Pinhookers were rewarded handsomely in Book 2 of the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, as 57 pinhooks sold for a total of $14,245,000 during the Sept. 15-16 sessions in Lexington.
Wednesday's session three outperformed session four on Thursday in terms of gross profit, while session four was more profitable in terms of return on investment.
There were 34 pinhooks sold for $8,395,000 during session three, with nine prospects failing to meet their reserve. In aggregate, those 34 that sold were purchased for $4,746,000, yielding a gross profit of $3,649,000 and 76.9% return on investment.
Meanwhile, session four saw 23 pinhooks sell for a total of $5,850,000 with 11 hopefuls failing to meet their reserve. In aggregate, those 23 yearlings were previously purchased for $2,883,000, thus generating $2,967,000 in gross profit and a return of 102.9%.
Brookstone Farm and St George Sales cashed in big with Hip 1079, who set a record for the highest-priced Practical Joke yearling ever to sell at public auction. The $105,000 2021 Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale purchase brought $750,000 from Talla Racing.
Brady Bloodstock collected Book 2's second-largest pinhook paycheck, selling the Woods Edge Farm-consigned Hip 723 for $650,000 to M.V. Magnier. The City of Light colt out of a stakes-producing Mr. Greeley mare was previously purchased for $235,000 at The November Sale, Fasig-Tipton's marquee breeding stock sale, in 2020. Magnier must have an affinity for the pinhooker's eye, as he took home two Brady proteges from Woods Edge, having previously bought Hip 667, a Gun Runner colt out of a rookie Into Mischie f mare that went for $425,000. Brady put up $150,000 for him at the 2020 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale.
Perhaps the sharpest play of Book 2 went to JC Bloodstock, who bought Hip 473, a Twirling Candy filly out of stakes-placed producer Noble Grey, for $30,000 at the 2020 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale and returned him to this year's September sale where he brought $220,000 from Meah-Lloyd Bloodstock. He was bred by H & E Ranch. The sale generated a 633% return on their investment, the second-highest of any pinhook prospect sold in Book 2.
Lamar Stables turned water into wine with Hip 713. The Gainesway-bred Bolt d'Oro colt sold for $475,000 to William K. Warren Jr. Lamar put up a principal of $80,000 at the 2020 Keeneland November Sale for the colt out of a Distorted Humor mare.
Other notable pinhooks included Hips 564 ($175,000) and 831 ($170,000), which generated returns of 447% and 386%, respectively. Their previous owners and breeders were Flip or Flop Sales/Theta Holding I and Little Run/Hidden Brook, respectively.
