$70K colt tops Keeneland session that sees declines

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Shadwell Farm's 4-year-old Medaglia d'Oro colt Iqbaal was the leading light Thursday at the Keeneland November breeding stock sale's 11th session.

Trainer Wesley Ward snapped up the Grade 3-placed winner for $70,000 late in the afternoon to top the session on a day that saw more declines. Iqbaal is out of Storm Cat's daughter Queen's Lady and is from the family of graded winner Jeano and champion Folklore.

The 11th session sold 225 horses for $1,669,900, a dip of 6 percent from last year's gross at the equivalent session. The average price had only a shallow decline, falling 3 percent to $7,422, but the $4,500 median was down 10 percent as compared with last year's day 11 figure.

Cumulatively, through Thursday the 13-day sale had sold 2,650 horses for $145,972,900, resulting in an average price of $55,084 and a $20,000 median. Gross receipts so far are running 7 percent below last year's total to the same point, while the average and median prices are down 13 percent and 17 percent, respectively.

Weanlings, a popular commodity at the auction's recent sessions, remained at the top of the market again Thursday afternoon.

A $50,000 Sharp Humor-Anotherbusride colt was the day's second-highest-priced horse and top weanling. Blandford Stud sold him to Silver Oaks Farm.

The day's top-priced broodmare was $27,000 Sungold Sally, a former Stonewall Farm mare offered through receiver Bluewater Sales. Sarah and Ken Ramsey purchased Sungold Sally, a 7-year-old A. P. Indy mare, who was cataloged in foal to Strong Contender. Sungold Sally is out of the Storm Cat winner Coldheartedcat and therefore is from the family of Caveat, Baltic Chill, After Market, and Tranquility Lake, among others

The sale is to continue through Saturday.