Keeneland day three still strong

LEXINGTON, Ky. - The two-week Keeneland November breeding stock sale ended its third session Wednesday night with mixed results, but the three-day cumulative returns were up from last year's at the same point.

Topped by the $800,000 racing or broodmare prospect Stylish Wildcat, who sold late in the day, the session grossed $42,638,000 for 258 horses. That total was down 5 percent from last year's third day, which sold 274 horses. Median also dropped 13 percent to $130,000. But the average price climbed 1 percent to $165,264.

But the cumulative figures reflected buyers' and sellers' general view that the sale was a strong one in its early days. Through Wednesday, the auction had sold 638 horses, or 4 percent more than last year, for total receipts of $221,137,000, an increase of 14 percent from last year at the same point. The average price was up 10 percent at $165,264, and median was level with last year at $190,000.

Frenchman Florent Couturier, owner of Haras de Bois Carrouges near Normandy, purchased Stylish Wildcat, a 4-year-old Forest Wildcat filly who won the Franklin County Stakes at Keeneland last month. Couturier said he would probably put the filly back in training in the United States but eventually would retire her to his small broodmare band in France.

Bluewater Sales, agent, sold the session-topper.