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| Staff Writer |
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The Keeneland September Yearling Sale continued to produce impressive results on Day 4, with five yearlings reaching the US$750,000 mark during the second day of Book 2. Among the top buyers were some of the most active players in the market, showcasing the strength and depth of demand for quality bloodstock.
Two of the US$750,000 purchases were sired by Gun Runner, highlighting the continued appeal of his offspring. Hip 818, a chestnut colt out of stakes winner and multiple stakes producer Giant Mover, was bought by agent Mike Ryan for trainer Chad Brown. The colt, consigned by St George Sales for Dell Ridge Farm's dispersal, is a half-brother to Grade One-placed, Grade Two winner Family Tree and Grade Two winner Liora.
Archie St George, the consignor, commented: "He had a lot of action and a lot of big players, and he's a very nice horse. Arguably the top stallion in North America and out of a good mare, he was raised by a very good farm. Des (Ryan) and Dell Ridge do a wonderful job and thank you to Chad (Brown) and best of luck to them."
The other Gun Runner offspring to reach US$750,000 was Hip 865, a chestnut colt purchased by M.V. Magnier and Peter Brant's White Birch Farm. Consigned by Warrendale Sales, the colt is out of the Gr.3-winning Scat Daddy mare Kallio.
Hunter Simms of Warrendale noted: "He is a big strong colt that moved so light on his feet, just a nice easy-moving horse and I think that is what drew people to him. Today has been a very strong day overall. You bring a nice horse here with the right sire power and you'll get rewarded."
The most expensive filly of the session was Hip 829, a dark bay or brown yearling by freshman sire Authentic. John Stewart's Resolute Bloodstock secured the filly for US$750,000. Consigned by Jim and Pam Robinson's Brandywine Farm, she is out of the winning Candy Ride daughter Hallawallah, who is out of 2007 champion female sprinter Maryfield.
Jim Robinson commented on the filly's attributes: "She's a very nice filly. Her greatest aptitude is her athleticism. She looks like a racehorse should. She has a nice walk. The bid spotters told me there were six different bidders on her."
Hip 871, a dark bay or brown colt by Justify, was purchased for US$750,000 by SF Racing Partnership. The colt, consigned by ELiTE for WinStar Farm, is one of 10 yearlings by Ashford Stud's Justify to sell for more than US$400,000 since the start of the sale.
Tom Ryan of SF Racing said: "He's a beautiful colt. We all watched Justify grow up at WinStar and it's lovely to see them produce such quality animals by what looks to be an amazing stallion. We'll put him in the program with Bob Baffert and hopefully he has a bright future."
Former Australian trainer Michael Costa, now based in Dubai, made significant purchases for Sheikh Ahmed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum's Jebel Ali Stables. Costa acquired four yearlings on Day 4 for a total of US$1.43 million, including a US$650,000 Into Mischief colt out of Gr.1 winner Dance to Bristol.
The Keeneland September Yearling Sale has a rich history of producing top-class racehorses. Previous graduates include Kentucky Derby winners Authentic and Nyquist, as well as champions such as Beholder, Monomoy Girl, and Gun Runner himself.
As the sale progresses, buyers continue to show a strong appetite for well-bred yearlings with potential to excel on the track and in the breeding shed. The robust trade at Keeneland serves as a positive indicator for the health of the Thoroughbred industry, despite wider economic uncertainties.