Keeneland November: Book 3 begins on a positive note

The Keeneland November breeding stock sale shifted into its middle-market Book 3 portion on Saturday, and active bidding at the upper end of that price range kept overall trade steady and cumulative figures running slightly ahead of last year’s sale.

Keeneland reported 257 horses sold for total receipts of $15,538,500 on Saturday, a 3 percent decrease compared with the first Book 3 session in 2013, when 312 horses sold for $15,987,000. The average price rose 18 percent, from $51,240 to $60,461, while the median rose 25 percent, from $40,000 to $50,000.

Saturday’s buyback rate was 21 percent; it was 14 percent at last year’s fifth session.

Trade was especially strong at the top end, as eight horses sold for $200,000 or more Saturday, compared with one at last year’s fifth session.

Four horses sold for $230,000 to tie for the top session price. L D Bloodstock bought a Bodemeister weanling colt out of Grade 1 winner Awesome Humor from the consignment of Taylor Made Sales, agent. Awesome Humor, by Distorted Humor, won the Grade 1 Spinaway along with three other stakes during her racing career and earned over $848,000. She has produced four winners to date, including stakes-placed Keep Me Informed.

Three broodmares each sold for $230,000. Cherokee Jewel, a stakes-winning 11-year-old daughter of Cherokee Run, was bought by Kenny Troutt’s WinStar Farm. She sold in foal to Bodemeister, and has produced two winners to date, led by stakes-winning juvenile Bayerd.

Antony Beck’s Gainesway went to $230,000 to buy Divine Dispatch, a 5-year-old Touch Gold mare who sold in foal to Super Saver. The mare is a full sister to Grade 1 winner Composure and Grade 3 winner Ready Set. Both Cherokee Jewel and Divine Dispatch were consigned by Meg Levy’s Bluewater Sales, agent.

The final mare to tie for the session’s high price, Sweetest Sound, was purchased by Mandy Pope’s Whisper Hill Farm. A 5-year-old daughter of Smart Strike, Sweetest Sound sold in foal to Twirling Candy. She is a full sister to Grade 2-placed Saint Vigeur and a half-sister to Grade 2-placed Sweet Bliss. Her dam, the winning Giant’s Causeway mare Sweet Way, is a half-sister to champion Sweet Catomine, Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic winner Life Is Sweet, and stakes winner Calimonco. Sweetest Sound was consigned by Lane’s End, as agent for Marty and Pam Wygod.

Taylor Made Sales led all consignors by gross on Saturday, moving 40 horses for $2,984,000. WinStar Farm was the leading buyer, with two purchases totaling $440,000. WinStar also spent $210,000 for the 5-year-old broodmare Conkate, a stakes-winning daughter of Exchange Rate in foal to Into Mischief.

Through five sessions at Keeneland, 1,046 horses have changed hands for $166,433,000, a 6 percent increase compared with gross sales at the same point in 2013. The average of $159,123 is up 7 percent, and the median of $90,000 is up 6 percent.

The Keeneland November sale continues daily through Nov. 14, with sessions beginning at 10 a.m. Eastern.

For hip-by-hip results, click here.

Keeneland November breeding stock sale, fifth session results:

Year	Sold	Gross	Average	Median	Buyback
2014	257 (-18%)	$15,538,500 (-3%)	$60,461 (+18%)	$50,000 (+25%)	21%
2013	312	$15,987,000	$51,240	$40,000	14%