American Pharoah colt tops yearling sale at Keeneland

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – Robust competition for Thoroughbred racing prospects among a global contingent of buyers continued Wednesday during the third session of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, where a colt from the first crop of 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah brought $1.4 million and six other yearlings sold for more than $1 million each.

Keeneland says the seven million-dollar sales increased the total number of yearlings sold for seven figures or more through the first three days of the 2018 September Sale to 20, eclipsing last year’s total of 13 for the entire auction and marking the highest number since 2007.

On Wednesday, Keeneland sold 151 yearlings for $52,883,000 for an average of $350,219 and a median of $270,000. Through the first three sessions, 457 yearlings have sold for a total of $167,338,000 for an average of $366,166 and a median of $280,000.

Larry Best’s OXO Equine purchased Wednesday’s highest-priced yearling, who was consigned by Sierra Farm. The colt is out of the multiple Grade 2-winnng Pulpit mare Bsharpsonata, purchased by Sierra for $375,000 at Keeneland’s 2016 November Breeding Stock Sale when she was carrying the session-topper.

Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Shadwell Estate Company Ltd. bought two of the day’s highest-priced yearlings.

Shadwell paid $1.2 million for a War Front filly bred by Mandy Pope’s Whisper Hill Farm. Consigned by Timber Town, agent, the filly is out of the Group 3-placed Galileo (IRE) mare Betterbetterbetter (IRE) and from the family of Irish highweights Yesterday (IRE) and Quarter Moon (IRE).

Shadwell was the session’s leading buyer, spending $5,195,000 for seven horses. Another purchase, at $1.2 million, was a colt by Medaglia d’Oro out of Irish stakes winner Bunairgead (IRE), by New Approach. He was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent.

Taylor Made Sales Agency was the leading consignor on Wednesday, selling 25 horses for $8,097,000.

A $1.1 million War Front colt from the family of Racing Hall of Famer Rags to Riches sold to China Horse Club/Maverick Racing, which bought undefeated 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify for $500,000 at the 2016 September Sale.

Lane’s End, agent, consigned the colt, who is out of the Street Cry (IRE) mare Tiffany’s Honour, a half-sister to Rags to Riches, Irish highweight Man of Iron, Belmont (G1) winner Jazil and Grade 2 winner Casino Drive. Streaming, from the same family, produced the sale-topping $2.4 million War Front colt sold Tuesday.

Trainer Chad Brown signed the ticket for the $1.1 million Quality Road colt purchased by White Birch Farm and Three Chimneys. Consigned by Indian Creek, agent, the colt is out of the Mineshaft mare What’smineismine, a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Spring Quality and Grade 3 winner Holiday Star.

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Godolphin paid $1.1 million for a daughter of Uncle Mo from the family of champion Lady Eli. Consigned by Runnymede Farm, agent, the Uncle Mo filly is out of Lady Eli’s Grade 3-winning half-sister Bizzy Caroline, by Afleet Alex.

Barbara Banke’s Stonestreet Stables spent $1.025 million for a daughter of Ghostzapper who is a full sister to Grade 1 winner Molly Morgan. Woods Edge Farm, agent, consigned the filly, who is out of the Distorted Humor mare Capitulation.

The September Sale runs through Sunday, Sept. 23, with the final Book 1 session beginning tomorrow at 1 p.m. ET.

No sale will be held Friday. The auction will resume Saturday with the first of the two-day Book 2 beginning at 10 a.m.

The entire sale is streamed live at Keeneland.com.