Continuing the trend set earlier this fall by the buoyant yearling market, Keeneland’s November Breeding Stock Sale finished with significant gains over last year, wrapping as the second-highest grossing Keeneland November sale of the past six years.
Although the number of horses sold remained relatively the same between last year’s auction and this one, the gross receipts rose by 38 percent to total $197,189,000. The average price ($80,256) and median ($35,000) climbed 35 and 59 percent respectively.
This year’s auction was so successful in fact, that its total sales surpassed last year’s 11-day auction on its fifth day.
The number of horses not attaining their reserve tends to be a better indicator of the strength of competition at an auction than its average and median figures, and here Keeneland November enjoyed success also. The RNA rate was down throughout and finished at 14.5 percent for the overall auction. The lowered RNA rate demonstrates either a shift in expectations on the part of the seller, or an increased interest on the part of the buyers’ market. Many agents likely had to put out more cash and stay later into the sale than they had originally planned.
Fourteen horses sold for $1 million or more, with the topper being $4 million mare Awesome Maria, who was sold by Lane’s End Farm to M.V. Magnier of Coolmore.
As per usual, young mares drew the highest prices of this year’s auction, but two exited the ring bound for somewhat unexpected destinations.
Groupie Doll, twice the winner of the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint, was undoubtedly the most well-known of the seven-figure horses at Keeneland November. The 5-year-old daughter of Bowman’s Band was born and raised by central Kentucky horsemen Fred and William “Buff” Bradley and has been campaigned by Buff Bradley for her entire career. Buff Bradley keeps a smaller barn than some of the sport’s “super trainers” and wasn’t shy about admitting how emotionally attached he is to Groupie Doll. The mare’s owners did not want to stay in the breeding business however, and planned to sell her at Keeneland November at what was to be the conclusion of her career.
The mood was bittersweet in the sales pavilion when the mare entered the ring, as it was expected she would be sold to foreign interests, but Mandy Pope of Florida-based Whisper Hill Farm placed the $3.1 million bid. In a surprise twist, Pope announced days later that she wanted to keep Groupie Doll in training and sent her back to Bradley’s barn in New York to prepare for the Grade 1 Cigar Mile on Nov. 30. Reports also indicate that Pope, who usually spends big on mares she intends to retire and breed, has not ruled out a 2014 campaign for Groupie Doll.
Eblouissante, half-sister to 2010 Horse of the Year Zenyatta, also went through the ring at Keeneland November. While she was offered as either a racing or broodmare prospect, many expected it was likely she would be retired and bred in the new year, but instead she was bought for $2.1 million by Ian Banwell’s St. George Farms Stable and shipped back to longtime trainer John Shirreffs in California.
The buyers themselves painted an interesting picture, as well.
Although foreign money typically reigns at the upper pricepoints, Americans maintained a strong presence there this year. Lexington’s Mt. Brilliant Farm shelled out seven figures for $2.6 million mare Star Billing, who sold in foal to super sire Giant’s Causeway; Reynolds Bell signed a $2.15 million ticket for Broadway’s Alibi on behalf of Alpha Delta Stables, and Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings purchased Ask the Moon at $1.8 million and R Heat Lightning at $1.6 million.
Relatively new foreign interests spent big money at Keeneland as well. Don Alberto Corp., which represents Chile’s Haras Don Alberto, was the top buyer by expenditure, spending $10.64 million on 32 horses. The company recently bought Lexington’s Vinery Farm.
K.O.I.D., the purchasing arm for the Korean Racing Association, continued to widen its influence. This year, it bought 33 horses for as much as $65,000 — an increase from its ceiling of $42,000 last year.
“One consignor described it as the ‘United Nations of Keeneland,’ ” quipped director of sales Geoffrey Russell on Thursday. “That strategy has helped to fuel the market gains we are realizing now.”
Keeneland’s next auction will be the January Horses of All Ages sale, which launches January 6.