Keeneland November: Honor Code's half-brother brings $2.6 million

A half-brother to multiple Grade 1 winner Honor Code sold to Coolmore's M.V. Magnier for $2.6 million during Tuesday's second session of the Keeneland November breeding stock sale, ranking him among the most expensive weanlings in the auction's history.

The son of War Front was consigned by Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency, as agent. Last year, his half-sister, by Tapit, sold for Bridlewood Farm for $3 million, establishing a record price for a weanling sold at public auction in North America. This colt's price made him the second most-expensive weanling colt ever sold at Keeneland November, behind a $2.7-million son of Montjeu in 2006.

The colt is out of the stakes-winning Storm Cat mare Serena's Cat, whose runners are led by Honor Code, winner of this year's Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap and Whitney Handicap and recently third in the Breeders' Cup Classic. She is also the dam of Grade 2 winner Noble Tune.

Serena's Cat, out of stakes winner Serena's Tune, is a half sister to Group 3 winner Vocalised. The next dam is champion Serena's Song, dam of Group 1 winner and stakes producer Sophisticat, Grade/Group 2 winner and sire Grand Reward, Grade 2 winner and sire Harlington, Grade 3 winner Schramsberg, and stakes-placed winner Arbitrate.

"We've had a lot of luck with Serena's Song, with Sophisticat," Magnier said, adding that the colt would be sent to Coolmore's Ashford Stud in Kentucky while plans are made for him.