Weanling Sellers, Buyers Gravitate to Keeneland November
Breeders seeking to capitalize on the fervent market for foals know that the premier venue to achieve the highest return is the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale that attracts a critical mass of international buyers.
Buyers, wanting to purchase weanlings to either add to their racing programs early or to resell later, also find the November Sale as the best marketplace in which to find the best quality at the price.
Keeneland November Weanling Market: At a Glance
Highest priced weanling colt and filly in North America in 2021
Book 1 weanling average $249,027
Book 1 weanling median $190,000
Book 1 weanling clearance rate 77%
Results Underscore November Strength
There is no stronger proof of the strength of the November Sale’s weanling market, especially at the top end, than the results in 2021. Book 1, featuring the best bred and conformed foals, had the highest North American public auction weanling average of $249,027 and highest weanling median price of $190,000 in 2021. With an enviable Book 1 clearance rate of 77%, the highest-priced weanling filly and colt of 2021 were each sold at Keeneland November.
The beauty of buying at the November sale is the depth of the market. It’s a very competitive market. It’s the primary place to buy foals.
Frankel Filly Leads the Way
The top-priced weanling sold at public auction in North America in 2021 was a Frankel filly purchased by Phil Schoenthal, agent for Matt Dorman’s D. Hatman Thoroughbreds for $800,000. Descended from the female family of the family of European champion Dabirsim and Group 1 winner Bright Generation (IRE), the filly consigned to the Keeneland November Sale by Four Star Sales, agent, had all the attributes of a sale-topping foal.
We were all really excited and proud to sell our client's Frankel filly last fall as the highest priced weanling in North America. The Keeneland November sale always draws a truly diverse buyer base and is a great stage to present any horse to the world.
‘Very Well Bred Colt’
Top-priced weanling colt in North America in 2021 was also a product of Keeneland November, with Coolmore’s M.V. Magnier going to $625,000 for Just Before Dawn, a weanling colt by undefeated Triple Crown winner Justify. Consigned by Lane’s End, agent, Just Before Dawn is a half-brother to multiple Grade 1 winner Moonshine Memories. Justify stands at Coolmore’s North American division Ashford Stud.
This horse is very well-bred, and we have had a lot of luck with the family before. (He is) is by one of the best horses we have seen in America for a long time.
Hunter Valley Bullish on November Weanling Market
Hunter Valley Farm has consistently been among the leading consignors to the November Sale, with much of the farm’s success achieved by its weanlings. Hunter Valley sent through the sales ring the top-priced weanling at the 2020 November auction when Donato Lanni, agent, paid $600,000 for a Justify colt.
Year after year, domestic and international buyers & pinhookers enjoy shopping at Keeneland. With the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland, and a capacity crowd expected finally from all over the world, how could you not be optimistic about the November sale.
