By Richard Zwirn
At the conclusion of this, the highest-grossing sale in Keeneland history, the total number of New York-bred yearlings sold stood at seventy-two. There was an obvious demand for Empire State-bred stock, as there were only fifteen buybacks, resulting in an RNA rate of 17.2%, compared to 22.7% over the entire catalogue.
Other key indicators remained palatable. The average New York-bred yearling price was $50,683, while the median was $27,000.
The top-priced New York-Bred colt and filly of the sale both sold from Book Two during session three. The colt hails from the second crop of champion and multiple Grade 1 winner Game Winner. Born on January 21st, he is the seventh foal by D’fashion, who is also the dam of the stakes-winning Strategic Dreams and winners D’archer, Canyouhearmenow, Light and Path, and Garbar Boy.
The $450,000 ticket was signed by Cherie DeVaux, agent for Belladonna Racing. He was consigned by Paramount Sales and bred by Dr. Jerry Bilinski. Bilinski, who sold the colt for $180,000 at last year’s Keeneland November Breeding Stock sale to Big Bear Bloodstock, said, “I’m glad they were able to make money on it. I’m not upset because it’s going to go to a good place and a good place gives you more of a chance to make a runner.”
Bilinski has found success in the commercial market buying black-type mares with some age and then selling the ensuing foals as weanlings. “I bought D’fashion because she was middle-aged (12) already and you can get them at a better price. What I like about it – when your foal goes through the ring, it’s already got black type right there.”
Hip 798 was the top-priced New York-Bred filly of the twelve-day sale. The daughter of Nyquist and Falconess, a full sister to New York-Bred stakes winner Curly Girl, brought $350,000 from Dan Hayden, agent for Blue Devil Racing.
The dark bay filly was bred by Denlea Park LTD and consigned by St. George Sales. She is the eighth foal out of Falconess, who was purchased by Denlea Park in foal to Tapizar for $67,000 at the 2016 Keeneland November sale. In addition to Curly Girl, she is the dam of winners Bostonian, Coniston, Mabrook and Polpis.
There were a dozen New York-Bred yearlings that brought six figures in the sale. The highest-priced New York-sired yearling was by Honest Mischief (Hip 3981), bringing a hammer price of $43,000. The blaze-faced bay colt, bred by Juddmonte, is the first foal out of Ballacolla and was consigned by Lane’s End, Agent, and purchased by Glenn Lostritto.
Yearling sales continue in October in Maryland (Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Fall Yearlings on October 1), Florida (OBS October yearlings on October 8 & 9) and Kentucky (Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October Yearlings on October 21-24th). The Maryland sale has catalogued forty New York-Breds and the OBS head count is eighty-one.
