope's Whisper Hill Farm paid $1.4 million for the broodmare prospect Princesa Silvia (Medaglia d'Oro), while Grade I winner Summer Soiree (War Front), in foal to Medaglia d'Oro, will head to Japan after selling for $1.3 million to Dr. Masataki Iida of Chiyoda Farm.

“She is a lovely mare with good conformation,” Iida said. “We saw her weanling and he looked like a very nice colt.”

Summer Soiree was proceeded into the Keeneland sales ring by her weanling colt (hip 74) by Will Take Charge, who sold for $350,000 to Dennis O'Neill.

Summer Soiree (hip 75), who won the 2011 GI Del Mar Oaks over the lawn, was followed a few hips later by the Three Chimneys-consigned Tapicat (Tapit) (hip 85), who sold for $2.2 million to Laura Jane Lyon of Summer Wind Farm. The 6-year-old mare, in foal to Pioneerof the Nile, also has a graded stakes win over the turf having won the 2013 GIII Florida Oaks.

“For us, we are reducing our numbers and focusing on mares that we think are more likely to produce dirt horses and on dirt stallions,” explained Three Chimneys' Chris Baker. “Tapicat was turfy in her performance and in her looks, as well, so she was one that we chose to capitalize on selling rather than keeping as we reduce numbers. And Summer Soiree was the same situation.”

Baker admitted he was pleased with the results.

“It exceeded our expectations,” he said of the sales. “It's more of the same in that what's good, sells well and what isn't, doesn't. But there seems to be a higher ceiling on what is good and that makes it a good time to be selling.”

Later in Tuesday's session, Three Chimneys added another seven-figure sale when Dust and Diamonds (Vindication) (hip 175) brought $1 million from Northern Farm. That mare's colt by Pioneerof the Nile (hip 174) was the top-priced weanling of the day, selling for $600,000 to R.C. Thoroughbreds.

Three Chimneys also sold the mare Lady Zuzu (Dynaformer) for $2.35 million during Monday's Fasig-Tipton November sale.

In all, Three Chimneys sold 17 head Tuesday for a total of $12,975,000. @JessMartiniTDN

KI Farm Playing HOY Matchmaker

Tomoyuki Nakamura's KI Farm went to $1 million late in Tuesday's Keeneland November session to scoop up Lexie Lou (Sligo Bay {Ire}), Canada's 2014 Horse of the Year. The Queen's Plate heroine and two-time Grade II winner this year was consigned as hip 232 by Bluewater Sales, Agent XXIII on behalf of owner Gary Barber.

KI Farm campaigned Japan's 2013 Horse of the Year Lord Kanaloa (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}), who now stands at Shadai Stallion Station. Lexie Lou has a future date with Lord Kanaloa, but not before visiting two-time European Horse of the Year Frankel (GB) (Galileo {Ire}).

“The reason why [Nakamura] bought this mare is she's a Horse of the Year in Canada,” explained a KI Farm representative. “They plan to ship her to England to breed her to Frankel. After that, he'll bring her to Japan and then breed to Lord Kanaloa. [The price] was a little bit more than we expected, but he loved that mare.” @BDiDonatoTDN

War Front Colt Headed to the Spa

A well-rated War Front colt made some noise at Keeneland Tuesday, summoning $560,000 from Scott and Evan Dilworth as a pinhooking prospect. Hip 177, a half-brother to MGSW & MGISP Parranda (English Channel), was consigned by Taylor Made Sales.

“War Fronts do well,” Scott Dillworth said after signing the ticket out back. “We are going to pinhook him and take him to Saratoga [for the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling Sale]. He was very well-balanced and for a War Front, he had a lot of stretch to him. That was the main thing.”

Bred by SF Bloodstock, Denny Andrews and Crockett Farm, the bay is out of Dynamic Feature (Rahy) and hails from the family of GSW Sisterly Love (Bellamy Road).

The Dilworths also pinhooked G2 Queen Mary S. heroine Acapulco (Scat Daddy), purchasing her for $180,000 at the 2014 Fasig-Tipton July Yearling Sale and reselling her to Coolmore for $750,000 at OBS March. @CDeBernardisTDN

Tapit Filly to Pinhooking Partnership

A filly by Tapit is destined for a return trip through the sales ring after selling to a pinhooking partnership for $525,000 during Tuesday's session of the Keeneland November sale. The partnership includes Brian Graves, Mike McMahon and Jamie Hill, as well as a new investor in the game.

“She is a super filly with gorgeous balance and a beautiful pedigree,” commented Graves. “We think she has a chance to be $1-million yearling.”

Hip 154 is the second foal out of the multiple graded stakes placed Colonial Flag (Pleasant Tap), a half-sister to GI Breeders' Cup F/M Turf winner Shared Account (Pleasantly Perfect). The weanling was bred by Jon Clay's Alpha Delta Stables, which purchased Colonial Flag with this foal in utero for $1.6 million at the 2015 Keeneland November sale.

Asked if there were any concerns spending $525,000 on a pinhooking prospect, Graves said, “There are always worries, but Tapit's yearlings average over $600,000 and I think she is far above average. She certainly has an above-average pedigree.” @JessMartiniTDN