Gross, average rise at Keeneland January

The 2013 Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale concluded Friday with

gains in gross and average, while the median remained unchanged over last year.

At the end of the five-day auction, 1,105 horses grossed $45,207,300, a 19

percent rise over last year's sale when 1,003 sold for $37,991,900 over

four sessions. The sale average rose 8 percent, from $37,878 to $40,912, while

the median stayed level at $15,000.

"The horse industry is remarkably resilient, and we see

greater evidence of market confidence with each sale," Keeneland Vice President

of Sales Walt Robertson said. "It continues to be a highly selective, highly

competitive market characterized by strong trade. The money, and just as

importantly the enthusiasm, is there for quality individuals, and that makes for

a very healthy outlook."

"During the past two years, the Keeneland sales have helped

establish a solid foundation for the future growth of the industry," said

Geoffrey Russell, Keeneland's director of sales. "Now that the initial shock of

the 2008 financial crisis is behind us, people are getting back to business.

Supply is falling in line with demand, which is creating a buoyant marketplace.

There was great traffic through the sales barns, and great interest in

broodmares, which signals buyers' long-term commitment to the horse business."

The January Sale was further enhanced by the complete

dispersal of Issam Fares' Fares Farm. With Lane's End acting as agent, 78 horses

sold for $7,313,000, averaging $93,756 with a median of $56,000.

"Mr. Fares is a great friend and neighbor of Keeneland. The success of

this dispersal reflects the respect his peers have for his accomplishments,"

Robertson said before adding, "We want to thank our consignors and buyers for

their great support throughout the sale year, and wish them all good luck during

the upcoming breeding season."

Three horses brought seven-figure bids at the sale compared to one in

2012, with new buyers accounting for the top two highest-priced horses.

Canadian businessman Nat Rea's Regis Farms paid the sale's

top price of $1.45 million for a yearling filly by Street Sense from Alfred

Nuckols Jr.'s Hurstland Farm consignment. Out of multiple Grade 3-placed stakes winner Please Sign In

(Doc's Leader), the filly is a three-quarter sister to Grade 1 victress Cry and Catch Me

(Street Cry) as well as a half-sister to unbeaten Group 1 vixen Certify (Elusive

Quality).

The price is the second-highest ever paid for a yearling at

the January Sale, ranking just behind the $3.4 million bid in 1998 for the filly

Inkling. The top price for a yearling colt is $1.15 million spent for

Videographic, also sold in January 1998.

The session topper on Friday was Hip No. 1850, a yearling colt by Kitten's

Joy who was gaveled down to Greendale Bloodstock for $100,000. The March 9

foal was offered by Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency, agent.

Produced by Esther Got Even (Stephen Got Even), the New York-bred chestnut

counts as his third dam the Grade 2-winning Via Borghese (Seattle Dancer), a

half-sister to Italian champion Miswaki Tern (Miswaki), Grade 2 victor El Angelo

(El Gran Senor) and Group 3 scorer Porto Varas (Miswaki). All were reared by

Group 2 heroine Angela Serra (Arctic Tern).

PULPITARIAN (Pulpit), a five-year-old son of multiple Grade 3 queen Bedanken (Geri), sold as a racing prospect to Jane Buchanan for $70,000. Hip

1880 was offered by Denali Stud (Craig and Holly Bandoroff), agent.

Campaigned by breeder Pin Oak, Pulpitarian has thus far compiled a mark of 13-3-4-1,

$103,895. Trained by Graham Motion, the gelding last raced on November 24,

winning a second-level allowance at Laurel Park by two lengths.

Pulpitarian's second dam is Danka (Strawberry Road), who in addition to

producing Bedanken also reared Grade 2-placed multiple stakes winner Much

Obliged (Kingmambo).

On Friday, 181 horses sold for $1,518,700, an average of $8,391 and a median

of $4,000.

Keeneland will hold its next auction, the April

Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale, on April 8. The April Sale preview show

will be held April 4.

For complete results, log onto

keeneland.com.