McKinzie Colt Tops Session at Keeneland September

McKinzie made a strong showing on the seventh day of Keeneland's September Yearling Sale, when Reeves Thoroughbred Racing went to $475,000 for a colt by the young sire Sept. 16. The session-topping colt is out of the Smart Strike mare Ruby Trust. Hip 2197 was bred in Kentucky by Gainesway Thoroughbreds, which consigned the colt. McKinzie is off to a strong start with his first crop of 2-year-olds, already having a grade 1 winner in Chancer McPatrick, winner of the Hopeful Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course. "I thought (Hip 2197) was a standout today in the sale, his physical was really great," said Danny Gargan, who trains for Dean and Patti Reeves. "Jimmy (Gladwell) and I looked at him together. And we've been trying to get some (Kentucky) Derby-type quality horses, and we think he fits what we're trying to do. "Dean watched the videos and looked at the pictures online. Jimmy and I have been trying to buy a certain kind of horse for Dean and Patti to have chances to be in the classic races, and we'd like to thank Patti and Dean for giving us this opportunity to buy physicals and buy the type of horses that we like." In addition to Chancer McPatrick, McKinzie also has McKinzie Street, who was a game second in the Del Mar Futurity (G1) Sept. 7. McKinzie is ranked fifth on the first-crop sire list. "We think McKinzie has a huge future as a stallion, and we love the horse physically, and we're just lucky that we were the ones able to buy him," Gargan said. Brian Graves, general manager of Gainesway, said: "He was a Book 3 colt in Book 4, he was beautifully balanced, big hip, long neck, everything you'd like to see. He's a real good mover, and all the end-users found him." McKinzie also had the third highest-priced yearling of the day with Hip 2257, a colt out of the Tapit mare Tapany. His dam is a half sister to millionaire Tizway, winner of the Whitney Handicap (G1) at Saratoga in 2011. The colt sold to West Bloodstock, agent for Repole Stable, for $400,000. Ben McElroy went to $425,000 on behalf of AMO Racing for Hip 2116, the day's highest-priced filly. She is by Maxfield out of the Exceed and Excel mare Marwa (GB). She was consigned by Runnymede Farm and bred in Kentucky by Runnymede Farm, Falguieres Bloodstock, and Gestut Zur Kuste Ag, et. Amo Racing has been very active during the September Sale, with eight yearlings purchased. During Book 1, Amo purchased an American Pharoah filly for $1.35 million and a half sister to champion 2-year-old Nyquist, by Curlin, for $1.2 million. "It was a good cross physically, and on paper as well, between Maxfield and the mare, who's bringing a lot of power and speed with Exceed and Excel," said Romain Malhouitre, president of Runnymede Farm. Maxfield has had a great sale, topping the sixth session and getting a pair of yearlings that sold for $1 million apiece during Book 1. "(Maxfield) is a lovely, lovely horse himself," Malhouitre said. "He was a hell of a 2-year-old, (trainer) Brendan (Walsh) was always very high on him. He was always so good through his career that I'm not completely surprised that he's well received here at the sales. "For us (the market) has been great. It looks strong, but it's the same. It's always a little bit polarized around here, like everywhere else in the world, but if you have the good horses that you bring in, you know the right horses, you're getting paid for it." Total gross for the opening day of Book 4 was $25,234,000 for 288 yearlings, down less than 1% from the same session a year ago when 321 yearlings dropped the hammer. Monday's average of $87,618 was up 11% from last year's Book 4 opener, and the media of $70,000 was also up double digits (13%). There were 83 RNAs Monday, a 22% clip, up from 51 a year ago (14%). Gainesway again topped the list as leading consignor, with McKinzie topping the sire list. He had nine yearlings sell for a gross of $1,743,000. "I think (the market) is incredibly strong here, if you have something that looks athletic, the prices are incredibly strong," said Graves. The leading buyer for the second day in a row was trainer Kenny McPeek, who made six more purchases for a total of $935,000. The Keeneland September Sale continues Sept. 17 at 10 a.m. ET with Hips 2391-2809 to go through the ring. As of Monday evening, Keeneland reported 42 outs for the eighth session.