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

Half Ours, whose daughter topped Friday's session, brought $6.1 million at the 2006 November Sale (Joseph DiOrio/Horsephotos.com) The numbers continued their downward spiral at the 11th session of Keeneland's November Breeding Stock Sale on Friday. With just two days left in the sale, a total of 2,494 horses have been purchased for $157,728,400, a drop of 11.8 percent over last year when 2,229 equines had been sold for $178,869,000 by this point. The overall average so far has declined 21.2 percent, from $80,246 to $63,243, while the median has fallen 22.6 percent, from $31,000 to $24,000. Three horses tied as the top seller during Friday's session, with Hip No. 3976 the first to reach the $50,000 mark. Consigned by Baccari Bloodstock, agent, the gray filly from the first crop of Grade 2 victor Half Ours (Unbridled's Song) was purchased by Stoney Lane Farm. Out of the unraced Meadowlake mare Fine Prospect, the Kentucky-bred lass was foaled on February 16 and counts as a half-sister dual stakes-placed Big Cat Walks Late (Stormy Atlantic). This is the same family as Grade 2 heroine Golden Gale (Summer Squall). Two stallion prospects also attracted winnings bids of $50,000. Group 1 winner SUDAN (Ire) (Peintre Celebre), consigned as Hip 4078 by Three Chimneys Sales, agent, went to Marcel Zarour following his tour of the sale's ring. The six-year-old chestnut captured the 2007 edition of the Gran Premio di Milano (Ity-G1) and then shipped to the United States and added a win in the 2008 Golden Gate Fields Turf S. (G3) and a third in the Jim Murray Memorial H. (G2) to his resume. Sudan retired with a 16-3-2-4, $476,323, mark. Sudan is out of the winning Sarabande (Woodman), and his second dam is Grade 2 heroine Special Happening (Relaunch), who ran fourth in the 1989 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1).

Lane's End, agent, consigned GRAND MINSTREL (Grand Slam), who was knocked down to Jason Hall, agent, for $50,000. Hip 4093 sold as a racing or stallion prospect. Winner of the 2007 Capote S., the Virginia-bred four-year-old has compiled a career mark of 11-2-3-2 while racking up earnings of $123,546. He is out of Grade 2 winner Colonial Minstrel (Pleasant Colony) and counts as half-siblings stakes victress Storm Minstrel (Storm Cat) and this year's Rushaway S. runner-up Ziegfeld (Elusive Quality).

Grand Minstrel's second dam is Minstrella (The Minstrel), who was named champion two-year-old in Ireland in 1986 following wins in the Phoenix S. (Ire-G1), Moyglare Stud S. (Ire-G1) and Cheveley Park S. (Eng-G1). Others of note in the family include Grade 2 heroines Misty Gallore (Halo) and Mini Sermon (Pulpit) and Grade 3 scorer Pleasant Strike (Smart Strike), who posted near-miss seconds in this season's Red Bank S. (G3) and Cliff Hanger S. (G3) in his past two starts.

The next highest price on Friday, and the top price for a mare, was reached by Hip 3789. Marette Farrell, agent, went to $47,000 to acquire the unraced SHADES OF A LADY (Giant's Causeway). Consigned by Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency, agent, the Kentucky-bred sophomore is believed to be in foal to Harlington on a March 24 cover. Her dam, Shades of Grace (Seeking the Gold), is herself a daughter of Grade 2-placed Outlasting (Seattle Slew) and a half-sister to Grade 3 winner Fortitude (Cure the Blues).

Shades of a Lady's third dam is Outstandingly (Exclusive Native), the champion two-year-old filly of 1984.

Friday saw 233 horses attract winning bids, bringing in $1,778,400. That number is off by 40.6 percent compared to last year's corresponding session when 230 horses sold for $2,993,700. The average plummeted 41.4 percent, from $13,016 to $7,633, while the median was cut in half, from $10,000 to $5,000.

The auction runs through Sunday, with each day's trade kicking off at 10 a.m. (EST). For more information, as well as live video of the sale, log onto keeneland.com.

More Breeding & Sales News:

Keeneland November: a microcosm of current market

Lady Susan tops penultimate Keeneland session at $42,000

Courageisamajority sells for $125,000 at Keeneland November

Pizmo Time tops 10th session of Keeneland November

Conquest Enforcer leads eighth session at $785,000

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