By Christina Bossinakis
Showing continued overall strength through the middle of the market, Keeneland's seventh day of the November Sale extended the upward trend that it had shown through much of the first six days of selling. At the conclusion of Monday's session, gross sales (through the ring) reached $181,460,500, surpassing last year's gross of $176.5 million for the entire nine-day run.
Highlighting Monday's action, a weanling colt by Upstart (Hip 2680) drew a session-topping $155,000 bid from Peter Pugh's Cherry Knoll Farm. A member of the Indian Creek consignment, the Jan. 15 foal is out of unraced Honey Muffin (Candy Ride {Arg}).
Through the opening day of Book 5, Cherry Knoll secured nine head for a total of $1,760,000, including a colt by Life Is Good (Hip 135) for $300,000.
A trio of horses realized 120,000 during Monday's session. Early in the day, a weanling filly by McKinzie out of Shop American (Quiet American) (Hip 2436) achieved the mark, and the very next horse through the ring, Silent Wings (Quality Road) (Hip 2437), equaled the mark. Rounding out the trio, Grade I winner Belle Gallantey (After Market) also brought the same figure from agent Chad Schumer signing on behalf of KGS.
Consistently busy throughout the week, Schumer secured a trio of mares during Monday's session. All three mares were purchased for Libyan-based Khaled Salami's KGS.
“[KGS] are really stepping up their investments here,” said Schumer, the second leading buyer by gross expenditures Monday. “There are a couple of other Libyan buyers here as well. There is quite a bit of racing there and the economy is starting to boom over there. They are ultra-competitive and are really stepping up the quality.”
Offered as Hip 2556, the 15-year-old is out of Revealed (Old Trieste), also responsible for full-sister Revealing Moment, dam of MSW Avana (Vino Rosso). Consigned by Taylor Made Sales, who led Monday as the leading seller, the chestnut was sold in foal to hot sire McKinzie.
“I know she has some age on her, but she is a Grade I winner and she is foal to a stallion that has proven to be a sensation,” said Schumer of Belle Gallantey. “It is a lot to pay for a mare that old, but she is beautiful. She's big and strong. With a cover like that–his fee has been moved to $75,000 and he's flying right now. You just have to pay for them.”
A few hips earlier, Schumer secured Hip 2549, an unraced 5-year-old Arrogate mare out of GSP Jamyson 'n Ginger (Bernardini), for $50,000. Consigned by Warrendale Sales, Arromatic is a granddaughter of Canadian champion 3-year-old filly Ginger Brew (Milwaukee Brew). She sold in foal to Two Phil's.
Also among buys during Monday's session, Grey Calla (Arrogate) (Hip 2666) was purchased on behalf of KGS for $97,000 while in foal to Tiz the Law. Consigned by Paramount Sales, the daughter of Misamerica Bertie (Quiet American) is a half-sister to GSP Carried Interest (Henny Hughes).
Schumer confirmed that all three mares purchased Monday will be sent to the Salami's Libyan base.
Leading Schumer's purchases at Keeneland this past week was Hip 120, Avant, who realized $400,000 in Book 1. Consigned by Four Star Sales, the Uncle Mo mare is out of Enth (Seeking the Gold), also dam of SW and MGSP Sower (Flatter).
“She is a beauty and it is such an incredible family,” explained Schumer. “Sometimes if things aren't on the page, it isn't as apparent. Her third dam is Bound, it's the female family of Sadler's Wells. Nureyev, Blame etc. It's just one of the best families in the Stud Book. You just couldn't buy into a better family.”
Also bidding for KGS, the Schumer team added Hip 2094, a daughter of GI Breeders' Cup Distaff winner Unbridled Elaine (Unbridled's Song). A daughter of Tapit, Valencia was sourced from the Godolphin consignment for $95,000. Already responsible for GSWs Etched (Forestry), Emotionless (Shamardal) and Out of Bounds (Discreet Cat), the grey was sold in foal to Enticed.
While principally shopping for mares, Schumer also bought a pair of weanling fillies-Hip 1857, by McKinzie in addition to Hip 2233, by Vino Rosso. The former was consigned by Brookdale, while the latter was offered by Grovendale Sales. Schumer also purchased a Highly Motivated colt (Hip 2357) for $3,000 Monday, signing as Mary, Matt & Chad.
According to Schumer, all three weanlings will head overseas, including the sole colt in the group who will be pinhooked in Europe.
“We sold and bought in this weanling market and I think it is particularly strong,” he said when asked about this year's sale. Very robust here at Keeneland. As was the sale in October at Fasig-Tipton. The depth of demand is there.”
Through seven sessions at Keeneland, Schumer signed for 25 head for total expenditures of $1,486,000.
“We bought anywhere from $400,000 down to $3,000, so we are playing at all levels,” he said. “It really gives you a lot of insight to the market. I think the past two days were very strong. We bought a lot, but we have been outbid far more. A couple of the clients I have been buying for have been shut out. The clearance rate has been very good [the past two days], which really gives a broad look at the market.”
At the conclusion of the Book 5 opener, a total of 283 horses, including post sales, generated $8,571,600, increasing $7,260,000 one year ago. Average for the group increased to $30,448, up 17% from 2023, while median rose 21% to $23,000.
Gross expenditures through seven sessions topped $190,317,000 (including post sales), rising from $183,056,500 last season.
The RNA rate through the ring Monday was 15.2%, rising from 13% in 2023. Cumulative RNAs dipped from 500 to 471 this term.
Selling resumes Tuesday at 10a.m.
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