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Unbridled's Song colt goes for $185,000 at Keeneland

Just five days until the sun sets on Keeneland's 2009 September sale (Michael J. Marten/Horsephotos.com) An Unbridled's Song colt, a member of the Overbrook Farm dispersal, brought a final bid of $185,000 to lead all offerings at Wednesday's session of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale in Lexington, Kentucky. Consigned by Eaton Sales, agent, Hip No. 3176 was purchased by Baccari Bloodstock for Besilu. The February 27 foal was produced from the Grade 2-winning Katz Me if You Can (Storm Cat), a half-sister to the stakes-winning producer Country Romance (Saint Ballado), both out of 1990 Hollywood Starlet S. (G1) winner Cuddles (Mr. Prospector). The yearling's fourth dam, Canadian champion Square Angel (Quadangle), produced Canadian champion Kamar (Key to the Mint) and her Grade 1-winning full sister Love Smitten. Square Angel was also the granddam of European champion Swain (Ire) (Nashwan), Canadian champion Key to the Moon (Wajima) and Grade 1-winning sisters Gorgeous (Slew o' Gold) and Seaside Attraction (Seattle Slew). This prolific family is also responsible for Grade 1 winner Tap to Music (Pleasant Tap), current Australian Group 1 winner Whobegotyou (Street Cry [Ire]), and noted sire Northern Afleet (Afleet).

Marette Farrell went to $170,000 to secure Hip 3223, a Dehere half-brother to the stakes-winning Olivine (Royal Academy). He was produced from Miner's Blessing (Forty Niner), a half-sister to the Grade 1-placed producer Conquistadoress (Seeking the Gold), and was consigned by Lantern Hill Farm, agent.

The March 23 foal's third dam, Grade 3 winner Wedding Party (Hoist the Flag), produced Grade 3 scorer Deputation (Deputy Minister), the ancestress of Grade 1 winner Carriage Trail (Giant's Causeway) and multiple Grade 3 victress Criminologist (Maria's Mon).

The session's highest-priced filly also went for $170,000. The Dixie Union lass, who toured the ring sporting Hip 3247, went to Mike Shannon, agent. The May 12 filly, out of Nicarola Catrola (Deputy Minister), was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent.

The filly's third dam is the legendary Dahlia (*Vaguely Noble), the multiple English Horse of the Year who was also named U.S. champion turf horse in 1974. In addition to her Hall of Fame exploits on the racetrack, Dahlia was also the noted producer of Grade 1 winners Dahar (Lyphard), Rivlia (Riverman), Delegant (*Grey Dawn II) and Dahlia's Dreamer (Theatrical [Ire]).

On Wednesday, 281 horses sold for $7,564,100, a decline 26.2 percent from the corresponding session a year ago when $10,244,800 was realized from the sale of 266 yearlings. The session average was down 30.1 percent, from $38,514 to $26,919, while the session median was off 40 percent, from $30,000 to $18,000.

Cumulatively, $179,342,600 has been grossed from the sale of 2,028 yearlings, a decline of 41.3 percent at this stage a year ago when the sale of 2,233 horses had brought $305,698,100. The sale average is down 35.4 percent, from $136,900 to $88,433, while the median is off 40.6 percent, from $80,000 to $47,500.

The 14-day sale, which continues Thursday beginning at 10 a.m. (EDT), concludes Monday. For more information, as well as live video of the auction, log onto keeneland.com.

More Breeding & Sales News:

Lease of Life brings $110,000 at Keeneland November

Weanling filly, stallion prospects bring $50,000 at Keeneland

Stormy B attracts $67,000 bid

Artie Schiller filly brings $90,000 at Keeneland

Empire Maker fillies top Keeneland session

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