$950,000 Uncle Mo colt tops first Book 2 session at Keeneland September sale

LEXINGTON, Ky. – A $950,000 Uncle Mo colt led the way as the bellwether Keeneland September yearling sale opened its Book 2 portion Wednesday, beginning the second week of the sale that will test the strength of the middle and lower markets in North America.

Keeneland reported 185 horses sold during Wednesday's session, the first of two Book 2 sessions and the third session of the sale overall, for gross receipts of $40,861,000. The comparable Book 2 opener in 2019 – which was the fourth session of the sale overall – had 232 horses sold for $55,589,000.

The session's average price was $220,870, down 8 percent from the $239,608 in the comparable 2019 session. The session's median was $180,000, down 10 percent from $200,000. The buyback rate finished at 39 percent; it was 26 percent in the similar session last year, with private sales factored in.

“In a time where there was such uncertainty about how much international participation there would be, we’re really happy with it,” said Keeneland president-elect Shannon Arvin, the company's interim head of sales. “We’ve seen a very diverse base of buyers, and they’re participating in different ways. We continue to have a lot of activity on the Internet – today the most of any day so far with 150 bids and six horses sold.”

The session-topping Uncle Mo colt was purchased by Mayberry Farm. He was consigned by Gainesway, as agent for breeder Three Chimneys Farm.

The colt is the first foal out of the Smart Strike mare Bella Rafaela, an unraced half-sister to Grade 1 winner and successful sire Twirling Candy. They also are half-siblings to Grade 2 winner Ethnic Dance and Grade 3 winner Dubai Sky. Grade 3 winner Chocolate Candy appears on the catalog page.

David Ingordo, who signed the ticket for Mayberry, said he had seen the colt at Three Chimneys a few weeks prior to the sale.

"He is one of the best prospects I saw, and I probably looked 1,500 on the farms before the sale," Ingordo said. “He was my personal top pick. We have Twirling Candy [at Lane’s End], and he looks like the family. This is the horse we wanted to have.”

A pair of colts by leading sire Into Mischief sold for $875,000 each to round out the day's top three prices. They were purchased by bloodstock agent Demi O'Byrne and by bloodstock agent Jacob West, as agent for Repole Stable and St Elias, respectively.

Book 2 wraps up with a second session Thursday. Keeneland September continues through Sept. 25. For full results, click here.