A Sale of Its Own
Success in Thoroughbred racing often comes down to being presented with opportunities and taking advantage of them. Desire by owners and trainers for an opportunity to buy and sell racehorses in late fall led Keeneland to establish a one-day Horses of Racing Age Sale following the annual November Breeding Stock Sale.
The new sale began organically, since racehorses had grown in popularity when interspersed with weanlings and breeding stock throughout the November Sale. Reacting to that demand, Keeneland decided to segment those horses in a sale of its own, targeting horsemen and horsewomen seeking to replenish the stock in their stables or capitalize on timely racing updates.
Demand for ready-to-run horses is stronger than ever. We want to try to facilitate that demographic as much as possible.
Off to a Good Start
172 horses sold
$11.8 million gross receipts
$68,648 average price
$36,000 median
Seven Figure Into Mischief Colt on Top
A then 2-year-old colt by leading sire Into Mischief topped the bid board at $1 million, with agent Mick Wallace signing on behalf of Gandharvi Racing, which bought out partner China Horse Club to secure full ownership of the colt later named Extortion. CHC and Gandharvi had previously purchased the colt for $350,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
Partnership Horses Boost Highgate
Boosted by the China Horse Club/Gandharvi contingent, the nascent Highgate Sales entity of Jacob West and Jill Gordon was the HORA Sale’s leading consignor, with 15 head sold for an aggregate $3.383 million.
China Horse Club Led Buying Base
China Horse Club was the HORA Sale’s leading buyer with four head bought for $1.385 million, including the second- and third-highest priced offerings, both then 2-year-olds from the partnership with Gandharvi. CHC went to $560,000 for Tactical Joke, a Practical Joke filly, and acquired Hazon, a Street Sense colt.
China Horse Club was one of our supporters early (after Highgate was formed). The horses came to us in great shape.
Strong Market for Good Racehorses
Many of the horses bought out of the HORA Sale were targeted for late fall/winter race meets. The stakes-placed Paynter filly Lovemesomeme, purchased for $350,000 by L&L Racing, with Clay Scherer as agent, was destined for the Oaklawn Park meet in Arkansas.
The market has been very strong for good racehorses and it continued today.
