The fifth session of the Keeneland November breeding stock sale closed with steady gains in average and median sale price on Saturday, but a spike in the percentage of horses that finished under their reserves.
A market of ebbs and flows continued to fluctuate on Friday, with significant across-the-board declines closing Book 2 after the section opened on Thursday with gains.
The Keeneland November breeding stock sale rolled into Book 2 with across-the-board gains on Thursday, led by the $650,000 broodmare Easy Feeling.
Triple Crown winner American Pharoah got his first real test in the commercial arena this week, when mares carrying foals from his first crop went through the ring at the major Kentucky fall mixed sales. He passed in solid fashion, as 10 of those mares sold for an average of $440,000.
High expectations for the weanling market at Keeneland November manifested in two youngsters being sold for seven-figure price tags during Book 1.
The elite Book 1 portion of the Keeneland November breeding stock sale displayed continued interest from buyers in high-end offerings, closing on Wednesday with gains in average and median sale price, topped by the $3.8-million broodmare Unrivaled Belle.
Unrivaled Belle will join Mandy Pope's star-studded broodmare band after selling for $3.8 million to take over as the top price at the Keeneland November breeding stock sale during Tuesday's second session.
Citing a healthy respect for the competitive nature of Saratoga's graded stakes program, Tom Ryan, representing SF Bloodstock, signed the $1.7-million sale ticket on Grade 1 winner Paola Queen during Wednesday's second session of the Keeneland November breeding stock sale.
The Keeneland November breeding stock sale started off at a blistering pace on Tuesday, with strong gains across the board led by the $3.5-million Galileo mare Secret Gesture.
Grade 1 winner Celestine sold for $2.55 million to Moyglare Stud to continue a strong opening session of the Keeneland November breeding stock sale.
