A CURLIN full-brother to multiple Grade 1 winner Clairiere sold for $5 million to Mandy Pope’s Whisper Hill Farm to headline Tuesday’s tremendous day of trade at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale. The price is the highest paid for a colt since Meydan City sold for $11.7 million in 2006.

Sixteen yearlings brought seven-figure prices on Tuesday, the final session of the two-day Book 1 catalogue, driving healthy increases in gross, average and median. “The energy in the building today was from another era. It was incredible,” Keeneland vice president of sales, Irishman Tony Lacy, said. “We knew we had a really good crop of yearlings. As the new sales team came along, we were trying to solidify this format. It’s still hard to get buy-in. People want to see facts and figures.

“We’ve been breaking records every year, but it still wasn’t enough. What gave us so much pride today was that the people who entrusted us with their horses got rewarded, and buyers trust we are giving them the opportunities to buy the next champion.”

Consigned by Indian Creek, agent for Stonestreet Bred & Raised, the week’s top-priced colt is out of Grade 1 winner Cavorting. “He should be the sale topper because he’s the best horse in here,” Pope said, “and we pretty much knew everybody was going to want to be buying him. You can’t be faint of heart in this at all.”

Stonestreet’s Barbara Banke added: “He eats like a pig. He sleeps. Nothing fazes him. I think he will be a great racehorse. I have high hopes for him. I was expecting him to be the sale topper.”

The top-price of the week was some way ahead of Tuesday’s second-best lot. Summerfield, acting for Stonestreet Bred & Raised, consigned this $1.75 million seller, a colt by Into Mischief who is a half-brother to Grade 1 winner and sire Girvin.

He was purchased by Monique Delk, who signed the ticket for St. Elias Stable. “You have to expect to pay those kinds of prices for those sorts of horses” she said.

A filly by Into Mischief out of Grade 1 winner Shared Account, who is a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Sharing, sold for $1.5 million to David Lanigan and Ted Durcan, acting for Cindy Heider. She was consigned by Gainesway. Lanigan, who signed the ticket, said: “We all liked her. We had [trainer] Brendan Walsh down to have a look at her. She was his pick of the first group that we showed him.”

Sale opens with double-digit growth

THE opening day of Keeneland’s 2024 September Yearling Sale featured the sale of 14 horses for $1 million or more. The session’s best was a colt by Gun Runner who sold for $2.2 million to Mandy Pope’s Whisper Hill Farm.

Out of the stakes-winning Tapit mare Princesa Carolina, the colt was consigned by Four Star Sales for breeders Three Chimneys Farm. “He’s an amazing horse,” Todd Quast of Whisper Hill said. “He’s got everything. We do a lot with Three Chimneys, so we know he was raised right.”

“We brought the right horse, by the right stallion, out of the right mare, with the right physical,” Chris Baker of Three Chimneys said. “You just hope on the day that everyone else likes them as much or more than you do.”

A filly by Gun Runner, and a half-sister to unbeaten juvenile stakes winner Dreamaway, sold for $1.5 million to Douglas Scharbauer. She is out of Grade 1 winner Dream Dancing, by Tapit, and from the family of champion Beautiful Pleasure. Scharbauer remarked: “I didn’t know what she’d bring. I’m really a little surprised I could get her for a million and a half.” The filly, bred by John Oxley, will be trained by Steve Asmussen.

Hill ‘n’ Dale at Xalapa consigned a colt by first-crop sire Charlatan who sold to M.V. Magnier and Peter Brant’s White Birch Farm for $1.4 million. Out of Grade 1 winner Guarana, he is from the family of another Grade 1 winner in Pleasant Home.

“He is a nice horse,” Magnier said. “His mother was a very good race filly, so let’s hope he’s as good as his mother.”

John G. Sikura of Hill ‘n’ Dale said the colt “was a magnificent horse. They love the Charlatans and Guarana was a supremely talented racehorse. He’s going to a great home in Coolmore and I hope he is a superstar for them.”

Amo stocking up on quality fillies

AMO Racing USA paid $1.35 million for an American Pharoah filly who is a full-sister to the Grade 2 winner Forbidden Kingdom. Consigned by Paramount Sales, she is out of Grade 3 winner Just Louise.

Kia Joorabchian was happy with the purchase: “We are looking for fillies with great pedigrees, and she was a standout for us, so we weren’t going to stop. We will give her a little bit of time off.” Paramount’s Pat Costello added: “She has a great mind. That was a good price.”

A Medaglio D’Oro full-brother to the brilliant Rachel Alexandra also sold for $1.35 million to Epic Horses LLC, and was consigned by Hill ‘n’ Dale at Xalapa. He is out of stakes winner Lotta Kim, and from the family of Grade 1 winner Rachel’s Valentina. Shannon Potter, CEO of Town and Country Farms, revealed that the colt will join Todd Pletcher.

Potter said. “Epic Racing is a new venture, and we are excited to have him. It is a couple from Vegas. They are excited about the game and the business and the industry. This is their first purchase at auction.”

Mitsu Nakauchida paid $1.25 million for a colt by Into Mischief consigned by Lane’s End. Out of the Grade 2-winning Curlin mare Point Of Honor, he is from the family of Grade 1 winner Wicked Whisper. Shadwell Farm spent $1.2 million on a Tapit filly consigned by Clearsky Farms. She is the first foal out of the winning Into Mischief mare Immediate Impact, a half-sister to Arrogate.

Two horses sold for $1.15 million each. Becky Thomas, agent for Chester and Mary Broman, paid that amount for a colt by Gun Runner out of Grade 1 winner Harmonize, by Scat Daddy. This half-brother to Grade 2 winner Integration was part of a draft from Brookdale.

Thomas said: “He was big, beautiful, stretchy, and we loved his family and we loved his walk. Mr. Broman wants to go to the Kentucky Derby, and we thought he looked like the type.”

Donato Lanni, agent for SF/Starlight/Madaket, paid the same for a Nyquist colt consigned by Candy Meadows Sales, and out of Impasse, a winning daughter of Quality Road. Tom Ryan of SF Racing said: “We like Nyquist. He doesn’t take any introduction anymore.” The colt will join Bob Baffert.

Make My Day lives up to his name

REPOLE Stable and Spendthrift Farm purchased the Gun Runner colt Make My Day, a half-brother to Grade 2 winner Imagination, Grade 3 winner Occult and stakes winners Exulting and Magical, for $1.1 million. Consigned by Bridie Harrison for Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds, he is out of Grade 2 winner Magical Feeling, and from the family of Grade 1 winners Dream Tree and Golden Ticket.

“Gun Runner doesn’t really need an introduction,” said Jacob West, agent for Repole. “Peter Blum breeds incredible horses. Mix it all in the pot, and it equals $1.1 million.” Todd Pletcher will train the colt.

North Hills Company spent $1.05 million on a Quality Road filly out of Rachel Alexandra’s Grade 1-winning daughter, Rachel’s Valentina. She was consigned by Francis and Barbara Vanlangendonck’s Summerfield on behalf of Stonestreet Bred & Raised.

Three yearlings brought $1 million on the day. A filly from the first crop of Maxfield, and a half-sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Randomized, sold for that amount to Resolute Bloodstock. Consigned by Four Star Sales, she is from the family of Grade 1 winner Got Stormy.

“We like Maxfield, and think he’s going to be a good stallion,” Resolute’s John Stewart said. “When we rank it in our pedigree system and looking at the horse overall, she’s an A+ and was on the top of our list.”

Juddmonte acquired a colt by Constitution for $1 million. Consigned by Airdrie Stud Raised and Offered, he is out of stakes winner Indian Pride, and from the family of Canadian champions Biofuel and Tu Endie Wei. Juddmonte’s Garrett O’Rourke said: “More than we wanted to pay but that is the market. You have to go, or you go home empty handed.”

“A million dollars does not happen to us very often,” Bret Jones of Airdrie said. “There is no greater compliment than Juddmonte buying your horse.”

The third yearling to sell for $1 million was a daughter of Gun Runner who sold to Krista Seltzer. Taylor Made Sales Agency consigned the filly, who is out of stakes winner Lucrezia, by Into Mischief.

Class, power and breeding add up

SPENDING $1.4 million on Tuesday, Bradley Thoroughbreds purchased a Curlin colt consigned by Lane’s End for Blue Heaven Farm. Out of the stakes-placed Distorted Humor mare Virginia Key, he is from the family of Grade 1 winners Grace Adler and Bullsbay.

“Class, sire power, comes from a very good breeder: it’s what we look for here, and you have to stretch for those,” Pete Bradley said. “This horse was all class from the moment I saw him down in the Lane’s End barn. He came up here and presented himself like a horse who has a future.”

Two horses each brought $1.3 million during Tuesday’s session. M.V. Magnier and White Birch Farm paid that for a colt by Curlin out of Grade 2 winner Thoughtfully, by Tapit. Consigned by Hill ‘n’ Dale at Xalapa, he is from the family of Grade 1 winners Furlough, Dancing Spree and Fantastic Find. “It’s been a good sale,” Magnier said. “We’ll know this time next year if we made the right decision.”

The second yearling to sell for $1.3 million was a colt by Not This Time consigned by Glennwood Farm, and sold to Belladonna Racing, with Cherie DeVaux as agent. He is out of Grade 2-placed winner Vivo Per Lei, from the family of Grade 1 winer First Samurai. “He was on the top of our list, so we’re very happy to have him,” Paul Manganaro of Belladonna said. “He’s by a good proven stallion, young pedigree, and has physique.”

A daughter of Curlin who is a half-sister to champion Nyquist sold for $1.2 million to Amo Racing USA. Consigned by Hinkle Farms, she is from the family of Grade 1 winner Sahara Sky. The filly is the third million-dollar seller at the September Sale produced by Seeking Gabrielle.

“That was a great sale. We’re delighted,” Tom Hinkle said. “I hope these folks get a champion. We have a two-year-old filly that’s a full-sister to Nyquist that we kept, and we have a weanling filly by Constitution.” Ben McElroy signed the ticket. Hinkle Farms consigned a colt by Constitution purchased by Yuichi Fukanaga for $1.1 million.

Mayberry Racing went to $1.2 million for a colt by Constitution consigned by Runnymede Farm. He is from the family of Grade 1 winners Magnum Moon, Harmony Lodge and Pinehurst. Roman Malhouitre of Runnymede said: “We knew we had the right people on him. He’s been unbelievable at the farm and at the sale he was so calm. It’s great for the team.”

Donato Lanni, agent for SF/Starlight/Madaket, paid $1.15 million for a Not This Time colt consigned by St George Sales. Out of stakes winner Believe In Charlie, he is from the family of Grade 1 winner Nany’s Sweep. Windancer Farm Holdings spent $1.05 million on a Gun Runner filly who is a full-sister to Grade 1 winner Cyberknife. Consigned by Gainesway for Stonestreet Bred & Raised, she is out of stakes winner Awesome Flower.

Irish buyers and sellers shine

M.V. MAGNIER and White Birch Farm purchased a colt by Not This Time out of the stakes winner Stillwater Cove, consigned by Woods Edge Farm, on Tuesday.

“He is a beautiful animal,” Peter O’Callaghan of Woods Edge said. “He was a stunner the day we bought him [$375,000 at Keeneland in November]. Luckily, he grew up as expected. He’s out of a fast mare. He’s just a killer individual by an elite sire who’s having a tremendous year. It all has to add up.”

Woods Edge Farm sold another colt for $1 million, a son of Justify purchased by CHC Inc., Maverick Racing and Siena Racing. He is from the family of Canadian champion Negligee and Horse of the Year Zilzal. “We bought him in January [at Keeneland] for $400,000, so that’s a big return in a short period of time,” O’Callaghan said. “In our opinion, he was arguably the best foal in the January Sale. It worked out.” “It’s tough to buy in there,” Elliott Walden of WinStar, who signed the ticket, added.

Magnier also acquired a million-dollar yearling, a colt from the first crop of Maxfield and a half-brother to champion and Grade 1 winner Up To The Mark. Consigned by Gainesway, he is from the family of Grade 1 winner Capote Belle.

Mitsu Nakauchida acquired two seven-figure yearlings on Tuesday. The first was a colt by Into Mischief consigned by Candy Meadows Sales, and from the family of 2024 Grade 1 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes winner Zandon. His second purchase was an Uncle Mo colt supplemented to the sale and consigned by St George Sales.

Tapit and Gun Runner tie for the top

KEENELAND’S September Yearling Sale recorded across-the-board increases during Wednesday’s third session and posted the sale of three seven-figure horses, led by a Tapit colt and a Gun Runner filly who each sold for $1.05 million.

The total number of yearlings who brought $1 million or more during the first three days rose to 34, the highest since 2005. This includes a Curlin filly offered in Tuesday’s session and sold for $1.2 million by way of a private sale.

“There was great positivity around the grounds,” Keeneland’s Tony Lacy said. “Consignors were very pleased, and buyers found it very tough in a competitive environment. Today, 47 horses sold for $500,000 or more, up from 39 recorded on day three last year. That is consistently above the mark.”

Donato Lanni, agent for SF/Starlight/Madaket, paid $1.05 million for a colt by Tapit out of the Grade 3-winning Tale Of Ekati mare Verve’s Tale. Consigned by Hunter Valley Farm, he is from the family of Grade 1 winners Zoftig, Zo Impressive and Zaftig.

“You never know if you’re going to get to a million or not,” Adrian Regan of Hunter Valley said. “I think there were only 70 or so Tapit yearlings in this crop, so there are not many of them anymore.” The colt was bred by Charles Fipke.

A filly by Gun Runner from the family of Breeders’ Cup winners Structor and More Than Real sold to Douglas Scharbauer for $1.05 million. She was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency. Scharbauer said: “I was hoping I would get her for less than a million dollars, but I can see why she brought that. I’ve bought five fillies so far.

“There were a couple of colts we bid on, but they went for too much money.”

Jim and Dana Bernhard’s Pin Oak Stud went to $1 million to purchase a colt from the first crop of Charlatan out of Grade 1 winner Midnight Lucky. Consigned by Hill ‘n’ Dale at Xalapa, he is from the family of Grade 1 winners Hookedonthefeelin, Pussycat Doll, Aquaphobia and Jimmy Creed.

“I want to thank Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman for their support,” John G. Sikura of Hill ‘n’ Dale said. “They committed a Grade 1 winner to a freshman sire. Charlatan was a superstar, and he has certainly sold well in the market.”

Momentum carries through to Thursday

CHC INC., Maverick Racing and Siena Farm paid $1.3 million for a colt by Nyquist, and John Stewart’s Resolute Bloodstock paid $1.2 million for a son of the same stallion, to lead Thursday’s fourth session of the week, and increase the total number of horses to bring a million dollars or more to 36.

Books 1 and 2 contained more than 1,100 horses, and the format was to offer the largest number of quality horses before the sale took a one-day hiatus on Friday. At the close of week one, 640 horses have grossed $252,528,000, an increase of 8% from last year. The average of $394,575 was up 7%, while the median of $300,000 remains unchanged.

Thursday’s session topper is out of Spa Treatment, a winning daughter of Bernardini, and from the family of Grade 1 winner Joe’s Tammie. He was consigned by Blake-Albina Thoroughbred Services. “Nyquist over Bernardini is a great cross,” Elliott Walden of Maverick Racing said. “He’s a beautiful horse, one of our favourites of the sale. We were very bullish on him. Book 2 has been very strong, and it’s a competitive market for the good horses.”

“He was always a beautiful colt, and we felt like Book 2 would suit him better: He would stand out,” consignor Ron Blake said. “He is first class, and the buyers could see that. It’s always hard to get those kinds of numbers.”

Resolute Bloodstock paid $1.2 million for a colt by Nyquist from the family of Grade 1 winners Sydney’s Candy and Exchange, consigned by Indian Creek. John Stewart said. “There is nothing but upside there. Then the physical of the horse; it was our top colt for the day.”