Warrendale Draft Proves Popular at KEESEP Tuesday

Hip 2702, a filly by Warrior's Reward and one of two co-toppers at $325,000, in the ring Tuesday | Keeneland

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A long-standing and successful business relationship between Kitty Taylor's Warrendale Sales and the husband-and-wife team of the late Hargus and Sandra Sexton was front and center during Tuesday's round of bidding at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale. In partnership with Steven and Brandi Nicholson's Silver Fern Farm, the Sextons were responsible for two of the day's top three sellers, hammering to a pair of prominent racing operations.

Owing to the change in the format of this year's September sale, strict year-over-year comparisons are difficult, but statistically, it was another day of substantial gains. The average of $54,635 for the eighth overall session was a 34.6% gain over the corresponding session nine from 2016, while the median price of $40,000 was better by one-third. With gross receipts approaching $289 million, already surpassing the $272.9-million gross from the 2016 September sale, the average of $166,017 represents a hike of 22.5%, with the median a full 25% better than 12 months ago.

The Sextons have long been successful breeders, accounting for the likes of Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile and GI Met Mile winner Corinthian (Pulpit)-in partnership with Ben Walden's Gracefield–as well other Grade I winners Gayego (Gilded Time) and Capo Bastone (Street Boss), the latter with Tom Bozarth and Silver Fern. For Taylor, Tuesday's results were especially satisfying as they come a short time following the passing of Hargus Sexton this past June.

“I am just thrilled to have such a great day selling for the Sextons, who have always been just so loyal to me. It was a very gratifying day,” Taylor said. “I am so happy it worked out for all the parties, especially so soon after Hargus's passing.”

Warrendale consigned the session eight co-topper, a filly by Warrior's Reward–Unbridled Appeal (Unbridled). Hip 2702 was purchased by trainer Mark Casse on behalf of Charlotte Weber's Live Oak Plantation, who over the weekend celebrated the victory of World Approval (Northern Afleet) in the GI Ricoh Woodbine Mile. Casse had a fair bit of familiarity with the family, as he trained the filly's full-sister Unbridled Reward, a $95,000 Keeneland September yearling turned $330,000 OBS March breezer to a 7 3/4-length debut victory and a runner-up effort in the Debutante S.

“Warrior's Reward isn't the kind of sire that is going to have a lot of expensive horses, but she was a beautiful filly with a great deal of presence,” Taylor explained. “Mark Casse is very familiar with the family. He trained the full-sister, who was a nice stakes horse. Hopefully he bought himself another one. It was also very gratifying to see Live Oak buy her. I also sell some horses for Mrs. Weber, so it's fantastic and I wish her very well.”

Warrendale also consigned hip 2442, a Bodemeister filly out of a half-sister to Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint hero Desert Code (E Dubai) that was hammered down to Glen Hill Farm's Craig Bernick for $260,000.

“[The Bodemeister filly] had a very similar profile to the Warrior's Reward, just not quite as mature as the Warrior's Reward,” Taylor said. “I think that Harvey Clarke was the underbidder and he loved her, said she was the pick of the day. She's a big, rangy filly and stood over a lot of ground.”

Glen Hill has signed for five horses, all fillies, for gross receipts of $995,000.

Taylor was pleased with the traffic on the sales grounds and also that both her top sellers Tuesday had landed in the hands of end-users.

“It was very nice to see that,” she said. “It was a very, very busy sale [Tuesday]. There was very good energy on the grounds with lots of people looking. It's great for these breeders to see these horses go to people that will race them.”

Casse also has some history with the Silver Fern. The Nicholsons are also the breeders of the Casse-conditioned Eclipse Award winner Classic Empire (Pioneerof the Nile).

“He knows them and has confidence in their ability to raise a good horse,” Taylor said.

Warrendale was Tuesday's leading consignor by gross, selling 17 head for $1,568,000.

Hess a Chip Off the Ol' Block…

Trainer Bob Hess, Jr. knows when to listen to his father, the veteran horseman Bob Hess, Sr.

“When dad says, 'you need to buy this one,' you pretty much have no choice. We had to have him,” the California-based horseman said.

It was hip 2779, a Betz Thoroughbred-consigned son of Stay Thirsty that was the object of the affections of Hess Senior and Junior, and the younger Hess was happy to land the horse he and his father deemed “the best physical of the sale.”

“We think he's got the pedigree to become a Classic winner,” Hess Jr. said. “He's a very lovely horse. Baffert's got 100 of them, and we've got this one. Hopefully he's the right one.”

Hess Jr. said he bought the horse on behalf of a group he refers to as 'friends and family,' a group of clients for which he has trained for several years.

Hess Jr. echoed the sentiments of many on the grounds over the first eight days of selling, admitting that it's been tough sledding.

“It's been extremely strong, which is very good for the industry, I think,” he said. “We've been trying for the better part of a week and this is the first one we've been able to buy.”

At the end of the day, Hess Jr. would not be denied. “Like I said, dad wanted this horse and we would have kept going if we had to.”

Selling continues with the first of two Book 5 sessions Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. in Lexington. The Keeneland September sale continues through Saturday, Sept. 23. For full results and other information, visit www.keeneland.com.

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