Inflamed the session topper as Keeneland November wraps Book 5

LEXINGTON, Ky. - The broodmare Inflamed took advantage of a recent catalog update to sell for a session-topping $170,000 on Thursday as the Keeneland November breeding stock sale moves into its final book with a small uptick in average price.

Through five of six books in the Keeneland November sale catalog, making up nine of 12 sessions overall, a total of 2,159 horses have sold, including private sales, for revenues of $196,173,500. To this point last year, through the same nine of 12 sessions and five books, 142 horses had sold for a gross of $193,597,100. The average price at this year's renewal of the sale is currently $90,863, trending upward 1 percent from $90,381.

Keeneland November will conclude with a three-session Book 6, running from Friday through Sunday. Last year's final three sessions consisted of one Book 6 section, followed by a two-day Book 7.

Keeneland reported 263 horses sold on Thursday for revenues of $4,465,300. Those figures resulted in an average price of $16,978 and median of $11,000. Those figures represented declines across the board from the comparable ninth session of the 2018 sale, which had 251 horses sold for $6,443,500, an average of $25,671 and a median of $12,000. The buyback rate on Thursday was 15 percent, compared to 14 percent in the similar session, both outstanding figures in a selective market.

Imflamed, a 9-year-old Unusual Heat mare, sold to Glen Hill Farm, with her price tag fueled by the recent exploits of her first foal, Mo Forza. The Uncle Mo colt won the Grade 2 Twilight Derby on Nov. 2.

“[Mo Forza] is a good horse,” Glen Hill's Craig Bernick said. “The hope is he’ll run in the Hollywood Derby and get some Grade 1 black type, and if he wins, it’ll be great. She’s still a Grade 2 producer.”

Bernick added that he is considering sending Inflamed, who is currently in foal to Tapiture, to the court of leading turf sire Kitten's Joy for her 2020 mating. However, pending Mo Forza's upcoming results, Uncle Mo is also under consideration.

Inflamed, who was consigned by Paramount Sales, as agent, is a full sister to stakes winner Burns and to Grade 1-placed Brushburn.

For hip-by-hip results, click here.