Half-sister to Dayoutoftheoffice tops Keeneland December digital sale

Felicita, a 4-year-old half-sister to Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies runner-up Dayoutoftheoffice, sold for $250,000 to lead the Keeneland December digital sale, closing the season in solid fashion for the new platform that is gaining steam.

Keeneland joined the ranks of major auction houses moving into the digital realm this year as the Thoroughbred bloodstock industry grappled with the global coronavirus pandemic. Keeneland had already been exploring creating a digital platform prior to the pandemic, but said its efforts were “expedited” beginning in March when it became clear that the pandemic would have long-lasting impacts, particularly on the auction scene, with many jurisdictions putting restrictions on gathering and travel to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Keeneland unveiled its digital platform, developed with the Kentucky technology company HorseCo, earlier this year, hosting stand-alone digital sales in June, October, and now, December. Online bidding also was integrated into the Keeneland September yearling sale and Keeneland November breeding stock sale, and will continue to play a role in future live auctions.

The single-session December digital sale concluded Tuesday night with 15 horses sold from 65 offered after catalog withdrawals. The sale finished with a gross of $508,000 for an average of $33,867 and a median of $11,000. Although all three stand-alone digital sales have posted high buyback rates in a selective marketplace, perhaps due to the inability to examine horses, particularly young stock, in person, two of the three digital sales have grossed more than $500,000. In addition to Tuesday's sale, the inaugural auction in June grossed $829,500.

Alpha Delta Stables purchased Felicita from the consignment of Taylor Made Sales, as agent. The unraced More Than Ready mare was sold carrying her second foal, to the cover of successful freshman sire Not This Time.

Felicita is out of the winning Indian Charlie mare Gottahaveadream, whose daughter Dayoutoftheoffice won the Grade 1 Frizette Stakes and Grade 3 Schuylerville Stakes in New York this year prior to the Breeders' Cup. This is the family of Grade 1 winners Albertus Maximus, Daredevil, Here Comes Ben, and Race the Wild Wind.

Keeneland's digital platform also has been well-received in its live auctions, accounting for grosses of more than $12.1 million at the September yearling sale, led by an $825,000 colt; and grosses of more than $16.2 million in November. The latter auction achieved a seven-figure online sale, as Grade 1 winner Ollie's Candy sold for $1.65 million to K I Farm of Japan.

Officials have noted that mares, as a proven commodity with racing and/or production records that can be quantified, may lend themselves more favorably to online inspection than young horses with only a physical inspection and pedigree page to go off of.

"We've heard a couple people say they're more comfortable with buying mares on the internet maybe than yearlings," said Shannon Bishop Arvin, Keeneland’s president-elect and interim director of sales.