The Keeneland September yearling sale continues through Friday. Keeneland Photo.
Calumet Farm looked to expand its powerhouse racing stable with two New York-bred yearling purchases from Book Four at the Keeneland September yearling sale Monday and Tuesday in Lexington, Ky.
The far-flung Kentucky operation of owner Brad Kelley – fourth on the national earnings list this year with more than $4.5 million – spent $190,000 to buy Hip 1979, a Laoban colt consigned by Woods Edge Farm and bred by McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds and Dean Purdom. The dark bay colt, the leading New York-bred of the book, had sold for $120,000 at Keeneland January. His dam Making a Point, an unraced daughter of Freud and the stakes-placed Point Reyes, has produced two winners from three foals to race including five-time winner and $197,784 earner Moonachie. Moonachie, a son of Central Banker, has won three times this year – once each at Aqueduct, Finger Lakes and Saratoga.
Calumet went to $160,000 to buy Hip 1995, a Speightstown colt from Eaton Sales. Bred by Joe Fafone, the bay colt is a half-brother to winners Gold Pass and Iona Mobe. Their dam, Miss Vigilance, raced just once, but is a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Man From Wicklow and Grade 2 winner Wild Heart Dancing.
Buffolo Bloodstock bought the highest-priced New York-bred filly of Book Four, going to $175,000 to purchase Hip 2086 from Michael and Julia O’Quinn’s consignment. Bred by Magic Cap Stables, the daughter of Practical Joke and the Tale of the Cat mare Snap Cat sold for $87,000 at Keeneland January. The dark bay filly is from the family of stakes winners March X Press and Harlan’s Honor.
Early in Monday’s session, Quarter Pole Enterprises spent $150,000 on Hip 1927, a Goldencents colt from the Woods Edge consignment. Bred by Spruce Lane Farm et al, the bay colt sold for $55,000 at Keeneland January. His dam Ida Clark won twice and has produced four winners, led by stakes winner and course record setter Black Stetson. A son of More Than Ready, Black Stetson won the 2018 Bridgetown Stakes at Aqueduct in a quick 1:07.84 for 6 furlongs on the turf. The family also includes graded winner For Rubies and stakes winner Chasin Tiger.
The seven New York-breds to sell in Book Four also included an $85,000 Laoban filly to Pick View; a $65,000 Laoban filly to Joel Politi; and a $60,000 Maclean’s Music colt to Michael Lewis. A Bolt d’Oro filly didn’t meet her reserve at $70,000.
New York-breds averaged $126,429 (median of $150,000) with the overall Book Four averaging $74,987 and hitting a median of $52,000.
The sale continues through Friday.
