2021 Keeneland September

[Flanders]

The bloom is certainly off War Front. 5 sold, highest went for $400,000 and that was to Coolmore, who of course own several shares in him. And the dam of that was of course a Galileo daughter, who they used to own....

Starting to remind me a bit of Forestry.

Disagree. I think the better War Fronts are in today's session, not yesterday's (which is supported by the $1.2M War Front filly that just sold). Also, I feel like his books have somewhat dropped off with the introduction of American Pharoah and Justify (a lot of the mares that used to go to War Front are now going to these younger Triple Crown winners), and it's showing in his sales prices. I think a lot of his best bred offspring aren't even making it to the sales now.

Agree to disagree.
He may have better horses in today's book, but Coolmore have dropped off supporting him in favor of their own stallions the last year and as a race horse sire (aside from sales figures), he's sitting at 46th overall right now, with his main earner having earned all of $192,500 so far. For a $150,000 stud fee I'd like to see more consistency. What did he have last year for big winners? He finished 29th on the sire's list behind Violence, English Channel, Looking at Lucky, etc. His leading earner earned $518,000

He has never been in the top for money earning stallions. He has never covered huge books of mares and his book size has been cut even more in recent years. I think 2021 is the first year he hasn't gotten multiple G1SWs in a very very long time, because even though the Bloodhorse stallion list doesn't show it, he got a G1 winner in Australia earlier in the year that has a 1.5 million AUD purse(so this is his leading earner this year). Last year he had 3 G1SWs, War of Will, Halladay and Civil Union.
His yearling average has rebounded beyond last year and he got multiple million dollar yearlings, I think that shows that people still like him.

[Summer Bird]

Going back on the Quality Road-Brielle’s Appeal colt, David Ingordo said he’ll be trained by John Shirreffs. I’m assuming he’ll be owned by CRK Stables, the owners of Honor AP, Express Train, Midcourt, Switch, and Kobe’s Back

[bare it all]

I feel like Mendelssohn isn't getting nearly the prices one would think for a Scat Daddy half to Into Mischief and he'd have a touch more support so far. Have to see what the rest of them do. I feel a little bad for him because Coolmore is putting all their biggest and brightest 'eggs' in the Justify Scat Daddy basket (probably because of having to buy him as a stallion? idk)

[CorridorZ75]

Is a sales topper ( so far) really a sales topper if the original owner still owns a share in him?

[BaroqueAgain1]

I noticed that the Mendelssohns weren't bringing big prices, but I also noticed that the mares were a bunch of "who?" Not getting the best mares is hurting him now.
If Coolmore is going to keep treating him like a red-haired stepchild, maybe he would be better off if he stood in Japan or Australia.

[Diver52]

I haven't followed Mendelssohns's books but it would be a real pity if Coolmore is not supporting him. Very talented, pedigree up the kazoo--

[Flanders]

I noticed that the Mendelssohns weren't bringing big prices, but I also noticed that the mares were a bunch of "who?" Not getting the best mares is hurting him now.
If Coolmore is going to keep treating him like a red-haired stepchild, maybe he would be better off if he stood in Japan or Australia.

Of course they are unknown mares. He is standing for 35k, no one is going to send a top mare to a stallion standing for 35k. They get the mares that are bred at that stud fee range. Add to that, City of Light, Good Magic and West Coast all went to stud in 2019 for 35k. So they were competing with each other for mares. Plus he bred 250+ mares his first year and has a TON in the sale. If none that went through the ring so far, there were only 6, were standouts, a buyer can just wait for one of the other 93 that are entered in the sale(I didn't look how many are outs).

Sessions 1 and 2 are for the big commercial stallions, the ones standing for huge stud fees and sometimes they'll put in a few from new stallions. But keep in mind that sessions 3 and 4 usually have some nicely priced yearlings and that is where a lot of the new stallions will show what they have. Its the later sessions when the prices drop off sharply.

[BaroqueAgain1]

Thanks for that perspective. I guess I'm being impatient.

[Flanders]

Thanks for that perspective. I guess I'm being impatient.

He has a lot in Session 3 to look forward to seeing go through the ring.
From the ones that have had pictures, I like the looks of the ones in Session 3 better than what was in Session 1/2.

[starrydreamer]

Thanks for that perspective. I guess I'm being impatient.

He has a lot in Session 3 to look forward to seeing go through the ring.
From the ones that have had pictures, I like the looks of the ones in Session 3 better than what was in Session 1/2.

Okay, I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks that! I was going through the photos and thinking that there are some very good looking horses here. I guess the pedigrees are a bit lighter than in book 1.

[KatieK101]

No time to go through the results of session 2 and list all of the notable sells, but here are the top 10 from yesterday!

1. Hip 300, Quality Road o/o Catch the Moon, sold for $1.6Million. Purchased by Woodford Thoroughbred and West Point.
2. Hip 333, Curlin o/o Dashing Debby, sold for $1.3Million. Purchased by M.V. Magnier (Coolmore).
3. Hip 331, Tapit o/o Danzatrice, sold for $1.3Million. Purchased by Whisper Hill Farm.
4. Hip 356, Into Mischief o/o Embellish the Lace, sold for $1.2Million. Purchased by Spendthrift Farm.
5. Hip 223, War Front o/o Vaulcluse, sold for $1.2Million. Purchased by Seahorse Stables.
6. Hip 286, Quality Road o/o Brielle's Appeal, sold for $1.1Million. Purchased by Mayberry Farm.
7. Hip 376, City of Light o/o Ghostslayer, sold for $1Million. Purchased by an agent for Repole Stables.
8. Hip 309, War Front o/o Chatham, sold for $1Million. Purchased by Lynnhaven Racing.
9. Hip 293, Curlin o/o Cajun Delta Dawn, sold for $975K. Purchased by an agent for Repole Stables.
10. Hip 235, Speightstown o/o Wildwood Rose, sold for $900K. Purchased by Maverick / Siena Farm.

I still think it's wild that the most expensive yearling thus far, the $1.9Million Quality Road colt, was an RNA.

Just scrolling through and looking at the results from yesterday, I would say the day belongs to Quality Road, Curlin, then Justify.

[KatieK101]

The half to Gamine is a pretty significant late out today. Nobody has passed the million-dollar mark yet today.

I haven't been paying close attention today, but I believe the current leader is Hip 466, the Curlin half to My Prankster. I know he passed $800K, but whether or not he met his reserve is still unclear.

[Flanders]

The half to Gamine is a pretty significant late out today. Nobody has passed the million-dollar mark yet today.

I haven't been paying close attention today, but I believe the current leader is Hip 466, the Curlin half to My Prankster. I know he passed $800K, but whether or not he met his reserve is still unclear.

He did, 850k to SF/Starlight/Madaket.

Then 465 (Quality Road - My Miss Chiff) went to 825k to Baoma

They are the only 2 with results that crossed 500k. I haven't been watching the live stream so could be more.

[Summer Bird]

The half to Gamine is a pretty significant late out today. Nobody has passed the million-dollar mark yet today.

I haven't been paying close attention today, but I believe the current leader is Hip 466, the Curlin half to My Prankster. I know he passed $800K, but whether or not he met his reserve is still unclear.

He did, 850k to SF/Starlight/Madaket.

Then 465 (Quality Road - My Miss Chiff) went to 825k to Baoma

They are the only 2 with results that crossed 500k. I haven't been watching the live stream so could be more.

There was a Tapit and City of Light that went for $500,00

[Squeaky]

It is a bit disappointing to me that in all of the interviews I have read by buyers of these sales toppers the first thing they mention is wanting to “ make a stallion”. No mention of success on the track, training, soundness etc. All about breeding success. Breed to breed not to race seems to be the theme.

[BaroqueAgain1]

540, Justify x Singita colt, is a very pretty Justify. $190,000.

[Katewerk]

540, Justify x Singita colt, is a very pretty Justify. $190,000.

He could have a second career as show pony.

Edited to add that the 554 Justify was also a looker.

[Slewfan2]

Nice to see that Honor Code had a beautiful colt with a cool tail sell very well - I hope he landed in good hands

[KatieK101]

Hip 581, Justify o/o True Feelings, just sold for a whooping $1,550,000 !

I certainly didn't see that price coming, but he has a nice female family.

[KatieK101]

Mendelssohn finally gets a big price with Hip 603, o/o Acrobatique. The hammer dropped at $900K!

Previously, his best price of the sale was $400K.