Market Holds Strong At Keeneland November Sale

Cumulative gross and average figures increased more than 10 percent each at the end of Thursday’s session of Keeneland’s November Breeding Stock Sale, which was highlighted by the sale of Countess Gold for $850,000.

Through four sessions, Keeneland has sold a total of 875 horses for gross receipts of $249,325,000, up 10.3 percent over the corresponding period in 2006 when 873 horses were sold for $225,978,000. The average of $284,943 increased 10.1 percent over the $258,852 recorded in 2006, while the median of $150,000 dipped 3.2 percent from last year’s $155,000.

On Thursday, Keeneland sold 237 horses for $28,188,000, down 10.9 percent from 2006 when 257 horses brought $31,626,000. The average of $118,937 was down 3.3 percent from last year’s figure of $123,058, while the median rose 5.6 percent to $95,000 compared to $90,000 in 2006.

“The sale was strong all the way to the end today,” said Geoffrey Russell, Keeneland’s director of sales. “High quality foals sold very well. There is still plenty of money around.”

Frankfort Park Farm went to $850,000, top price of the session, for the eight-year-old Mt. Livermore mare Countess Gold, in foal to Eurosilver. Out of the stakes-winning Mr. Prospector mare Art’s Prospector, Countess Gold is the dam of Richmond Stakes (G2) winner Strike the Deal. She was consigned by Denali Stud, agent for Five-D Thoroughbreds LLC.

“We had seen Strike the Deal and thought he was a good looking horse,” said Irish bloodstock agent Brendan Gallagher, who signed the ticket on behalf of his Frankfort Park Farm. “We’ll probably cover her here (in Lexington) and think about sending her to Europe after that.”

Bandstand, a four-year-old mare by Deputy Minister, in foal to Eddington, brought the day’s second-highest price of $520,000 from Seth Semkin, racing manager for B. Wayne Hughes.

“She fits the profile,” Semkin explained. “She’s shown talent on the racetrack; she’s good-looking; and she’s by Deputy Minister, who has become a popular broodmare sire.”

Out of Oak Leaf Stakes (G1) winner City Band, by Carson City, Bandstand is a half-sister to stakes winners Weather Warning and Foolishly. She was consigned by Eaton Sales, agent for Overbrook Farm.

A colt by Broken Vow out of the Tabasco Cat mare Tango Passion was purchased by Chesapeake Partners for $460,000, the top price of the day for a weanling. The colt was consigned by Blandford Stud, agent.

Keeneland’s November Sale continues through Monday, November 19. Sessions begin at 10 a.m. daily.

Source: www.horseraceinsider.com