Keeneland’s 81st November Breeding Stock Sale closed Wednesday following nine days of vibrant trade from a global buying bench that yielded healthy across-the-board gains, led by gross sales through the ring of $187.5 million and a record median of $40,000 to signal continued buyer confidence and market stability. Demand for quality spurred competition at all levels of the market, highlighted by nine horses sold for more than $1 million and topped by $2.4 million for Grade 2 winner Roses for Debra. A strong November Sale foal market produced the two most expensive weanlings sold at public auction in North America for the 14th time in 15 years.
During the November Sale, held Nov. 5-13, Keeneland sold 2,050 horses through the ring for $187,557,400, an increase of 6.22% over last year’s nine-day auction, when 2,128 horses sold through the ring for $176,571,000.
The average price of $91,491 was up 10.26% from $82,975 in 2023.
The cumulative median price rose 25% from $32,000 to $40,000, exceeding the record of $37,000 set during the 2021 November Sale.
Canadians were in attendance, buying and selling broodmares and racing prospects.
X-Men Racing and Sean Fitzhenry were among the sellers. X-Men Racing and partners sold Grade 1 winner Last Call for $550,000. Originally a $30,000 yearling purchase by Donato Lanni, Last Call was picked up by Kia Ora Stud. Airosa, a stakes winner of over $177,000, was sold to Gainesway for $435,000. She was originally a $400,000 yearling purchase from breeder David Anderson. X-Men also sold recent Keeenland winner, Canadian-bred Bedard, at the Horses of Racing Age sale for $210,000 to Flurry Racing.
Fitzhenry sold his star mare Dixie Moon for $290,000, who is in foal to Bolt d’Oro.
Some Canadian Buyers
Dr. Brian Van Arem
Ketel Twist, a Dixie Union mare in foal to the red-hot first-year sire McKinzie – $60,000
Dixie Mischief, an Into Mischief mare out of Dixie Strike, a graded stakes winner who won the Prince of Wales Stakes. In foal to Cyberknife – $75,000
Apricot Valley Thoroughbreds
Shannon, by Nyquist, in foal to Kentucky Derby winner Mage – $75,000
Classy Ruler, by Empire Maker, in foal to Honor A.P. – $80,000
Highfield Investment Group Inc.
Elegant Supermodel (Ger), by Lope de Vega (Ire) in foal to Golden Pal – $36,000
Buy Me a Rose, by Violence, in foal to Olympiad – $55,000
Two-year-old filly by Gun Runner – $27,000
Sean Fitzhenry
Weanling colt by Early Voting – $85,000
Glenn Sikura, agent
Sweet Solare, by Into Mischief, in foal to Elite Power – $170,000
Ballycroy Bloodstock
Bernadiva, by Bernardini, in foal to Tacitus – $32,000
Josham Farms
Sterle (Ire), by Invincible Spirit (Ire), in foal to Jack Christopher – $60,000
Tara Horse Farm
Street Show, by Street Boss, in foal to Volatile – $10,000
Applause, by Uncle Mo, in foal to Known Agenda – $15,000
Dale Desruisseaux
Starving Artist, by Paynter, in foal to Tiz the Law – $20,000
Barbara Minshall
Weanling colt by Union Rags – Bel Air Beauty – $25,000
Cara Bloodstock
Wyeth’s Way, by Union Rags, in foal to Nashville – $40,000
Omaha Waltz, 2yo filly by Omaha Beach – $10,000
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