Champion Take Charge Brandi tops Keeneland November Book 1 at $3.2 million

TAKE CHARGE BRANDI, the 2014 champion juvenile filly and half-sister to current Grade 1 star Omaha Beach, was gaveled down to Hill 'n' Dale Farm's John Sikura for $3.2 million at Wednesday's opening session of the 2019 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. Consigned by Hill 'n' Dale, agent for Sikura and Craig Bernick's Elevage partnership dispersal, Take Charge Brandi sported Hip No. 111.

By Giant's Causeway, Take Charge Brandi is in foal to Triple Crown winner Justify on an April 24 cover. She's out of Charming, a Seeking the Gold half-sister to 2013 three-year-old colt champion Will Take Charge and Grade 1 winner Take Charge Indy.

Sikura also bought out Bernick for Take Charge Brandi's weanling colt by Tapit, which brought a final bid of $600,000.

ESKIMO KISSES, the 2018 Alabama (G1) winner, was the second highest price on the leaderboard at $2.3 million. Consigned by Gainesway, agent, Hip 233 was gaveled down to Shadai Farm.

In foal to Curlin on a March 23 cover, Eskimo Kisses is by To Honor and Serve and out Silver Colors, by Mr. Greeley. Eskimo Kisses' second dam was the Hall of Fame filly Winning Colors, winner of the 1988 Kentucky Derby (G1).

The Elevage dispersal had three others sell for seven figures, including the Grade 1-winning CALLBACK in foal to Medaglia d'Oro on a March 12. Katsumi Yoshida bought the seven-year-old mare for $2 million.

By Street Sense, Callback was produced by Quickest, a Forest Wildcat half-sister to 2010 Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver and the Grade 3 winners Cyrus Alexander and Brethren.

LIL INDY, the dam of Florida Derby (G1) and Haskell Invitational (G1) winner Maximum Security, sold to Summer Wind Equine for $1.85 million. Lane's End, agent, consigned the 12-year-old Anasheed mare in foal to Quality Road on a May 17 cover.

Out of multiple stakes winner Cresta Lil, by Cresta Rider, Lil Indy is a half-sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Flat Out.

At the conclusion of trading Wednesday, Keeneland reported a Book 1 gross of $70,449,500 from the sale of 163 horses. The session average was $432,206, while the median was $300,000.

The sale continues Thursday and runs through November 17 with sessions beginning at 10 a.m. (EST) daily. Full results can be viewed at keeneland.com.