by Steve Sherack & J.N. Campbell
DEL MAR, CA – It's not too late to own a Breeders' Cup contender.
The inaugural Keeneland Championship Sale, set to be held in Del Mar's paddock Wednesday evening, will feature 10 offerings (12 were catalogued), including interests in four horses entered in this weekend's Breeders' Cup.
The catalogue includes:
– A 50% ownership interest in impressive GIII Vosburgh Stakes winner and GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile contender Mufasa (Chi) (Practical Joke) (Hip 9). The interest is consigned by I. C. Racing, LLC, agent. He is trained by Ignacio Correas.
-A 25% interest in 2023 GI Frank E. Kilroe Mile Stakes winner and GI Breeders' Cup Turf contender Gold Phoenix (Ire) (Bellardo {Ire}) (Hip 2), consigned by owners Little Red Feather Racing, Sterling Stables and Marsha Naify. The 6-year-old gelding is trained by Phil D'Amato.
-A 25% interest in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf-bound Kilwin (Twirling Candy) (Hip 8), the unbeaten winner of the Untapable Stakes at Kentucky Downs. The interest is consigned by Damian and Braxton Lynch's Royal Oak Farm, agent for owners BBN Racing. The $225,000 Keeneland September yearling is trained by Rusty Arnold.
–Pandora's Gift (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) (Hip 11), a multiple group/graded stakes-placed winner in England and the U.S., who finished third for owner/trainer Stuart C. Williams in the GII Franklin Stakes at Keeneland Oct. 13. She will line up in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint. She is consigned as a racing/broodmare prospect by Stuart Williams Racing.
The auction also includes stallion shares (2.5% fractional interest) in undefeated 2022 Horse of the Year Flightline, consigned by Lane's End Farm as Hip 12; and GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint 7-5 morning-line favorite Cogburn (Not This Time), consigned by ELiTE, agent for Cogburn Syndicate, as Hip 5.
A share in Flightline sold for $4.6 million at the 2022 Keeneland November sale, just two days after his jaw-dropping win in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic. The Lane's End stallion welcomed his first foals this year.
Cogburn set a North American-record time for 5 1/2 furlongs (:59.80) while capturing the GI Jaipur Stakes at Saratoga with a gaudy 111 Beyer Speed Figure. He will be retired to WinStar Farm at the end of the year for the 2025 breeding season.
“It will be an atmosphere at Del Mar where we are looking to break new ground,” Vice President of Sales at Keeneland Tony Lacy said. “We are always looking for innovative ways to create interest and fun with both our current players and those that are looking for a gateway to a more significant level. And we have something for everyone on this spectrum, including a Cogburn share, the 'fastest horse in the world,' as everyone knows. This sale has a really nice blend to it.”
Attendance to the Championship Sale is by invitation or request with both buyers and sellers individually invited to attend. Qualified, registered bidders may participate in person at the event, remotely via Keeneland's online auction platform or by phone with a Keeneland representative.
The Championship Sale event will begin at 5 p.m. PT. The sale will begin at 6:30 p.m. PT. Click here to view the catalogue.
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