Trainer Bob Baffert paid $700,000 for a colt by Uncle Mo to lead Friday’s fourth session of the 72nd Keeneland September Yearling Sales, which saw across-the-board increases in results.
On Friday, a total of 258 yearlings sold for $38,462,000, up 7.93 percent from the corresponding session last year when 294 horses grossed $35,634,500. The average of $149,078 rose 23 percent from $121,206 in 2014, while the median of $120,000 increased 20 percent from $100,000 last year.
“Today’s auction was very good,” Keeneland Director of Sales Geoffrey Russell said. “A number of different buyers and a great group of international buyers, including horsemen from Venezuela, bought yearlings. The session-topping Uncle Mo colt was obviously very special. He looked like he was getting ready to run at Keeneland today; he was that advanced. Overall, it was a very successful day.”
Through the first four days of the 12-day auction, 701 horses have been sold for $172,823,000, down slightly when compared with last year’s five-day gross of $177,787,500 for 767 horses. The cumulative average increased 6.36 percent, from $231,796 in 2014 to $246,538. The median of $200,000 was up 11.11 percent from $180,000 last year.
Baffert, who trains 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, signed the ticket for the session-topper, the first foal out of the stakes-placed Quiet American mare Kiss the Lady and from the family of Grade 2 stakes winners A Little Warm and Mini Sermon and Irish champion Minstrella.
“It’s an Uncle Mo; he’s hot,” said Baffert, who bought the colt for an undisclosed client.
“He’s just a really solid, sound, good walking colt,” said Frank Taylor, vice president of boarding operations for consignor Taylor Made Sales Agency. “He had a lot of class about him, and everybody lined up on him and really liked him.”
At $600,000, the session’s second-highest-priced yearling was a colt from the first crop of The Factor purchased by Zayat Stables. Consigned by Elm Tree Lane Farm, agent for Stonestreet Bred & Raised, the colt is out of the Bernardini mare Aspen Light, a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Great Hunter.
“(He’s) by The Factor, a beautiful-looking, athletic horse,” said Justin Zayat, racing manager for his family’s Zayat Stables, owner of 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah. “We loved him. The first second we saw him, he was a standout to us. (He was) bred by Barbara (Banke) at Stonestreet, so you know they are going to breed a good horse. We are looking forward to racing him.”
Baffert also signed the ticket for a Flatter colt purchased for Three Amigos for $550,000. Consigned by Bluewater Sales, agent, the colt is out of the winning Cherokee Run mare
Stormy B. He is a half-brother to 2015 Besilu Stables Fountain of Youth (G2) winner Itsaknockout and is from the family of Grade 3 winner Rush Bay.
Woodford Racing paid $500,000 for a Hard Spun colt consigned by Gainesway, agent. The colt is the first foal out of the Empire Maker mare Azorina, a daughter of Grade 1 winner Aldiza and a half-sister to Grade 3 winner Altesse and stakes winner Where’s the Moon.
Ben Glass, agent, also spent $500,000 for a Tiznow colt who is the first foal from the Grade 3 stakes winner Island Bound, by Speightstown. Nursery Place, agent, consigned the colt, who is from the family of Grade 3 winners Savorthetime and Rogue Romance. His fourth dam, the Manila mare Katie Love, is a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Ogygian.
The session’s top-priced filly was a daughter of Tapit sold to Phyllis Wyeth’s Chadds Ford Stable for $475,000.
“We tried hard (to buy a horse) in Book 1 and were getting closer and closer (to buying) and finally we landed one,” said Braxton Lynch, who signed the ticket. “It was our last one (on the list). I think it’s a great price for a Tapit from that family. She’s a beautiful filly and we’re thrilled. Very happy to have her.”
Consigned by Gainesway, agent, the filly is out of the Stormy Atlantic mare Aguadilla, a full sister to Grade 3 winner Assateague and a half-sister to Grade 3 winners Kindergarden Kid and Rainha Da Bateria and 2014 Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) runner-up He’s Had Enough.
The session’s leading buyer was Grupo 7C Racing Stables, which purchased 12 horses for
$1,790,000.
Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent, was the session’s leading consignor, selling 32 yearlings for $4,844,000.
The September Sale continues today and runs through Saturday, Sept. 26, with all sessions beginning at 10 a.m. ET. The entire sale is streamed live at Keeneland.com.