After posting solid gains on Friday, the Keeneland November breeding stock sale saw its average dip slightly during Saturday's fifth session, despite four horses selling for $250,000 or more.
The young mare Atrea, from the family of outstanding broodmare Get Lucky, became the new session topper Saturday evening as the Keeneland November breeding stock sale continued, with Craig Bernick of Glen Hill Farm signing the ticket on the $435,000 purchase.
Sekmet, a full sister to Grade 1 winner In Lingerie, sold for $310,000 to Besilu Stables on Saturday, establishing a high price for the fifth session of the Keeneland November breeding stock sale midway through the day.
After posting gains in average and median prices Friday, the Keeneland November breeding stock sale opened with solid early figures in its fifth session on Saturday, as nine horses sold for six figures through the first five hours.
Multiple graded stakes winner Aikenite, who was retired in late October because of an ankle injury, will begin his stud career in 2013 at Calumet Farm in Lexington, Ky. A stud fee for Aikenite, a 5-year-old Yes It's True horse, will be announced at a later date. He will become the first horse to stand at Calumet in the Brad Kelley era,
The graded stakes-producing mare Major Wager was the highest-priced mare early as the Keeneland November breeding stock sale continued on its fifth day on Saturday, selling to Eaton Sales for $260,000 to become the early session topper.
After a noticeable cooling off period during days two and three of the Keeneland November breeding stock sale, Friday’s fourth session rebounded with gains on a steady day of selling.
Juddmonte Farms stallion Mizzen Mast, sire of two Grade 1 winners at the Breeders’ Cup, will have his stud fee raised to $15,000 for the 2013 breeding season.
Multiple Grade 2 winner Mission Impazible will be retired by Twin Creeks Racing Stable after his planned start in the Clark Handicap on November 23 at Churchill Downs and will begin his stallion career in 2013 at Becky Thomas’ and Dennis Narlinger’s Sequel Stallions in Hudson, N.Y. A stud fee will be announced at a later date.
Grade 1 winner Bob and John will stand at Highcliff Stallions at Mill Creek in Stillwater, N.Y., for the 2013 breeding season, with a fee to be announced. The 2006 Wood Memorial Stakes winner will continue to stand as a partnership between Magnolia Racing and Pin Oak Stud and will join fellow Magnolia Stable stallion Congaree at the New York farm located near Saratoga Springs.
