The 83rd November Breeding Stock Sale at Keeneland kicked off its nine-day event on Tuesday with Book 1 showcasing a handpicked selection of elite broodmare prospects, mares in foal to top stallions, and well-bred weanlings sired by renowned and rising sires. With 23 horses selling for $1 million or more—up from 17 last year—the first session generated nearly $96 million in sales, marking a 31.88% increase compared to the same period in 2025.
The highest-priced horse of the day was Quietside, a 4-year-old Grade 2 winner and Grade 1-placed millionaire daughter of Malibu Moon, carrying her first foal by Nyquist. Erdenheim Farm Thoroughbreds purchased her for $5.2 million, topping all buyers who spent $7.8 million on two horses, including $2.6 million on Grade 1 winner and millionaire Kilwin.
A total of 152 horses sold on the day for $95,929,000, averaging $631,112 with a median price of $400,000. While sales rose significantly, the average price increased by 5.85% from last year’s $596,205, and the median dipped slightly by 5.33% from $422,500.
Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin praised the event, calling it “an incredible day” and noting the deep catalog and diverse, engaged buyers contributed to an energetic and successful Book 1. Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy highlighted the strong buyer confidence and enthusiasm for quality stock, emphasizing the sale’s fundamental role in the breeding industry and commenting on Keeneland’s growing international reach and reputation.
Quietside, consigned by Stone Farm and out of Grade 2 winner Benner Island, is the most expensive mare sold at auction in North America this year. Lynn Hancock of Stone Farm shared excitement over the sale, reflecting on the mare’s outstanding qualities and Keeneland’s long-standing relationship with breeders.
Other notable sales included Ahavah, a Grade 2-placed winner in foal to Gun Runner, who sold for $4.8 million to Hill ‘n’ Dale at Xalapa, and Admit, a 4-year-old Grade 2 winner by Blame in foal to Life Is Good, bought for $3.1 million by M.V. Magnier and Peter Brant’s White Birch Farm. Flag Day, dam of Grade 3 winner Hall of Fame and carrying a Gun Runner sibling, sold for $2.9 million to Whisper Hill Farm.
Two horses fetched $2.6 million each: Kilwin (purchased by Erdenheim Farm) and On Time Girl, a 3-year-old Grade 2 winner by Not This Time acquired by agent David Lanigan for Heider Family Stables. Other highlights included Eve of War, sold for $2.4 million to Al Ruwais Stables, and Expensive Queen (IRE), a G1 winner who went to Godolphin for $2.1 million.
The top-selling weanling, a Justify colt full brother to G1 Two Thousand Guineas winner Ruling Court, sold for $1.3 million to M.V. Magnier and White Birch Farm. Nursery Place, the consignor, celebrated the colt’s promise, suggesting he might surpass the success of his older sibling.
Taylor Made Sales Agency led consignors with 34 horses sold for $22,885,000, including mares from the Aaron and Marie Jones dispersal, among them Sweet Kisses, a stakes-winning mare in foal to Into Mischief, which sold for $975,000.
The November Breeding Stock Sale continues Wednesday with Book 2, starting at 10 a.m. ET, and runs through Wednesday, Nov. 11. The Horses of Racing Age Sale follows on Thursday, Nov. 12, beginning at noon. All sessions are streamed live online at Keeneland.com.
Fan Take: This sale highlights the strong global interest and confidence in top-quality breeding stock, which is vital to sustaining and enhancing the future of thoroughbred racing. For fans, it signals that the sport’s foundation remains solid, with the next generations of champions already being carefully cultivated and highly valued worldwide.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
