Nyquist colt leads the way as Keeneland’s January Horses of All Ages Sale records impressive $53.5 million gross

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The curtain came down on Keeneland’s January Horses of All Ages Sale in Kentucky on Tuesday and across the two days of trade 701 horses sold for $53,580,300, the highest gross recorded at the auction since 2008.

During the second session on Tuesday, Keeneland sold 347 horses through the ring for $19,527,400, at an average of $56,275, while the median finished at $22,000. For the entire auction, the recorded gross was up 45 per cent, while the average rose to $76,928 (up 58 per cent year-on-year) and a median of $30,000 (up 36 per cent).

Keeneland’s vice president of sales Tony Lacy said: “The market never had enough. The back ring was packed for a lot of the day, and a lot of people were here and were very engaged. All you can ask for in a good marketplace is to have energy from beginning to end. The sale never felt like it had a lull. Buyers were bidding aggressively and with urgency, which is fantastic.

“Today was a solid day of trading. The clearance rate, average and median were up over last year — even with the higher volume. I think everybody felt like it was a very honest and strong market overall. We were very happy. And I think the sellers were happy. The buyers felt it was a competitive environment.

• Click here for the results from Keeneland’s January Horses of All Ages Sale

Tuesday’s session was topped by a yearling colt by Darley’s leading sire Nyquist after he sold to En Fuego Stables for $525,000. 

Out of stakes-placed Sorrentina Lemon, by Lemon Drop Kid, he is from the family of Canadian champion Negligee. Carolyn Conley of Conley Bloodstock consigned the colt.

"Bill Justice [of Justice Real Estate] is my other half, and he bred this colt,” Conley said. “We believed in this colt from the beginning. I knew he was the nicest foal out of this mare so far. We are excited for his future.

“I wanted to wait for the September Sale, but Bill is an expert businessman and he said Nyquist is as hot as a firecracker so we are going to January. The colt improved while he was here at Keeneland. I swear he grew and gained weight. He has a beautiful disposition. And his walk – wow.”

Mandy Pope’s Whisper Hill Farm finished as the sales leading buyer after spending a sale-topping $3.2 million for Tiffany Case, dam of Canadian champion Nitrogen, during Monday's opening session. 

Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent, finished as the leading consignors with sales of $8,720,500 for 86 horses. Taylor Made has been the January Sale’s leading consigner 24 times since 2000.

Read more international sale news:

‘It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions’ - son of subfertile sire sensation brings A$2 million from Yulong on the Gold Coast 

Coolmore land Winx breeder’s A$2 million Frankel colt as records broken on the Gold Coast 

$3.2 million Grade 1-winning broodmare Tiffany Case tops Keeneland January Sale