Keeneland November 'in a very good spot' as Book 2 ends

Topped by a mare from iconic Juddmonte Farms that sold for $750,000, Wednesday's third session of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale saw 231 horses sell for $33.9 million, at an average price of $146,563 and a $130,000 median.

The 88 horses who went unsold represented an RNA rate of 28 per cent.

Because this year's sale was reformatted to a one-day Book 1 and two days of Book 2, there are no session-by-session comparisons with 2017.

Through the first three sessions, Keeneland has sold 574 horses for $125.2m, compared with $115.8m for 430 during the same point a year ago. The three-day average and median of $218,166 and $150,000, respectively, are down from the $269,233 average and $157,500 median of 2017. The cumulative RNA rate is 27 per cent, compared with 26 per cent in 2017.

Through the first three sessions, there have been eight horses sold for $1m or more, compared with 18 seven-figure transactions in 2017. The number sold in excess of $500,000 has totaled 41 this year, compared with 50 at the same juncture last year.

The top-priced offering on the day was Miss Exclusive (hip 898), a winning, six-year-old daughter of elite broodmare sire Unbridled's Song in foal to Ghostzapper. Consigned by Mill Ridge Sales as agent for Juddmonte, the mare was purchased by Marette Farrell, agent for Greg Goodman's Mt Brilliant Farm and Ranch.

"I think we're at a very good spot, obviously highlighted today by a Juddmonte mare who was well sought-after by a lot of people," said Geoffrey Russell, director of sales operations for Keeneland.

A grey or roan mare, Miss Exclusive was produced from champion and Grade 1 winner Intercontinental, a daughter of Hasili, who was a prolific producer and Broodmare of the Year in England in 2006.

The day's second-highest price of $600,000 was fetched by Spindle, a well-bred daughter of Hard Spun in foal to Quality Road who was knocked down to the account of Purple H Bloodstock. Bernie Sams of Claiborne Farm signed the ticket for the mare, saying she was purchased on behalf of an unnamed farm client.

"The good thing is seeing these local farms replenishing their stock," Russell said of the day's trading. "With the success of the September Sale, it's good to see these people reinvesting."

Consigned by James M Herbener jnr, agent, the five-year-old mare is out of Grade 3 Florida Oaks winner French Satin, a French Deputy mare who has also produced Graded winner Long Haul Bay and stakes winner Midnight Transfer. French Satin is a half-sister to multiple Grade 1 winner and sire Lion Heart and Grade 3 winner Connemara.

Spindle had been purchased by Chesapeake Equine and Manganaro Bloodstock for $200,000 at the 2017 Keeneland November Sale while in foal to Honor Code. The Honor Code filly foaled on January 12 followed her dam into the Keeneland sale ring and was sold by Herbener to Mountmellick Farm for $125,000.

The sale continues through to November 16 with sessions beginning at 10 am ET daily.

Keeneland sales results and buyers

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