Spangled Banner, whose 2-year-old son U. S. S. Valor won the Oct. 3 Champagne (G1) at Belmont Park by an impressive 6½ lengths, made history on the fifth day of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale by selling for $1 million to Al Ruwais Stables. Carrying a foal by Tiz the Law, a half-sibling to U. S. S. Valor, Spangled Banner became the first horse to fetch seven figures during Session 5 of this auction.
Offered by Bluewater Sales as an agent, the 15-year-old mare is a winning daughter of Tiz Wonderful. She hails from the family of Grade 1 winner Curalina and is out of Eastern Echo mare Eastern Ruckus. Additionally, she is a half-sister to stakes winner Ladyecho.
This sale marked the 25th horse this year to reach or exceed $1 million at the November Breeding Stock Sale, compared to 18 such sales in 2025. On Saturday, Keeneland sold 246 horses for a total of $21,397,000, averaging $86,980 with a median price of $70,000. While the gross was down 15.52% from $25,328,500 in 2025, the median also fell 17.65% from $85,000.
After five days, 1,038 horses have been sold for a combined $217,742,700, averaging $209,772 with a median of $115,000. This total represents a 1.34% increase over the $214,871,000 generated from 1,125 horses sold at this point last year. The average rose by 9.83% from $190,996, although the median slipped 11.54% from $130,000.
The highest-priced weanling of the day was a colt by Tiz the Law, bought by Tioga Bloodstock for $375,000. This colt, out of Teasin’ Tesla (by Will Take Charge), was consigned by Blandford Stud (Padraig Campion) and comes from a family boasting Grade 1 winners Cotton Blossom and Ceiling Crusher, Grade 2 winner Moana, and Grade 3 winner Vicarage.
Wellston, whose half-sister Sister Troienne won Keeneland’s Bank of America Valley View (G2) on Oct. 23, sold in foal to Sierra Leone to Springland Farm for $335,000. Consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, this 4-year-old daughter of Speightstown belongs to a family that includes Grade 1 winners Sadler’s Joy and Sabin, as well as multiple Grade 3 winners. Her dam, Dyna Passer, was a winning stakes-placed daughter of Lemon Drop Kid.
A Golden Pal weanling filly sold for $285,000 to Caitlin Dunne, agent for Wesley Ward. Out of Dawn Chorus, a winning daughter of Unbridled’s Song, she represents the family of champion Countess Diana and several other stakes winners.
Shared Value, a 3-year-old Gun Runner filly in foal to Mindframe, sold to Four Star Sales for $280,000. She is out of Grade 2 winner Salamera (by Successful Appeal) and hails from a lineage featuring stakes winners and Grade 1-placed runners Outadore and Piedi Bianchi.
Two other horses brought $260,000 each: a Vekoma weanling colt purchased by Cavalier Bloodstock, from the family of champions Housebuster and Straight No Chaser; and Tahini, a 5-year-old American Pharoah filly with stakes placings, bought by Machmer Hall. Tahini is out of Arch mare More Fun Again and descends from a family of graded stakes winners.
Al Ruwais Stables was the leading buyer, acquiring two horses for a total of $1,110,000. Their second purchase, Wild Mint—a 12-year-old Medaglia d’Oro mare in foal to Mindframe—sold for $110,000. Wild Mint, a full sister to top sire Violence, was consigned by KatieRich Farms.
Gainesway led consignors, selling 39 horses for $3,364,000.
This report was first published by Paulick Report on Nov. 8, 2026.
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Fan Take: This milestone sale highlights the increasing value and excitement around top-quality bloodstock, signaling strong confidence in the future of Thoroughbred racing. For fans, it means more thrilling talent on the track and the continued growth of a sport driven by exceptional breeding and competition.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
