Solid Market Continues at September

by Jessica Martini, Brian DiDonato and Justina Severni

The Keeneland September Yearling Sale continued apace Tuesday in Lexington, with figures holding largely in line with 2014.

“I thought it was solid and steady all the way through,” commented Keeneland's Director of Sales Geoffrey Russell. “From start to finish, it was steady.”

For the session, 142 yearlings sold for $42,965,000. The average was $302,570 and the median was $245,000. Through two of three Book 1 sessions, 292 yearlings have grossed $87,607,000, for an average of $300,024 and a median of $250,000. The cumulative average for last year's four-session Book 1 was $300,535 and the median was $240,000. The two-day buy-back rate stands at 31.46%. After two sessions last year, it was 27.41%. Russell reiterated that figure is not surprising for Book 1 horses.

“We are dealing with a different part of the market in regards to buy-back rates,” he explained. “These people can afford to race their horses if they don't get what they think is sufficient value. As we go on later in the sale, it would be more of a concern.”

Goncalo Torrealba of Three Chimneys Farm saw off Mandy Pope to secure hip 277, a colt by Distorted Humor out of Forest Music (Unbridled's Song), for $1.525 million to top the session and the sale so far. Through two days of selling, five yearlings have brought seven figures. A total of 13 yearlings topped the million-dollar mark during last year's sale.

“It was good to see Mr. Torrealba engage Mandy Pope in a bidding duel,” Russell said. “And it was good to see new people in the Thoroughbred industry partaking at the highest level. It was great to see Mr. Torrealba looking to the future for obviously a stallion prospect. It's a very encouraging aspect of the market.”

Three Chimneys Signs for Topper…

Just 46 hips into Tuesday's second session of the Keeneland September Sale, the fireworks were already starting with hip 277, a Stonestreet-bred colt by Distorted Humor who brought down the hammer at $1.525 million. Three Chimneys Farm chairman Goncalo Torrealba, seated alongside Stonestreet's Barbara Banke, signed the ticket, and said that the farm may go into a partnership with the breeder, but the particulars still need to be sussed out. Many Pope was the underbidder.

“We loved him–pedigree, looks, and everything,” Torrealba said. “Hopefully, we'll see our next step, but he's going to race with Stonestreet. We're excited. He's just outstanding.”

Of the possible partnership, the native of Brazil explained, “We're discussing it, but we think that's where it's going. Three Chimneys is all about trying to build good partnerships, so we always go in with the idea of a partnership. Partnering with good people is what we're about, and Barbara is better than that.”

Torrealba also noted that the price was a bit higher than he expected, but didn't mind dishing out the $1.525 million.

“We always go a little further,” Torrealba offered. “The good ones are hard to come by.”

The gray colt is the fifth foal out of Forest Music (Unbridled's Song). The dam was originally purchased by trainer Mark Shuman for $325,000 out of the 2003 Fasig-Tipton Florida Sale. She was a graded stakes winner and was MGISP for Shuman and owner Michael Gill before being privately purchased during her 4-year-old season by Stonestreet. She annexed the GII Honorable Miss S. for Stonestreet and conditioner Steve Asmussen and after two off-the-board finishes, was retired at the end of the year. She is out of the stakes winning dam Defer West and is a half-sister to GIII Sapling S. winner Shooter. This is also the family of Baffle Me, Mining and Onward Royal.

Forest Music's first foal, Maclean's Music (Distorted Humor), who RNA'd for $900,000 at this sale in 2009, made only one career start, although an impressive one, earning a 114 Beyer Speed Figure and the 'TDN Rising Star' designation. He currently stands at Hill 'n' Dale for $6,500. Forest Music's 2010 produce, a colt by Giant's Causeway, was unraced, as is Sonoma County (Street Cry {Ire}), he next foal, who was purchased by George Bolton for $1.2 million at the 2011 Keeneland September sale.

Kentuckian, her 2012 Tiznow colt, went to Fox Hill Farm for $610,000 at the 2013 September sale. That Jerry Hollendorfer trainee annexed Los Alamitos's

GIII Lazaro Barrera S. this spring and was most recently third in the GII Los Alamitos Derby in July. Forest Music has a Curlin weanling filly and was bred back to Tiznow this spring.

“She gets runners,” Banke said of her successful mare. “She was fast and raced every two weeks around the country. [This colt] looks like a runner and he acts like a runner. He does everything right.”

As for the possible partnership, Banke said she generally will keep fillies she wants for her broodmare band and tries to retain a piece of impressive colts.

“I don't like partners on fillies because they're going to go to the breeder, but I tend to try and sell the colts and sometimes stay in them,” she said. “This one is definitely one that I'll be happy to [be in a partnership in]. He moves great, he vets well. He's an awesome horse. This year we got lucky, we had about 26 that I wouldn't mind keeping, but, obviously, I'm in the business and this is a business and we have to make money.”

Banke continued that she believed the colt would get a lot of action, but “the reserve was under a million.”

The breeder has had an exceptional summer with Rachel Alexandra's homebred foals, Jess's Dream (Curlin) and Rachel's Valentina (Bernardini). Both were tabbed 'TDN Rising Stars' over the summer after their respective Saratoga debuts, and the latter won the GI Spinaway S.

“I keep seeing [Rachel's Valentina's trainer] Todd [Pletcher] from afar, so if you see him, point him in my direction,” she quipped. “Last I heard she's doing great. She's so funny because her mother is kind of a pill, but s

he is the sweetest filly. She's like a puppy. I'm so happy we have her.”

Banke is of the opinion that the yearling market consistently represents the best opportunity to shop for horses.

“The 2-year-old sales–I thought the prices were pretty high for what you were getting,” she explained. “So, if somebody wanted to fill their barns with 2-year-olds for the 3-year-old season, you'd have to pay a pretty penny. The next logical step is to buy them as yearlings, I think that's what people will be doing. The middle market is good because that's what people can handle, and a lot of the runners come out of the middle market. You just have to see if you can buy smart. I have a very nice Ghostzapper colt that I think I paid $200,000 [at the 2014 Keeneland September sale] for Mt. Veeder who won the [Contender S. ] at Los Alamitos [Sept. 13]. I think that middle market is a good place to be for a lot of people. You're not going to fill your barn with 2-year-olds unless you want to pay a whole lot of money, so buy up! Bid high! Bid often!” @JSeverniTDN

Powerhouse Partnership Formed at KEESEP…

A newly formed partnership comprised of Winchell Thoroughbreds, Antony Beck's Gainesway, and agents Alex Solis II and Jason Litt saw off all comers Tuesday to land the first foal out of MSW and MGSP Kid Kate (Lemon Drop), a son of Medaglia d'Oro, for $1.1 million. Lane's End consigned as hip 365.

“He was just a standout from our standpoint,” offered Ron Winchell. “We got together and realized we all liked him and that he was a standout for all of us. That's why we're here.”

Winchell, whose Tapit stands at Gainesway Farm, said the colt will be trained by Steve Asmussen.

“It's always more than you expect, but we were afraid that was where it was going,” Winchell said of the price tag.

“If you go look at the horse, he's an absolute standout physically,” added Solis II. “He's got great scope, a great hind leg for a Medaglia d'Oro. He's exactly you're looking for–you're looking for that Medaglia d'Oro that has the length and the size and that looks fast–and he looks fast.”

The Justice family's Dell Ridge Farm bred hip 365 out of their homebred Kid Kate, a stakes winner at two, three, four and five for trainer Chad Brown. Kid Kate produced a Tiznow colt earlier this year.

“I think this is probably one of the strongest catalogs in at least the last five years,” Solis II said. “It's just good for the market. People are selling good horses and that's what we need–it's a very healthy market.”

Solis II continued, “Everyone wants the best stuff, so you're always going to have to pay a little more than you want to pay. If you want to play at the highest level, and be at Saratoga or Del Mar winning big races, you have to buy the best horses. That's exactly what this horse is, and hopefully we're going to have a lot of fun with him.”

Solis II and Litt, partners in superstar Shared Belief (Candy Ride {Arg}), also act on behalf of Larry, Nancy and Jaime Roth's LNJ Foxwoods. The Steve Asmussen-trained LNJ Foxwoods colorbearer Constellation (Bellamy Road) earned 'TDN Rising Star' status at Saratoga in August before finishing third in the GI Spinaway S. Sept. 5. Winchell homebred Just Wicked (Tapit) took the GII Adirondack S. under the tutelage of Asmussen at the Spa last month. BDiDonatoTDN

Fastnet Filly Rocks Keeneland September….

B. Wayne Hughes's Spendthrift Farm added a fourth progeny from Coolmore stallion Fastnet Rock (Aus) to their stable Tuesday, when general manager Ned Toffey signed the $1 million-ticket on hip 443. The bay filly is out of the Irish Group 1 placed Maryinsky (Ire) (Sadler's Welles) and is a half-sister to European champion filly Peeping Fawn (Danehill) and G1 Criterium International winner Thewayyouare (Kingmambo). Her second dam is

GI Kentucky Oaks winner Blush With Pride (Blushing Groom {Fr}), who produced French group winner Smolensk (Danzig), Irish group winner Turnberry Isle (Ire) (Deputy Minister) and graded stakes winner Better Than Honour (Deputy Minister), the 2007 Broodmare of the Year and dam of Rags to Riches, Man of Iron, Jazil and Casino Drive. Maryinsky has a weanling colt by War Front and was bred back to the Claiborne stallion this spring.

Spendthrift purchased Yallambee Stud in Victoria, Australia this spring to set up Spendthrift Australia, which will breed, buy, stand stallions and race in Australia (for the TDN feature story, click here). They dipped their toe in the Australian sales at the 2014 Inglis Easter Sale where they purchased their first two Fastnet Rock fillies, Cana (Aus) for A$650,000, and Ameristralia (Aus) for A$400,000. Both fillies are in training with Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes and Cana turned in an impressive barrier trial at Goulburn Sunday (video). Spendthrift also purchased another Fastnet Rock filly at last year's Keeneland September Sale. That $450,000 purchase named Cover Song and was seventh in her dirt debut for trainer Carla Gaines at Del Mar July 26.

Toffey explained that the Fastnet Rock fillies already in the stable have encouraged him to purchase another.

“Our familiarity with Fastnet Rock made it an easier pedigree to go strong on,” he said. “We think [Cana is] a big strong filly and John Hawkes has been really positive. We have another Fastnet Rock [Ameristralia] with John that he likes as well, so we're very familiar with the sire and have tremendous respect for him. We're more than happy to take one and go race them.”

Spendthrift is also closely tied to the female pedigree, which was appealing to the operation.

“The female family is so strong and one that we're very familiar with,” Toffey noted. “We have a very good son by Into Mischief named Can the Man [out of Smolensk] that we're standing at stud that's out of this family. His dam is just going out of production, so we're very really excited about getting another part of that family to keep it going–she's been a very good mare for us.”

Fastnet Rock has had a break-out year on the track, in both Europe and Australia. June's G1 Pretty Polly S. heroine Diamondsandrubies (Ire) is bred on the same Fastnet Rock–Sadler's Wells cross as hip 443, and G1 Investec Oaks winner Qualify (Ire) is out of a daughter of Sadler's Wells's son Galileo (Ire).

Fastnet Rock is hot off a group double over the weekend with Turret Rocks (Ire) in the G2 May Hill S. at Doncaster and the following day Torcedor (Ire) took the G3 Enterprise S. at Leopardstown.

There were 10 Fastnet Rocks catalogued for Book 1 of the sale. One will sell Wednesday, and of the seven to make it to the ring, five were sold for a total of $1.790 million, for an average price of $358,000.

Toffey said he wasn't quite sure what the filly would fetch in the ring, but thought the $1 million-price tag was reasonable.

“Being by Fastnet Rock in the U.S. we weren't quite sure where she would be, and where the appraisal would fall, but that's in the ballpark we were looking for,” he offered. “We made one bid and we were lucky enough to get her. It's a little more than we wanted to go, but at the end of the day, just the pedigree alone is darn near worth that. The world is shrinking and I think the industry is going to see that where these horses gain acceptance in both hemispheres and different continents, and I think you're going to continue to see that. I think there's going to be a continued acceptance, a good horse is a good horse.”

As for the market overall, Toffey was very positive. Over the last two days, the operation sold a Malibu Moon colt, hip 66, to Juddmonte for $500,000; a Malibu Moon filly, hip 326, to Niall Brennan for $300,000; and another Malibu Moon filly, hip 41, to King's Equine for $90,000.

“I think [the market has] been great. I think it's been really strong because the money has been spread out really well. There's a lot of good, solid horses here and they're bringing good, solid money. It hasn't been crazy money, I don't think, so it feel like a very healthy, legitimate market to me.”

Toffey also announced that Spendthrift colorbearer Beholder (Henny Hughes) will not be entered in the Keeneland November sale as originally planned. The mare, who recently annexed the GI Pacific Classic, will be aimed for a start in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic next mont.

“The Classic is the plan, but you know this is horse racing so that can change at any time,” he said. @JSeverniTDN

Sikura Familiar with Fastnet Filly's Pedigree…

Having at one point owned Better Than Honour (Deputy Minister), consignor John Sikura is plenty familiar with the catalogue page of hip 443, whose dam is a half-sister to the 2007 Broodmare of the Year.

“She has a million-dollar pedigree,” Sikura said when asked if he thought hip 443, who was bred by Coolmore entity Barnett Enterprises, would bring that kind of money. “She's a great individual from a great family. It's hard to value those kinds… Half of the people in the world say, 'I want that pedigree–I want to have this filly.'”

Sikura had a 30% share in Better Than Honour until majority owner Southern Equine Stables took full ownership of the then 12-year-old following her record $14-million sale at the 2008 Fasig-Tipton November Sale. He bred and campaigned 2013 GI Hollywood Starlet heroine Streaming (Smart Strike), out of Better Than Honour's daughter Teeming (Storm Cat), along with father-in-law Edward McGhee.

“We owned Better Than Honour, and we own Teeming and her daughter, so the family's been great to us, and it was nice to have another representative of that pedigree from a different tale line to offer for sale,” Sikura said. –BDiDonatoTDN

'More' War Front…

Having taken home only the sixth most expensive War Front yearling from day one of Keeneland September, Coolmore's M. V. Magnier went to $900,000 late in Tuesday's second session to secure a regally bred son of the Claiborne stallion.

Consigned by Reiley McDonald's Eaton Sales, hip 431's unraced A.P. Indy dam is out of blue hen Better Than Honour (Deputy Minister), making her a full to the Coolmore partners' GI Belmont S. heroine Rags to Riches (A.P. Indy) and a half to their Breeders' Cup Marathon winner Man of Iron (Giant's Causeway), as well as fellow GI Belmont S. winner Jazil (Seeking the Gold) and Grade II winner Casino Drive (Mineshaft).

Tapit Colt Joins Lane's End Partnership…

A colt by Tapit will join the Woodford Racing partnership headed by Lane's End's Bill Farish after selling for $850,000 during Tuesday's second session of the Keeneland September sale. The yearling (hip 362) is the first foal out of multiple graded stakes winner Keertana (Johar). He was consigned by Denali Stud, which was the name on the ticket when Keertana sold for $1 million at the 2013 Keeneland January sale. The colt's breeder is Bryant H. Prentice III.

“He is a beauitful colt and a really good mover,” Farish commented. “Tapit couldn't be any hotter, so we are thrilled to get one.”

Of the price tag, Farish admitted, “It was a fair price. I was worried that he might go to $1 million.”

The Tapit colt was the third purchase of the September sale for Woodford Racing, which also acquired hip 129, a colt by Distorted Humor for $400,000; and hip 225, a son of Giant's Causeway for $600,000 during Monday's opening session of the auction.

Farish acknowleged bidding during the first two days of the September sale has been competitive.

“They are pretty hard to buy,” he said. “It's been a pretty strong market when you trying to buy. When you're selling, it seems a little spotty. Usually it is that way, though.” @JessMartiniTDN

Big Day for Bodemeister…

Yearlings by first-crop sire Bodemeister (Empire Maker) have been in demand during the first two sessions of the Keeneland September sale, hitting a highwater mark when J. J. Crupi went to $850,000 for a filly by the WinStar stallion.

“Look at that pedigree,” Crupi said of hip 452, who is a half-sister to GI Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird (Birdstone) and to multiple Grade I winner Dullahan, both from the same Unbridled sire line. “We already have three or four Bodemeisters at the farm and we like them. We think he is going to be a sire, we think his horses are going to run. And look at this pedigree. You can't beat that pedigree with a stick.”

The filly, consigned by Betz Thoroughbreds, Inc., agent, was co-bred by Phil and Judy Needham, Bena Halecky, Ben Walden, Jr. and WinStar. Crupi purchased the yearling to race for an undisclosed client.

“I would have liked to get her for around $500,000, but we couldn't resist,” Crupi added.

Earlier in Tuesday's session, Bodemeister had a pair of yearlings sell for $500,000. Hip 347 brought that sum from Robert and Lawana Low, while WinStar's Elliott Walden signed the ticket at that figure on behalf of Maverick Racing and the China Horse Club for hip 360.

Through two sessions of the Keeneland sale, 14 yearlings by Bodemeister have sold for a total of $4,380,000, an average of $312,857 and a median of $345,000.

Walden has been impressed with the early crops of Bodemeister, who was second in the 2012 GI Kentucky Derby.

“There is a lot to come,” Walden said Tuesday. “I think people are really excited about him. I think the 2-year-old guys are going to be looking at him later in the sale.”

Asked what traits he has noticed in offspring of the 6-year-old stallion, Walden said, “They are so athletic and balanced. The way they walk and move–they show class. They are not awkward or gangly. They are well-proportioned and they move like cats. And they have a real good attitude. You never know. He is still an unproven stallion, but we couldn't be happier.”

Walden sees value in working with a young stallion.

“I think the market comes and goes, it ebbs and flows,” he explained. “There is a lot of money to be made with unproven stallions now. You take a horse like Bodemeister at a $35,000 fee and they are averaging $250,000 or $260,000. Union Rags is doing well as well. Five years ago, unproven sire was a bad word. We need new stallions in the business, so it's exciting to see good prospects come along.”

In addition to hip 360, Walden also purchased a pair of colts by Pioneerof the Nile in partnership with China Horse Club. He signed the ticket at $275,000 for hip 272 and at $375,000 for hip 432. The two groups are co-owners, along with Let's Go Racing Stable, of Grade I winner Daredevil (More Than Ready).

“We're excited about that partnership,” Walden said. “We're looking forward to doing some things with them. We are just trying to get it going.” @JessMartiniTDN

Malibu Moon Colt to Shadwell…

Shadwell Estate Company, which secured Monday's $1.45-million session topper, acquired a colt by Malibu Moon for $800,000 during Tuesday's second session of the Keeneland September sale. Out of Lotta Kim (Roar), the yearling (hip 414) is a half-brother to Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra (Medaglia d'Oro), the dam of recent GI Spinaway S. winner Rachel's Valentina.

“He's a lovely colt and a beautiful mover,” Shadwell General Manager Rick Nichols said. “I was watching him out back and he seemed to have a certain air about him. He's got a lot of class. When you look at him, it doesn't take long to figure out what he has right off the bat. Then you try to pick him apart. At the end if you haven't picked him apart then you know he's a nice horse.”

Nichols added the bay colt would likely race in the U.S.

“He could possibly go to Europe, but it's such a dirt pedigree, he'll probably stay here,” he explained.

The yearling was consigned by Gainesway on behalf of his breeder, Dede McGehee's Heaven Trees Farm. McGehee boarded mares for Dolphus Morrison, who bred Rachel Alexandra and raced that champion through her GI Kentucky Oaks victory. Morrison dispersed his horses in 2012, but Lotta Kim was not offered for sale.

“I had mares for Mr. Morrison for 20-plus years and when he dispersed his horses, he made it possible for me to keep her,” McGehee explained Tuesday.

The 14-year-old Lotta Kim has had reproductive issues in the past, producing only five foals since Rachel Alexandra was born in 2006. McGehee is noted for her work with mares with such issues.

“She had some problems, but we have figured out how to work with her and she's been fine,” McGehee said. “They are living breathing creatures and they don't always read the book, but hopefully that will continue.”

Lotta Kim has an unraced 2-year-old colt by Lookin at Lucky and produced a colt by Awesome Again this year. After a late foaling date, the mare was not bred back.

Of Tuesday's sale, McGehee admitted, “I am mixed. I am happy with the sale, but sad to see him go. Ideally, I'd love to be in a position to keep them all and race them, but that doesn't always happen.”

Gainesway's Michael Hernon was pleased with the sale.

“He's a great colt from a great family,” Hernon commented. “He was fairly reserved. He was bought by a good judge. There was a strong underbidder out back in the form of Wayne Hughes of Spendthrift and we're appreciative of him. Could he have brought a bit more? I thought there could have been another bid or two in him, but there was no one to push Rick past that figure.”

Of the September market, Hernon said, “It's still selective. I think it is starting to warm up. I think we're going to be strong tomorrow and then I think you are going to see a huge influx of people come in for Book 2 and 3.” @JessMartiniTDN

A High from the Lows…

Agent Tom McCrocklin, bidding on behalf of veteran Missouri-based owners Robert and Lawana Low, was stretched to $750,000 early Tuesday afternoon for a son of Tapit consigned by Lane's End as hip 331.

The chestnut is out of three-time graded stakes winner and Grade I-placed Indescribable (Pleasant Tap).

“Obviously pedigree–Tapit,” McCrocklin said of the colt's appeal. “He's a beautiful colt. He checked off all our boxes. We thought he was one of the better colts in the sale.”

Soon after, McCrocklin signed on behalf of the Lows for a $500,000 Bodemeister colt. Hip 347, consigned by Gerry Dilger's Dromoland Farm, is out of a full-sister to Grade I winners Spun Sugar (Awesome Again) and Daaher.

The Lows, whose horses are trained by Danny Peitz and Steve Margolis, campaigned 2006 GI Kentucky Derby third Steppenwolfer and 1996 GI Test S. heroine Capote Belle. They went to $800,000 at this sale in 2009 for a Giant's Causeway daughter of Hall of Famer Azeri. Subsequently named Arienza, the Peitz trainee finished second in the 2011 GII Fantasy S.

Don Adam's Courtlandt Farm bred hip 331 in Kentucky, and also bred and campaigned his dam. Indescribable produced another Tapit colt earlier this year.

Courtlandt was also active Tuesday on the buy side, securing two of the pricier lots.

Adam first struck for hip 275, a Distorted Humor filly from the family of GI Kentucky Oaks heroine Secret Status, at $725,000. The chestnut was consigned by Gainesway on behalf of her breeder, Greg Goodman's Mt. Brilliant Farm. Hip 275's dam was a $1.25-million RNA here in 2010.

Shortly before parting with hip 331, Adam added another Tapit colt for $400,000. Consigned to the sale by Taylor Made Sales Agency, Agent XCV as hip 316, the chestnut is out of a half-sister to champion juvenile filly Dreaming of Anna (Rahy), MGSW Lewis Michael (Rahy) and a full to MGSW and GI Breeders' Cup Mile third Justenuffhumor. His winning dam Hearty Laugh (Distorted Humor) was a $150,000 purchase here by Fred Hertrich III and John Fielding in 2011.

An unraced Giant's Causeway half to the above stand-outs produced Grade III winner Cassatt (Tapit), and Dreaming of Anna's daughter Dreamologist (Tapit) was a very impressive maiden winner on the Del Mar turf for LNJ Foxwoods and Richard Mandella Sept. 5.

Hearty Laugh produced a Medaglia d'Oro filly earlier this season. Dreaming of Anna's GI King's Bishop S. runner-up Fast Anna is by the same Darley resident.

Courtlandt's third and final purchase of the day was hip 430, a Candy Ride (Arg) colt consigned by Lane's End who cost $430,000.

Don Adam declined to comment for this story.

–BDiDonatoTDN

Grupo Gets Tapit…

Grupo 7C Racing Stable went to $700,000 to secure a colt by Tapit as hip 418. The Hill 'n' Dale-bred gray is a half-brother to MGSW Thiskyhasnolimit (Sky Mesa) and is out of a half-sister to champion Bernardini (A.P. Indy). Grandam Cara Rafaela (Quiet American) is a Grade I winner, and this colt hails from the family of Love and Pride. Chris Baccari of Baccari Bloodstock stretched to $520,000 to secure this colt as a weanling at last year's Keeneland November sale, making him the highest-priced weanling pinhook in the sale.

“I think he's developed into an even better colt than when I bought him,” Baccari said. “He really grew up well. He has a lot of leg for a Tapit and looks like a real two-turn horse. At the same time, he's an April foal and looks like a horse that's going to keep getting better, not overdone and big and heavy.”

As for the final price, Baccari said, “You know, we're at a sale, so you never know what's going to happen. I think he's a horse who could have brought that and could have brought over a million dollars, easy.”

Baccari consigned two hips during the first two sessions of the sale. Hip 86, a colt by Blame, RNA'd for $290,000 during Day 1. “I think [the market has] been spotty,” he remarked.

Grupo 7C Racing has about 45 horses in its stable and has been racing in the United States for about eight years, but in Venezuela for over 30.

“We liked his pedigree,” said bloodstock agent Raul Acosta, who was seated alongside trainer Gustavo Delgado. “We were looking for a great Tapit.”

The final session of the Keeneland September Book 1 gets underway Wednesday at 11 a.m. After a dark day Thursday, the sale resumes Friday at 10 a.m. @JSeverniTDN