Keeneland sale: Four Gifts, Mighty Caroline lead the way early at $300,000-plus

Two Grade 3-winning broodmares sold for prices in excess of $300,000 to pace the action during the first three hours of Friday's fourth session of the Keeneland November breeding stock sale.

Four Gifts, consigned by Indian Creek, agent, led the way early, with Barry and Judith Becker going to $340,000 to acquire the mare. Just behind was Mighty Caroline, purchased by Adena Springs Farm from the consignment of Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales Agency for $330,000.

Four Gifts, a 6-year-old Even the Score mare, was offered in foal to Hard Spun. The mare won the Grade 3 Delta Princess Stakes as a juvenile, then returned the following spring to take the Grade 3 Eight Belles Stakes at Churchill Downs. Four Gifts is out of the Service Stripe mare Agiftfromservice, who is a full sister to Grade 1 winner Cashier's Dream.

Mighty Caroline, a 3-year-old Stormy Atlantic filly, won two of her three starts last year, including the Grade 3 Sorrento Stakes at Del Mar, before a suspensory injury ended her racing career. The filly was offered in foal to Lonhro.

Mighty Caroline is out of the Maria's Mon mare Mighty Renee, who has produced two stakes winners from as many foals to race. In addition to Mighty Caroline, the mare is the dam of Renee's Queen, who won the Oak Tree Juvenile Fillies Turf Stakes this year.