Racehorses Popular at November Sale
The horses of racing age offered during the Keeneland November Sale long have been popular with racing entities and trainers who recognize the tremendous opportunities they present to purchase accomplished runners and those with the potential for success. Based on sustained demand for racehorses, Keeneland in 2021 emphasized this segment of the market by dedicating the final session of the November Sale to horses of racing age. The move resonated with buyers and sellers, and this year racehorses will have a stand-alone auction on Nov. 17, the day following the final session of the November Breeding Stock Sale.
November Horses of Racing Age Sale Key Facts
Entry Deadline for Print Catalog Sept. 30
Supplemental Entries will be considered until sale day
Buyers will have a dynamic online catalog featuring DRF & Equibase PPs, Thoro-Graph and Ragozin sheets, videos and more for each horse entered
Led by the $825,000 paid by retired University of Louisville Men’s Basketball Coach Denny Crum for Strava, the 2021 November Sale recorded 24 racehorses changing hands for $100,000 or more. The ability to add talented and promising stock to their racing stables clearly motivated buyers and contributed to the vibrant sale.
The November Horses of Racing Age sale is perfectly positioned on the calendar between the fall and winter racing seasons. It gives owners/trainers – both buying and selling – the opportunity to reassess their stables as they transition for winter racing.
Recent graded stakes winners sold as Horses of Racing Age
Shedaresthedevil: A $280,000 purchase in 2019, she went on to win the 2020 Kentucky Oaks and become a multiple Grade 1 winner
Stolen Base: $335,000 purchase in 2021 won the American Turf (G2) in 2022
Bob and Jackie: $190,000 purchase in 2020 won the San Gabriel S. (G3) in 2021
Combatant: $220,000 purchase in 2019 won the Santa Anita H. (G1) in 2020
From Flashy Debut to Sale Standout
Strava, the 2021 $825,000 sale-topper during the horses of racing age portion of the November Sale, advanced from a flashy victory in his career debut at Keeneland a month prior to the sale to being purchased by a Hall of Fame college basketball coach, who was accompanied by trainer Dallas Stewart. A precocious son of leading sire Into Mischief, Strava was consigned by WinStar Racing, agent.
I wanted a good horse, and I think we got one. It cost us a little more than I thought it would but still, (he is) the best horse here.
ELiTE Support for Racehorse Segment
With more than 500 horses under management through their BSW Bloodstock, Bradley Weisbord and Liz Crow give clients the opportunity to sell through their ELiTE sales company. Not only did it sell the 2021 November Sale topper Paris Lights (IRE) for $3.1 million during Book 1, ELiTE was among the most active consignors to the horses of racing age segment of the auction.
We plan to be extremely active in this space this year. We really feel horses with pedigree stand out at Keeneland.
From Sales Ring to Grade 2 Winner
Entered in the horses of racing age segment of the 2021 November Sale, the Bodemeister colt Stolen Base had a solid resume. His accomplishments included a second-place effort in the Castle & Key Bourbon (G2) at Keeneland a month prior to the sale. Purchased by trainer Mike Maker on behalf of Three Diamonds Farm and Deuce Greathouse for $335,000 from Bluewater Sales, Stolen Base won the American Turf (G2) at Churchill Downs in May.
‘A Big, Lovely Filly’
Another stakes winner of 2022 who sold in the horses of racing age portion of the 2021 November Sale is Cinnabunny, a $240,000 purchase by Greg and Caroline Bentley from ELiTE. The Pennsylvania-bred daughter of Golden Lad has won two stakes for her new connections and trainer Cal Lynch, who is based at Fair Hill Training Center in Maryland.
