Keeneland September wraps up with across-the-board increases

Keeneland September wraps up with across-the-board

increases

Keeneland's 2013 September Yearling Sale concluded on Saturday with a more

than quarter-percent gain in gross. The sale surpassed last year's total

aggregate on Monday and just continued to add to its coffers from that point

forward.

With 12 days of selling, 2,744 yearlings were purchased for $280,491,300, a

jump of 27.6 percent over the 11-day stand in 2012 that saw 2,516 horses go for

$219,781,500. The cumulative average rose 17 percent, from $87,354 to $102,220,

and the $45,000 median increased 11.1 percent to $50,000.

There were 18 million-dollar yearlings total for the sale, tying the number

of seven-figure horses sold back in the heady days of the 2008 September Sale.

The overall sale topper came on September 12 at the conclusion of Book 1, which

was extended to cover the first four sessions, when Hip No. 712 sold to

Coolmore's M.V. Magnier for $2.5 million. He was consigned by Woods Edge Farm

(Peter O'Callaghan), agent.

The War Front colt was a pinhooking triumph,

having gone to Brittlyn Stables for $180,000 as a weanling at Keeneland

November. The February 7 foal is the first from Blading Gold Ring (During), who

placed in the 2009 Princess on the Louisiana Downs turf and the Pontalba on the

Fair Grounds dirt as a juvenile.

Blading Gold Ring is a half-sister to another smart two-year-old in Emerald

Gold (War Front), the third-place finisher in the 2011 Del Mar Debutante (G1)

and Jessamine (G3). With the $2.5 million colt also being by War Front, he is

thus a three-quarter brother to Emerald Gold.

The Kentucky-bred dark bay's third dam, the stakes-placed Sweet Willa

(Assert), produced Grade 3 heroine Undermine (Miner's Mark) and Group 3-winning

stayer Holberg (Halling). Sweet Willa is herself a full sister to Grade 1 queen

Willa on the Move and a half-sister to multiple Grade 1 star Will's Way (Easy

Goer). This is also the family of multiple Grade 1-winning millionaire Tizway (Tiznow).

The sale's highest-priced filly was also the second-highest purchase overall.

Topping the leader board on September 11 was a $2.2 million Indian Charlie

half-sister to Grade 1 winners Take Charge Indy (A.P. Indy) and Will Take Charge

(Unbridled's Song) who was gaveled down to Whisper Hill Farm. Hill 'n' Dale

Sales Agency, agent, consigned the January 12 foal, who sported Hip 541.

Take Charge Indy, who suffered a career-ending injury in the July 28 Monmouth

Cup (G2), retired with a mark of 14-3-4-2, $1,103,496. Winner of the 2012

Florida Derby (G1) and May 3 Alysheba S. (G2), he placed in five other graded

stakes including the Donn H. (G1) and Clark H. (G1).

Will Take Charge earned his biggest win to date in the August 24 Travers S.

(G1) for trainer D. Wayne Lukas. Also victorious in the Rebel S. (G2) and Smarty

Jones S. earlier this term, the sophomore is expected to take his 12-4-2-0,

$1,265,371, mark into the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G2) on September 21.

All three were produced by the multiple Grade 1-winning Take Charge Lady (Dehere),

an earner of more than $2.4 million. Winner of nine stakes, Take Charge Lady

earned her signature wins in two renewals of the Spinster S. (G1) as well as the

Ashland S. (G1).

A colt and a filly tied for the highest price on the final day, each selling

for $65,000.

First up was the colt, a gray son of Hold Me Back out of dual stakes-placed

Living Fully (Wolf Power). Consigned by Scott Mallory, agent, Hip 3669 was

purchased by Joe Novogratz.

The Kentucky-bred, born April 19, 2012, comes from the same family as Grade 3

score Noble Michael (Our Michael). He was a $3,200 RNA earlier this year as a

Keeneland January yearling.

The filly, consigned by Paramount Sales, agent, as Hip 3806, was bought by

Eisaman Equine. Named BELLA LOCA (Belong to Me), she is out of Wild Country

(Unbridled), making her a half-sister to two-time stakes-placed Kens Cape (Cape

Town).

The dark bay filly, who was foaled February 4, 2012, in Kentucky, is from the

same female line as Grade 1 queen Minstrel's Lassie (The Minstrel).

Saturday's final day, which didn't have a corresponding session in 2012, saw

195 yearlings bring a total $2,913,200 for an average of $14,939 and an $11,000

median.

For the complete catalog and results, please visit

keeneland.com.