International contingents make splash at Fasig-Tipton and Keeneland sales

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The November breeding stock sales typically bring a global marketplace to Lexington by providing the opportunity to acquire high-end racemares and broodmares, including some with internationally known families.

That global appeal has been evident in the past few weeks. Despite a weak yen against the American dollar, a number of prominent Japanese outfits made the annual trip to Kentucky and are returning home with seven-figure purchases. Other international buyers, particularly from Australia, are playing a role in the marketplace, as well.

Several Japanese entities appeared at the top of the result sheet at the single-session Fasig-Tipton Kentucky fall selected mixed sale on Nov. 7, despite an exchange rate of approximately 150 yen to one U.S. dollar as the sale season began. Narvick International, on behalf of Grand Stud, went to $4.2 million for French Group 1 winner Sauterne – from the immediate family of Japanese champion Soul Stirring – to rank as the third-highest price of the sale. Grand Stud also purchased Grade 1 winner And Tell Me Nolies for $2.3 million.

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Among other top-level purchases by Japan at Fasig-Tipton, Northern Farm went to $3.6 million for Grade 1 winner Search Results and $3.2 million for champion Wonder Wheel; K I Farm purchased Grade 1 winner Fun to Dream for $1.9 million; and Shadai Farm went to $1.35 million for Sophia’s Song, dam of Grade 1 winner Bright Future.

Australian interests hinted at Fasig-Tipton that they would have something to say about the sales season. Kia-Ora Stud Australia purchased three horses, led by $1.5 million Bubble Rock, a graded stakes winner by the late shuttle supersire More Than Ready. The partnership of SF Bloodstock and Australia’s Newgate Stud, which competes internationally, also appeared on the sale sheets.

These outfits continued to participate at the Keeneland November breeding stock sale that began on Nov. 8 – and, since that sale tests the middle and lower marketplaces in a way the single-session Fasig-Tipton sale does not, a number of other jurisdictions that value American bloodstock have emerged.

Japan continued to eschew the conversion rate, with more than a half-dozen entities purchasing both weanlings and mares in the upper-market, single session Book 1. Those purchases were led by multiple graded stakes winner Technical Analysis, who sold for $1 million to J.S. Company.

“It [the exchange rate] is not very good for us, but I think the Japanese buyers are being active and trying to get good pedigrees and horses,” said J.S. Company representative Keisuke Onishi.

European entities have also been active at Keeneland – although, somewhat surprisingly, not the Coolmore group, despite the presence on the grounds of principal M.V. Magnier. BBA Ireland’s seven purchases have been led by $2.1 million White Hot, dam of Breeders’ Cup winner Pizza Bianca, the top price among those sold through the ring in Book 1.

An investment group that has roots in Australia and Europe has made a splash with five purchases at Keeneland, led by $1.7 million Book 2 topper Three Witches; the graded stakes winner will continue to race in the U.S. The buying group, which has signed its sale sheets as Rifa Mustang Europe, Limited, has also purchased four broodmares in foal through the Book 3 finale on Nov. 11, led by stakes winner Esplanande, carrying a foal from the first crop of unbeaten champion Flightline, for $600,000.

“I think we bought 16 or 17 thus far for Australia, which is great,” said Barry Bowditch, representing Rifa Mustang, as well as other Australian entities. “Obviously, this is a sale that does Australia very well. The bloodlines have a good outcross, there’s good speed lines for Australia. That’s important. That’s what we’re looking for when we come to America, and we’ve found plenty of it this week.

“I think our market is very strong for breeding stock,” Bowditch continued. “I think finding an alternative market to bid in is important, and America is logical because of the diverse bloodlines, the big catalogs, and the depth of the page here. It just gives us so many options. When you take these mares back to Australia, they do well both breeding and selling well in the sales ring and then succeeding on the racetrack.”

Kia-Ora Stud and the SF-Newgate partnership have also made purchases at Keeneland November. The exchange rate is currently 1.57 Australian dollars to one U.S. dollar.

Among other international entities buying horses, Saudi Arabian interests, who are expected to strongly shop the Keeneland horses of racing age sale on Nov. 17 ahead of the winter racing season, have already been active. Prince Faisal Bin Khaled Bin Abdulaziz’s Najd Stud has purchased 11 horses at Keeneland through the Book 3 finale on Sunday.

Murat Sancal heads Kentucky-based Sancal Racing, but also serves as a buying representative for Turkish interests, a stallion market that has developed in recent years with an infusion of U.S. stock. Sancal’s name has appeared on 10 sale tickets.

The K.O.I.D., a buying arm of the Korean Racing Authority, is typically a leading name in the second week of sales, and that has held true again, with that entity purchasing five weanlings and one broodmare in Book 3.

“We’re seeing that international investment is still here,” said Tony Lacy, Keeneland’s vice president of sales. “The money is still here for the right horses.”

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