Six-figure mares lead the way in Book 3 opener at Keeneland November

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Two mares sold for $310,000 each to lead the way as the Keeneland November breeding stock sale moved into its Book 3 portion.

Saturday's session, the fourth of the sale overall and the first of two in Book 3, grossed $14,801,200 from 266 horses sold, according to Keeneland statistics that included private sales occuring on the grounds prior to the close of the session. Last year's comparable Book 3 opener sold 264 horses for $17,541,000.

The session's average price finished at $55,644, a 16 percent decrease from $66,443 in the comparable session in 2018. The median was $44,000, a change of 15 percent from $52,000.

Both of the session-leading broodmare sold carrying foals by stallions who entered stud in 2019. Ultimate Cause sold in foal to Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile and Pegasus World Cup winner City of Light, by Quality Road. Green Lantern Stables, with Patrick Masson as agent, purchased the winning Giant’s Causeway mare from the consignment of Bluewater Sales, as agent.

Ultimate Cause, who is carrying her first foal, is out of the stakes-winning Empire Maker mare Supreme, from the family of Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos.

Stone Farm went to the same $310,000 sum for Ducru, a daughter of Broken Vow consigned by Runnymede Farm, as agent. The mare sold in foal to Curlin’s classic-placed champion Good Magic for what will be her second foal.

Ducru is out of the stakes-placed Dixie Union mare Union City, making her a half-sister to Grade 2 winner Unified. She is from the family of Grade 2 winner Dixie City and stakes winners Win the War and Blue Chipper, the latter recently third in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.

For hip-by-hip results, click here.