Keeneland January: Figures plunge in third session

After posting competitive results through the first two sessions, returns at the Keeneland January horses of all ages sale plummeted across the board on Wednesday as the auction moved into Book 2.

A total of 242 horses sold during Wednesday’s session for revenues of $4,074,300, marking a 32 percent decrease in gross from 2014, when 246 horses brought $5,953,300 during the sale’s third session.

The average sale price on day three finished at $16,836, down 30 percent from $24,200 during the same session last year, while the median dipped 45 percent from $15,000 to $8,250. The buyback rate went unchanged, holding at 21 percent

A yearling Into Mischief colt topped the session, selling to J. S. B. Stable for $150,000.

The bay colt is the first foal out of the winning Cherokee Run mare Cayala, and his extended family includes Grade/Group 1 winners King Charlemagne, Albertus Maximus and Daredevil. The colt was bred in Kentucky by Kingswood Farm, which also consigned the yearling as agent.

Unraced broodmare prospect Our Gal El topped the broodmare portion of the session and drew the day’s second-highest price, going to Cobble Drive Stables for $145,000.

The 4-year-old Tapit filly is out of the winning Dehere mare Shop Here, whose four winners from seven foals to race include Grade 2-placed stakes winner Fifth Avenue and stakes-placed Shoptate. Our Gal El’s page also includes Grade 1 winners Miss Shop and Power Broker, as well as Grade 2 winners Trappe Shot and Lay Down.

Our Gal El was bred in Kentucky by Gainesway Thoroughbreds Ltd. and was consigned as agent by Claiborne Farm. She sold for $275,000 at the 2012 Keeneland September yearling sale.

Taylor Made Sales Agency was the session’s leading consignor, with 42 horses sold for a combined $700,600. Leading the group was Bromelia, a placed Unbridled’s Song mare and half sister to Hong Kong champion Good Ba Ba, sold in foal to Alternation to Machmer Hall and Haymarket Farm for $90,000.

Bloodstock agent Chad Schumer was the session’s leading buyer, with six purchases totaling $156,000. Schumer’s biggest purchase for a client was Eau de Vie, a winning Hennessy mare and half sister to Grade 3 winner Sharp Sensation, sold in foal to Midnight Lute for $40,000.

After three days of selling, a total of 694 horses have changed hands for revenues of $31,872,700, down 13 percent from this point in 2014 when 754 horses brought $36,462,400 by the end of the third session.

The cumulative average sale price is $45,926, down five percent from $48,359, while the median has 10 percent, from $25,000 to $23,000. The buyback rate is up, from 21 percent to 27 percent.

The fourth and final session of the Keeneland January sale commences Thursday at 10 a.m. Eastern.

For complete sale results, click here.

Year	Sold	Gross	Average	Median	Buyback
2015	242 (-2%)	$4,074,300 (-32%)	$16,836 (-30%)	$8,250 (-45%)	21%
2014	246	$5,953,300	$24,200	$15,000	21%