The inaugural Keeneland Championship Sale, an opportunity for owners to acquire top-class racehorses and breeding stock, will be held the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 30, in the paddock at Del Mar, site of the 2024 Breeders' Cup World Championships, Keeneland said in a release on Thursday afternoon.
Participation in the sale is by invitation; buyers and sellers will be contacted individually by Keeneland sales representatives. Interested parties also are encouraged to click here for more information.
“The Keeneland Championship Sale is an opportunity to play at the highest levels of the sport,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “Prospective owners have the chance to enjoy the ride of a lifetime, potentially taking a horse from the sales ring to the Breeders' Cup winner's circle and possibly back to the sales ring, all in less than a week. That's a rare thrill only horse racing can provide.”
Capitalizing on the Breeders' Cup atmosphere, participants will enjoy an exclusive party from the paddock. This event, which will be part of the Breeders' Cup Official Event Calendar, will feature handcrafted cocktails, unique culinary offerings, live music and other surprises.
“The Keeneland Championship Sale is a welcome addition and an innovative concept which further enhances the exceptional experience of the Breeders' Cup World Championships for our participants and international guests,” said Drew Fleming, Breeders' Cup President and CEO. “We are delighted to welcome the Keeneland team as they conduct the Keeneland Championship Sale at Del Mar and look forward to working with them and Del Mar to showcase this very special evening for the Thoroughbred industry.”
The catalog for the event will feature:
- Horses entered in the Breeders' Cup or Breeders' Cup undercard races; may include full sale or fractional ownership interest.
- Bloodstock closely related to contenders in the World Championships.
- Stallion shares or breeding rights in hot sires.
“Keeneland takes its relationship with our customers very seriously; our role is to create the best sales environment possible for buyers and sellers to enjoy success,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “The Championship Sale is an example of the creative offerings Keeneland is excited to provide as we meet the emerging trends in our sport. An eager buyer could join an ownership group and experience the fun of participating in the Breeders' Cup with a world-class contender. Afterward, should their owners choose to do so, those horses in the Championship Sale will have free and preferential entry into Keeneland's November Breeding Stock Sale on Nov. 5.”
“I'm looking forward to a paddock sale in Del Mar during the excitement of the Breeders' Cup,” said SF Racing's Tom Ryan. “I believe that Keeneland will naturally attract a global audience to participate in the event. It will be a great opportunity to showcase established racehorses and hopefully acquire some high-quality race fillies and mares. I've been to several Arc sales and similar concepts around the world, and it does create a little bit of excitement around the potential prospect of buying into a horse who can run in a big event within 72 hours. It creates access to participate in championship events that are very hard to access under normal circumstances.”
Horses may be entered in the Keeneland Championship Sale at any time prior to the auction by contacting the Keeneland sales team, who will provide concierge entry services. Given the sale's proximity to the Breeders' Cup races, all cataloged horses will be offered remotely but will be available for inspection by appointment with the seller in their respective locations. Video of each hip also will be available to prospective buyers.
Buyers must register and be approved for credit in advance. Qualified buyers may bid in person at the sale, online via the Keeneland Sales Portal or by phone with a Keeneland representative.
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