Keeneland has revealed that Expensive Queen (IRE), a Grade 1 winner who claimed the prestigious Jenny Wiley Stakes at Keeneland earlier this year, will be part of Book 1 at the November Breeding Stock Sale on Tuesday, November 3. The 5-year-old daughter of renowned international sire Lope de Vega will be consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency as both a potential racing and broodmare prospect.
Expensive Queen has proven herself as a top turf mare in North America, boasting four wins from just five U.S. races so far. She remains undefeated in 2026, achieving a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 95 during her victory in the Jenny Wiley. She is also entered in the $800,000 Grade 1 First Lady Stakes at Keeneland’s Fall Stars weekend.
This well-traveled mare has triumphed at notable venues such as Gulfstream Park, Fair Grounds, and Keeneland. At Fair Grounds, she set a stakes record by winning the Albert M. Stall Memorial by 2¼ lengths. Her subsequent start in the Jenny Wiley resulted in a thrilling dead heat with Segesta after a fiercely contested battle down the stretch.
Expensive Queen’s sire, Lope de Vega, stands at Ballylinch Stud in Ireland with a stud fee of €200,000 and is recognized as one of the world’s leading international sires. A classic winner himself, the Shamardal son has sired over 25 Group/Grade 1 winners and more than 275 stakes horses globally. Lope de Vega’s impact is also growing significantly as a broodmare sire; in 2026, his daughters produced notable Grade 1 winners Benvenuto Cellini (Irish Derby) and Item (Juddmonte International), both by superstar Frankel, showcasing the strong appeal of his female progeny when matched with elite stallions.
Mark Taylor, President and CEO of Taylor Made Sales Agency, praised Expensive Queen’s exceptional physical qualities, saying she is nearly flawless. He highlighted her balance, substance, powerful hip, athletic movement, and commanding presence, all attributes expected from a Grade 1 winner. Taylor believes these qualities, combined with her racing achievements, pedigree, and Lope de Vega’s rising influence as a broodmare sire, position her to be an outstanding producer. Additionally, he noted she remains a viable racing prospect for interested buyers.
Expensive Queen hails from an esteemed international female bloodline. She is a full sister to multiple Group 3 winner Antonia de Vega and Group-placed Luckin Brew and Al Haarith. Her dam, Witches Brew, a stakes-placed daughter of Duke of Marmalade, is a half-sister to Al Wukair, winner of the Grade 1 Prix Jacques le Marois and placed in the English Two Thousand Guineas. Their third dam, Caerlina (IRE), won the Grade 1 Prix de Diane (French Oaks).
Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy emphasized that Expensive Queen’s story embodies the essence of Keeneland’s mission. Having made her North American debut with a win at Keeneland, then returning to win a Grade 1 Jenny Wiley, and now coming back for the November sale, her journey beautifully links racing and sales. Lacy expressed pride in presenting such a high-caliber mare to buyers worldwide.
The online catalog for the November Breeding Stock Sale will be available starting Tuesday, September 29. The auction spans nine sessions, running from Tuesday, November 3 through Wednesday, November 11, followed by the separate November Horses of Racing Age Sale.
This report was first published by Paulick Report on September 25, 2026, in their News section.
Fan Take: This announcement is significant for horse racing fans because it highlights the transition of a top-class turf mare from elite racing to potential broodmare legacy, a pivotal moment that can influence future generations of champions. It also underscores Keeneland’s unique role at the intersection of racing and breeding, reinforcing the sport’s continual renewal and the excitement of discovering the next wave of equine talent.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
