Keeneland sale still keeping momentum

LEXINGTON, Ky. - One day after the 2004 Keeneland November sale surpassed its 2003 total income, buyers Saturday showed they were still ready to bid - and bid high - for breeding stock and weanlings.

The 2004 auction still had a week to go Friday but already had grossed more than last year's total for 11 days. Through Friday's fifth session, the 2004 auction had sold 1,180 horses for $236,323,000, surpassing the 2003 auction's total of $236,070,900 for 2,614 horses. Through day five, the 2004 auction had a cumulative average of $200,274 and a $93,500 median, well up from last season's $179,689 average and $80,000 median.

As of 5 p.m., Saturday's top price was $250,000 for a strapping colt from the first crop by 2002 champion sprinter Orientate. Athens Woods purchased the colt, a son of the winning Ogygian mare Haleys Fury. Taylor Made was the consigning agent.

The top broodmare, $200,000 Gran Senorita, sold minutes before. The 7-year-old El Gran Senor-Hope for a Breeze mare, dam of stakes-placed Gilded Gold, sold to P. F. McCarthy, agent, from the Taylor Made consignment. She is carrying a Gilded Time foal, a full sibling to Gilded Gold.