Zee Drop, a 10-year-old mare by Lemon Drop Kid and currently in foal to Flightline, fetched $1 million when purchased by Al Ruwais Stables, marking the highest sale price on the second day of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. Lane’s End, acting as the consignor, noted that Zee Drop became the 24th horse to surpass the $1 million mark during the first two sessions of this year’s sale, compared to 18 such sales during the same period last year.
So far this year, 362 horses have been sold totaling $135,464,000, with an average price of $374,210 and a median price of $225,000. This represents a 12.79% increase in gross sales compared to last year’s $120,099,000 from 357 horses sold. The average sale price increased by 11.24%, while the median price remained steady. On Wednesday alone, 210 horses brought in $39,535,000, averaging $188,262 with a median of $150,000. However, this session’s gross was down 16.53% from the previous year’s second day figure of $47,362,000; the average price dropped 6.59%, and the median decreased by 6.25%.
Keeneland’s Vice President of Sales, Tony Lacy, described the market as more cautious compared to the previous day’s enthusiastic turnout, but confirmed that well-bred horses still commanded good prices. Cormac Breathnach, Keeneland’s Senior Director of Sales Operations, added that the mare market has remained steady, with active pinhookers and a strong presence of volume buyers still seeking weanlings, indicating plenty of interest for the remainder of the sale.
Zee Drop, the top seller of the session, is the dam of Kokomotion—who finished third in this year’s Grade 3 Florida Oaks—and a half-sister to stakes winner The Reds. She descends from Ash Zee, a winning Grade 2-placed mare by Exchange Rate, and belongs to the family of Grade 1 winner Wickedly Perfect. Bertie Butler, representing buyer Saleh Al Otaibi, praised her quality and pedigree, expressing satisfaction with the purchase.
Al Ruwais Stables led buyers in the session with $2,455,000 spent across five horses. Three others tied as the second-highest-priced lots at $650,000 each. Runrate, a 4-year-old Gun Runner mare in foal to Nyquist, was acquired by Green Lantern Stables, owned by Richard and Sue Masson. Runrate comes from a prestigious bloodline, including Tapit mare Time to Tap and champions like Untapable, and was bought to enhance their broodmare band, according to Patrick Masson.
Mike Repole’s Repole Stable purchased Shandy, a 7-year-old Arrogate mare in foal to Army Mule, for $650,000. Shandy is the dam of stakes winner Tatters and is related to top performers like Grade 2 winner Tequilita and Grade 1 winner Offlee Wild. Repole Stable’s Danielle Bricker highlighted Shandy’s strong family and her fit within their breeding program.
Vincent and Teresa Viola’s St. Elias Stable paid $650,000 for Shop Lifting, a 5-year-old Into Mischief mare in foal to Yaupon. Shop Lifting descends from Grade 1 winner Miss Shop and is related to multiple graded stakes winners across grades 1, 2, and 3. Monique Delk noted the mare’s desirable physical attributes and suitability to their stallion roster.
Other notable sales included Heavenly Scat, a 10-year-old Scat Daddy mare in foal to Munnings and sibling to Grade 3 winner Nu What’s New, sold for $600,000 to Al Ruwais Stables; 3-year-old Tiger Stripes by Curlin, purchased by Winchester Farm for $525,000; and Grade 3-placed mare Don’t Bring Crazy, acquired by Claiborne Farm for $500,000.
The highest-priced weanling was a filly from Grade 1 winner Arabian Knight’s first crop, purchased by Frisco Bloodstock for $485,000. She is a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Seismic Beauty and comes from a lineage featuring multiple graded stakes winners.
The November Breeding Stock Sale will continue with the second session of Book 2 on Thursday at 10 a.m. ET, running until November 11, with all sessions beginning at 10 a.m. The following day, November 12, Keeneland will hold the November Horses of Racing Age Sale starting at noon. All events are streamed live on Keeneland.com.
Fan Take:
This sale highlights the ongoing strength and depth of the Thoroughbred breeding market, showcasing how top mares and bloodlines continue to command premium prices. For horse racing fans, these investments signal the potential emergence of future stars, shaping the sport’s competitive landscape for years to come.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
