Keeneland January sale: Mahkama brings $145K as bidding slows in fourth session

Although the pace slowed during the fourth day of the Keeneland January horses of all ages sale, the session did manage to produce a six-figure horse while last year's fourth day did not.

Mahkama, a broodmare prospect, topped the session through midafternoon at $145,000, secured by Blandford Bloodstock.

The 4-year-old Bernardini filly won one of eight starts during two seasons of racing in England for earnings of $7,629. She is out of the winning Rahy mare Rahy Rose, who has produced five winners from as many to race, including Grade 3 winner Summer Raven, who in turn produced Grade 3 winner Winslow Homer. Mahkama is from the family of Grade 1 winner and sire Wild Rush.

Bred in Kentucky by Mt. Brilliant Farm, Mahkama was consigned by Brookdale Sales, agent.

This was the second time that Mahkama had sold at public auction, previously bringing $270,000 at the 2010 Keeneland September yearling sale. She is the third-highest-priced foal out of Rahy Rose, most notably behind Summer Raven, who brought $1.7 million at the 2009 Keeneland November breeding stock sale.

The highest-priced yearling through the early part of the fourth session is a $75,000 Malibu Moon colt, who sold to Santee Stables for $75,000.

The bay colt is out of the Kingmambo mare Moonstar, who is the dam of two winners from three to race, including Grade 1 winner Miss World. His other notable family members include Australian champion Miss Finland, Group 1 winners Doyen and Moonshell, Grade 2 winner Shining Steel, and Group 3 winner Moon Cactus.

Bred in Kentucky by Castleton Lyons and Kilboy Estate, the colt was consigned by Paramount Sales, agent.

Through the first five hours of Thursday’s session, a total of 147 horses sold for total receipts of $1,836,600. The average sale price of $12,494 is on pace to finish 13 percent behind last year’s fourth session average of $14,311, while median trails by 29 percent, dropping from $8,500 to $6,000.