Two seven-figure weanlings at Keeneland November

High expectations for the weanling market at Keeneland November manifested in two youngsters being sold for seven-figure price tags during Book 1.

The weanling market was topped by a War Front colt out of the Australian-bred Encosta de Lago mare Drifting Cube, who sold to the Coolmore partnership for $1.45 million. The price tied for the sixth-highest for a weanling colt in Keeneland November history.

“He comes from one of the best Australian families,” said M.V. Magnier, who signed the ticket.

He added that Coolmore had “a lot of success” with Rubick, a Group 2-winning full brother to Drifting Cube.

“He was one of the fastest 2-year-olds of his crop down there,” Magnier said of Rubick.

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Magnier called the War Front colt “a very good mover with a lot of quality. ”

The colt is from the family of Group 1 winner and top international sire Redoute’s Choice, as well as Group 1 winners Hurricane Sky, Umatilla, Manhattan Rain, and Platinum Scissors.

A Tapit colt from the family of champion and prominent producer Serena’s Song sold for $1.05 million to Baccari Bloodstock. Other top weanling prices during Book 1 included a Tapit filly sold for $975,000 to White Birch Farm, and a colt from the final crop of Scat Daddy sold for $750,000 to Mayfair Speculators.

The Keeneland November sale had established a record North American weanling price in each of its prior two renewals, with a $3 million Tapit filly sold in 2014 surpassed by a $3.2-million War Front filly last year.

– additional reporting by Nicole Russo