The Keeneland spring meet comes to a close April 29 after a full day of racing, but the excitement will continue into the evening with the April Horses of Racing Age Sale. This year 103 horses in current form have been cataloged for the one-day event, which begins at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Last year 48 horses went under the hammer April 26, with 37 head changing hands for gross receipts of $2,440,000. A median price of $45,000 was established, with an average of $65,946. There were 11 horses who failed to meet their reserve to represent an RNA rate of 22.9%.
"Last year, the sale fell on Derby week, so I think the action and attention had already left to go to Louisville," said Tony Lacy, vice president of sales for Keeneland. "We felt it was a little inconvenient for our customers to be able to focus on the sale. We got disconnected from the race meet and what we're doing across the laneway. This is an excellent way to capture the atmosphere, the enthusiasm, and tie the two entities together, showing how the sale embodies everything we do."
The April Sale gives buyers the opportunity to pick up a ready-made athlete for summer racing and beyond.
"I think it's been well-received," Lacy said. "The barns are very active. We've had a lot of interest from the Middle East, from all over North America. I think it's gaining traction and it is something we want to build on going forward."
Walking around the barns, you will see stalwart consignors and a few trainers offering pupils from their current string. There are also horses that will go under the block virtually, located at their home tracks.
"Western River (Hip 16), is a full brother to Creator; Rodolphe Brisset, picked him up in the back ring here at the September Sale for $30,000. A few weeks ago at Oaklawn Park, he won extremely aggressively, running an 87 Beyer and breaking his maiden," said Cormac Breathnach, Keeneland's director of sales operations. "He's a horse that is eligible for the Peter Pan Stakes (G3). He has a beautiful physical and a star attraction.
"The 5-year-old mare Acting Out (Hip 23) with Taylor Made Sales Agency won the Carousel Stakes a couple of weeks ago at Oaklawn," he added. "She's got real ability and is ready to peak in her form cycle. She could be a fun mare all year long with good residual value.
"One of the key additions to our supplement is B Dawk (Hip 103); he roared up the stretch here at Keeneland April 24; he got a 2 Thorograph and a 92 Beyer Speed Figure—which are spectacular numbers—and was ahead by 11 1/2 lengths. Bluewater Sales consigns him from barn 19, and he was our last addition to the supplement."
Buyers can pick up a sales catalog and additional pages in the sales pavilion. The last offering Friday evening will be a share in the exciting Airdrie sire Upstart , a son of Flatter.
are excited to welcome buyers back to Keeneland
"What we're excited about is the ability to attract people who have winners here at Keeneland to then be able to put those horses straight into the sale," Breathnach said. "Which is what happened with B Dawk, but also horses like Rational Choice (Hip 69) with ELiTE Sales and Shannon (Hip 100), who is being sold by trainer Ignacio Correas and his partner Andreas. Hip 102, Atras, that's the house horse from Vicki Heller's barn. He won a nice purse here at Keeneland and is on the upswing. Again, that's exciting for us to bring the two sides together."
The later start time for the sale not only allows racegoers to witness what the sales side of the industry is like; it gives trainers plenty of time to enjoy the last day of racing at Keeneland before swinging by for the evening session of selling.
"We never know where the next generation of owners and fans will come from. This is a way to celebrate world-class racing and put an exclamation point at the end, (along with) the opportunity for trainers to adjust their stables, either adding or cashing in heading into summer racing at different locations," Breathnach said.
As of Thursday evening, there are 31 horses withdrawn from the April 29 sale. Last year the stallion or racing prospect Crew Dragon topped the sale at $310,000, selling to David Ingordo for Hronis Racing. The stakes-placed son of Exaggerator was consigned by Lane's End, agent.
"The recent popularity in partnerships and syndicates is a great way for people to enjoy the activity here at Keeneland and get involved. It's an excellent way for somebody to walk in and buy a turn-key horse and have action in the next two to three weeks with a known quantity and something that gets people instant action," Lacy said. "So I think it's a great way as we look to build and develop our owner base. I think it's a great way for people to look at it as a way of an excellent entry point as well. Not only for the established owners, but potential owners; I think it's a great placement for them as well."
