Keeneland Sets November Gross Sales Record

Keeneland established a November gross sales record of $321,774,400 on Tuesday, nine days into the 15-day breeding stock auction.

The milestone, reached when Kimmy Potter, hip 3209, sold for $90,000, eclipsed the previous record of $317,666,000 set during the 1999 November sale.

Kimmy Potter, a stakes-winning three-year-old filly by Broken Vow sold as a broodmare prospect, was purchased by Australian Glenn Burrows. She was consigned by Three Chimneys Sales, agent.

Through nine days, 2,141 horses have grossed $321,774,400, up 7.8 percent from last year when 2,169 horses sold for $298,422,400. The average of $150,292 represents a 9.2 percent increase over $137,585 in 2006. The median of $65,000 remained unchanged from last year.

“We are delighted to break the record with six days left in the sale,” said Geoffrey Russell, Keeneland’s director of sales. “This is a very cosmopolitan sale, and the strength of foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar has made it even more attractive to international buyers.”

On Tuesday, Keeneland sold 268 horses for $8,200,300, an increase of 7.7 percent from 2006 when 248 horses brought $7,615,000. The session average of $30,598 dipped 0.4 percent from last year’s $30,706, while the median rose 2.3 percent from 22,000 in 2006 to 22,500.

Allen Iwinski went to $250,000, the highest price of the session, to acquire Go Swiftly, a two-year-old colt by Gone West sold as a racing or stallion prospect. Out of the Danzig mare Dance Swiftly, Go Swiftly is a half-brother to stakes winner Paiota Falls, and from the family of champion Dance Smartly and stakes winner and sire Smart Strike. He was consigned by WinStar Racing, agent.

The day’s top price for a broodmare was $150,000 paid by L’Ormarins (Pty) Ltd., a South African stud, for the four-year-old Smart Strike mare Full Flavor, in foal to Wando. Consigned by Lane’s End, agent, Full Flavor is a half-sister to stakes winners Knockadoon and Play the Corners.

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

Source: www.horseraceinsider.com