The dispersal of breeding stock from one of Canada’s most successful farms, Windhaven, began Wednesday, Nov. 6, during the first session of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock sale in Lexington. The dispersal continues Thursday on day 2 of the sale.
INTENTIONAL CRY (Street Cry (ire) and her Ontario-bred weanling Ghostzapper colt were sold for $285,000 and $500,000 respectively to Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings. Intentional Cry is the dam of stakes winner Telekinesis. Graham, who passed away early in 2019 at the age of 81, is a Hall of Famer who raised horses on his Caledon, ON farm.
One day after selling their champion SHAMROCK ROSE for $2.5 million, Penny and Manfred Conrad started spending as they purchased a Kentucky-bred weanling by Triple Crown champion AMERICAN PHAROAH from the graded stakes placed mare Jeremy’s Legacy (Ire) for $210,000.
Champion Take Charge Brandi, in foal to 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify, sold for $3.2 million to Hill ‘n’ Dale at Xalapa to top Wednesday’s opening day. Strong commerce and the sale of 14 horses for more than $1 million each spurred a 14.40 per cent increase in gross sales for the session, which totalled $70.4 million.
The 14 horses sold for seven figures was the highest since 2011 and surpassed last year’s total of eight million-dollar sellers. This year, three broodmares commanded final bids of $2 million or more: Take Charge Brandi; Grade 1 winner Eskimo Kisses, in foal to Curlin, sold for $2.3 million; and Grade 1 winner Callback, in foal Medaglia d’Oro, sold for $2 million.
Gross sales for Wednesday’s premier Book 1 session grossed $70,449,500, up 14.40 per cent from last year’s opening day gross of $61,583,500. Today, 163 horses sold compared to 134 during the first session in 2018. Average price was $432,206 versus $459,578 last year. Median price was $300,000 compared to $350,000 in 2018.
“A number of positive factors contributed to the significant rise in gross sales today: broad trading, quality offerings, a strong weanling market and our supplemental entries, which produced more than $3 million at the end of the session,” Keeneland Director of Racing and Sales Bob Elliston said. “We are proud that John Sikura and Craig Bernick chose Keeneland for their unique Elevage dispersal; their horses sold very well here today. We also appreciate the tremendous support from our Japanese buyers and Jane Lyon of Summer Wind.”
Session-topping Take Charge Brandi, a 7-year-old daughter of Giant’s Causeway, was consigned by Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales Agency, agent for Elevage Dispersal. Elevage is a partnership that includes Glen Hill Farm’s Craig Bernick of Florida and John G. Sikura of Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm near Lexington. The Elevage Dispersal produced sales of $11.7 million for 13 horses.
Hill ‘n’ Dale at Xalapa led the session’s buyers by purchasing four horses – all from the Elevage Dispersal – for a total of $4.8 million. It also spent $600,000 for Take Charge Brandi’s weanling colt by Tapit; $600,000 for Cassat, a daughter of Tapit in foal to Good Magic; and $400,000 for a weanling colt by Medaglia d’Oro out of Callback, by Street Sense.
Take Charge Brandi, a half-sister to 2019 Grade 1 winner Omaha Beach, is from the family of champion Will Take Charge and Grade 1 winner Take Charge Indy. Her second dam is Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Take Charge Lady.
