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After 10 days of competitive trade for quality broodmares, broodmare and stallion prospects, weanlings and horses of racing age, including nine horses sold for US$1 million, the Keeneland’s November Breeding Stock Sale has finally ended with strong participation from many prominent domestic and foreign horsemen who make up the sale company’s deep buying bench.
For the auction, held Nov. 9-18, Keeneland recorded gross sales of US$151,019,300 for 2,198 horses, for an average of US$68,708 and a median of US$23,000.
The 2019 November Sale, which spanned 12 sessions, had 2,570 horses sell in the ring for US$193,316,100, for an average of US$75,220 and a median of $25,000.
Keeneland conducted the 2020 November Sale with extensive COVID-19 protocols similar to those in place for the September Sale for the health and safety of participants.
Online bidding, which Keeneland introduced at the September Sale, continued to gain popularity as 279 horses sold over the internet for US$16,274,300. Leading the online purchases was Grade 1 winner Ollie’s Candy, who raced two days before the start of the sale in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff Gr.1 at Keeneland and sold as a racing or broodmare prospect to K I Farm of Japan for US$1.65 million.
Despite the logistical and operational challenges presented by the pandemic, including travel restrictions that affected a number of regular international attendees, the November Sale produced solid results.
Grade 1 winner Concrete Rose, a 4YO daughter of Twirling Candy, was consigned as a racing or broodmare prospect by Lane’s End, agent for Ashbrook Farm and BBN Racing. Indian Miss, an 11YO daughter of Indian Charlie who is the dam of champion Mitole, was consigned by Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales Agency, agent, in foal to Into Mischief. Three days before the sale began, her 2YO colt, Hot Rod Charlie, was second in the TVG Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Gr.1.
The number of horses sold in post-sale transactions – 88 horses for US$6,796,000 as of sale end Wednesday – is a reflection of the strong trade. One was Book 1 offering Con Te Partiro, the globetrotting Group 1 winner sold privately for US$1.6 million to David Redvers Bloodstock. Consigned by Bedouin Bloodstock, agent, the 6-year-old daughter of Scat Daddy initially was reported as an RNA.
The leading covering sire by average was Quality Road, whose three in-foal mares averaged $911,667.
Taylor Made Sales Agency was the November Sale’s leading consignor for the fourth consecutive year and the 24th time since 1987. Taylor Made sold 208 horses for US$18,957,600, including the aforementioned Ollie’s Candy and Lady Prancealot as well as Expo Gold, dam of the 2020 Preakness Gr.1 winning filly, Swiss Skydiver, for US$950,000. In foal to Catholic Boy, Expo Gold sold to Hunter Valley Farm, agent.
During Wednesday’s final session, 214 horses sold for US$1,309,600, for an average of US$6,120 and a median of US$4,000. The high seller at US$40,000 was Mutakaamil, a 4YOson of Tapit who sold to Jeff Engler, agent for Lea Farms. Bluewater Sales, agent, consigned the colt.