A pair of Nyquist colts topped the fourth session of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, both surpassing the $1 million mark Sept. 12 as the depth of the buying base and quality of yearlings held up through the finish of Book 2.
"We just really want to thank the breeders and consignors that supported us. This is a great crop of yearlings. They've been very generous in what they've sent to us to catalog," said Cormac Breathnach, director of sales operations at Keeneland.
Maverick Racing, China Horse Club, and Siena Farm became the first buyers to break into seven-figure territory on Day 4 in Lexington, going to $1.3 million for a Nyquist colt (Hip 984) out of the Bernardini winner Spa Treatment, who is a daughter of grade 1-placed stakes winner Silver Knockers.
Hip 984 was consigned by Blake-Albina Thoroughbred Services for breeders Springhouse Farm and Hunter Valley Farm.
"We've always liked him (Hip 984), he's a big beautiful colt, and he moves well, and he carries himself well. We knew we'd have some people on him, we just didn't know how far anybody was gonna go," said Ron Blake of Blake-Albina Thoroughbreds.
"Obviously Nyquist over Bernardini is a great cross. One of our favorites of the whole sale, Book 1, Book 2, didn't matter. We were very bullish on him," said Elliott Walden of WinStar Farm, who signed the ticket on behalf of the buying partnership.
"He's that kind of horse," Blake said in response to Walden's comment. "He could be anything. I really thank them for purchasing the horse; they stepped up."
Among Nyquist's top performers this year is Immersive, recent winner of the Spinaway Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course. She is out of the Bernardini mare Gap Year. Other graded winners by Nyquist bred on the same cross include 2020 Summer Stakes (G1T) winner and Canadian champion 2-year-old colt Gretzky the Great , Lexington Stakes (G3) winner Encino, and Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) victor Nysos.
Nyquist, the 2015 champion 2-year-old male by Uncle Mo , has had a remarkable year both on the track and in the sales ring. In addition to Immersive, he has been represented by undefeated Tenma, who won the Sept. 7 Del Mar Debutante Stakes (G1); Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1) victress Randomized; and Shoemaker Mile Stakes (G1T) winner Johannes.
"There are a lot of people who liked that horse (Hip 984), and now they're going to have to run against him," said Blake.
Darley's Nyquist was represented by a second seven-figure yearling in the closing hour of Day 4 when John Stewart's Resolute Bloodstock went to $1.2 million for Hip 1114, a Nyquist colt consigned by Indian Creek as agent.
County Line Farm bred the colt in Kentucky out of the Candy Ride daughter Candy Swap, who is a full sister to 2010 Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner and sire Sidney's Candy and grade 3 winner Sweet Swap. From four foals of racing age, Candy Swap has produced stakes winner Bluegrass Parkway (Quality Road ), who set a track record going 1 1/4 miles on turf when winning the 2021 Kentucky Downs Preview Turf Cup Stakes at Ellis Park.
"The stallion speaks for himself; he can do no wrong right now. He's (Hip 1114) got a really nice pedigree, classic-distance type of horse, and I think he's one that is not even close to at his best right now. He's a beautiful mover, it'll be really fun to watch him and follow along," said Indian Creek's Sarah Sutherland.
When asked what stood out about Hip 1114 she said: "His movement and his energy. He's just one of those horses that really shows that he wants to do it. I think he's going to want to train and move forward in everything that he does. He never got tired, he's a very feel-good type of colt. He didn't let us down at all."
The average for the fourth session was $286,103 from 223 head sold for a gross of $63,801,000. The median was $250,000. Of the 317 yearlings that went through the ring, 94 were bought back, resulting in an RNA rate of 29.7%.
"For us it's been wonderful, I think the horses, if you are in the right spot, things line up very well, and you're rewarded handsomely. The market's very strong for those top horses. I think it will continue to trickle down," said Sutherland.
"I think it shows if we create that consistency with the quality in front of the right buyers, it creates a vibrant market that is consistent and feeds off itself. I really feel like it gives confidence to the breeders to feel like they can invest in the broodmares and go forward," said Tony Lacy, vice president of sales at Keeneland.
Taylor Made was leading consignor with a gross of $8,180,000 from 34 horses sold. Resolute was the leading buyer of the day with three purchases for a total of $2,550,000. The leading sire by gross was Not This Time , with 18 sold for a total of $6,270,000. Gun Runner was a close second with a gross of $6,100,000 from 16 sold.
"A lot of people are saying, I can't get anything bought. It's tough, it's so strong. So, I hope that continues on, and there's going to be quality horses all the way through here. We just got to kind of stick around and keep working," said Sutherland.
The Keeneland September Yearling Sale continues Sept. 14 at 10:00 am ET with hips 1133-1550 to go through the ring for the fifth session and the beginning of Book 3. As of Thursday evening, Keeneland reported 34 outs.
