Scat Daddy leads all stallions at Keeneland September sale

LEXINGTON, Ky. – A sense of urgency has been apparent this yearling sales season to acquire offerings from Scat Daddy’s final crop. That demand reached a pitch at Keeneland September, propelling the late stallion into position as the marathon auction’s leading sire by gross sales.

Scat Daddy, who was based at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud, was still on the ascent globally when he died of a suspected cardiac event in December 2015 at age 11. Posthumously, he has been represented by the likes of European champion Lady Aurelia and several other Grade 1/Group 1 winners, continuing to fuel the demand for his dwindling supply of remaining young stock. He finished Keeneland September with 51 yearlings sold for total receipts of $17,045,000 – enough to dethrone Tapit, who grossed $16,150,000 from 17 yearlings sold. Tapit had led North America’s bellwether yearling sale by gross for five consecutive years.

Scat Daddy was led by a pair of seven-figure offerings who will head to Europe for their racing careers. Coolmore went to $1.1 million to acquire the Book 2 topper, a colt who will head to trainer Aidan O’Brien’s yard. Coolmore’s M.V. Magnier said the hope was the Scat Daddy colt would turn out to be another Caravaggio, a multiple Group 1-winning son of Scat Daddy campaigned by Coolmore.

“It was a lot of money, but sadly, as you know, we lost Scat Daddy a couple years ago,” Magnier said. “It’s probably one of the biggest losses we’ve ever experienced.”

Bloodstock agent Kerri Radcliffe later struck for a $1 million filly who will go to trainer Jeremy Noseda, with next year’s renowned Royal Ascot meeting as a target.

“This was my favorite horse of the whole sale,” Radcliffe said. “I wasn’t going home without her. This was the best horse of the sale in my eyes. She’s a queen, and hopefully she’ll be in the Queen Mary next year.”

The global Godolphin operation was among the high-end buyers helping to fuel the results, purchasing three yearlings by Scat Daddy for a combined $2 million. The yearlings will later be sorted out between Godolphin’s European and North American operations and its various trainers, but the versatility of Scat Daddy’s progeny – he has Grade 1 winners on both turf and dirt – provides options.

“I thought they were all nice,” said Anthony Stroud, who acted as Godolphin’s main agent. “He’s very good in Europe. He’s an outstanding stallion, he’s done well in Europe and North America.”

Pioneerof the Nile finished third by gross at Keeneland September, with $13,482,000 from 40 yearlings sold. Rounding out the top 10 were Medaglia d’Oro, Curlin, War Front, Into Mischief, Uncle Mo, Candy Ride, and Speightstown.