By Alan Carasso
During the 11th session of the 2021 Keeneland September Sale, Kazakhstan-based bloodstock agent Nadir Khassanov paid $12,000 for a colt by California Chrome–Little Emily (Castledale {Ire}). After nearly running the table in Kazakhstan and Russia, the colt that came to be called Kabirkhan took his show on the road to Dubai over the winter, where he won the G1 Al Maktoum Classic in his second start for trainer Doug Watson. Khassanov was back in Lexington on the hunt for his next diamond in the rough during Friday's opening Book 6 session at the September Sale and accounted for the day's top-priced offering when giving $95,000 for a May-foaled colt by Upstart. He was easily the dearest of six purchases on the afternoon for Khassanov and the most expensive of his 26 acquisitions (for $593,500), all since day eight of the sale.
The dark bay is the second foal out of Amiens (Oxbow), a half-sister to the stakes-placed dam of Canadian multiple graded stakes winner Dragon Bay (Parading) and to the dam of GI Awesome Again Stakes hero Mongolian Groom (Hightail). The multiple Grade I-winning third dam Versailles Treaty (Danzig) produced GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf hero George Vancouver (Henrythenavigator) and Grade II winner Saarland (Unbridled).
Hip 3965 was bred in Kentucky by Wimbledon Farm, who acquired Amiens for $80,000 in foal to Violence at the 2020 Keeneland November Sale. The colt was consigned by Eaton Sales, agent.
Colts accounted for the session's top five priciest horses and nine of the top 11. The session's most expensive filly was hip 4002, who was hammered down to Royal Flush Racing for $70,000. The Jan. 21 foal, who was purchased for $18,000 at this year's Fasig-Tipton Digital April Sale, was consigned to the September sale by Hartwell Farm, agent, and is the first produce for her dam Brewster Flats (Mineshaft), whose stakes-winning granddam Yoursmineours (Belong to Me) produced GSW Shared Property (Scat Daddy) and MSW Whiskey Romeo (Forestry). This is also the female family of 1987 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies and Eclipse Award winner Epitome.
During a session that also featured strong participation from Central American, Russian and Middle Eastern interests–so-called 'emerging markets' that Keeneland has taken pains down the years to pursue–the auction house reported sales on 206 head for $3,568,000, an average of $17,320 and median price of $11,500, representing gains of 5.8% and 4.6%, respectively. With one day of selling remaining, some 2532 horses have sold for record turnover of $409,087,500 (not including post-RNA sales), good for an average of $161,567 and a median of $80,000. The cumulative average price increased by 6.4%, while the median was up by 6.7%.
Are We In Australia?
The crowd gathered in the Keeneland Sales Pavilion must have been confused when they looked at their catalogue and saw that hip 3797 had been foaled on Aug. 19, 2023. Keeneland's Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said that the unusual foaling date was flagged when the Montana-bred yearling–a daughter of first-crop Wheresthemoneyjack (Union Rags) out of Nothinglikegold (More Than Ready)–was entered in the sale.
The filly was bred and consigned by Kairos Stables & Arena, Agent.
“That yearling came from Montana, and quite honestly it was one we flagged early on,” said Lacy. “The sellers were adamant they wanted to do this. We spoke to them about the fact that this was probably going to be a challenge in this marketplace. They were very reasonable people and wonderful to talk to.”
Bidding stalled out at $3,500 and the filly was an RNA.
“It didn't work out but they were very grateful,” said Lacy. “We are here for everyone at all levels and sectors of the marketplace. We wanted to make sure they had the best experience possible. We welcomed them here and they are heading back to Montana. The horse was well cared for, but immature and obviously in this type of market, bred on a Southern Hemisphere timeline, didn't fit in the marketplace. We try not to discriminate. The horse came in healthy and it's not something we can eliminate from the sale.”
Nothinglikegold was one of 21 mares that was covered in the state of Montana in 2022, according to the state fact book on The Jockey Club website. Wheresthemoneyjack is the sire of four foals from his second crop. He has not been represented by a starter to date. —Sue Finley
September Sale finishing strong! Book 6 buyers are here until the last hip. See you tomorrow for one final day! #KeeSept pic.twitter.com/dT6gyMsiqV
— Keeneland Sales (@keenelandsales) September 20, 2024
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