Some five hours into Book 1 of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale Nov. 5 in Lexington, a trio of mares each sold for $1.5 million.
The first two to sell, hot-off-the-track Hidden Connection and Shotgun Hottie, were sold as racing or broodmare prospects, while established broodmare Krissy's Candy rounded out the high-priced trio. (Earlier in the session, Walkathon drew the same price as the four tied as the fourth highest-priced horses during Book 1.)
Spendthrift Farm landed Hidden Connection, a grade 3 winner at 2 who placed in seven other stakes in her four years of racing. Bred in Kentucky by St. Simon Place, Hidden Connection is a daughter of Connect —C J's Gal, by Awesome Again. She was consigned by Hidden Brook, agent.
"I loved the physical especially, and I loved the talent," said Spendthrift general manager Ned Toffey. "There's enough pedigree there, but she was a really, really talented filly and she’s got the physical to go with it. We’ve had good luck buying that kind in the past."
Toffey said they have not decided on breeding plans for Hidden Connection's first mating but noted that she'll be a good fit for a number of stallions.
Case Clay Thoroughbred Management purchased Shotgun Hottie, who was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency. Bred in Kentucky by Vincent Colbert, the 5-year-old daughter of Gun Runner —Re Entry, by Malibu Moon won four stakes, including the 2023 Molly Pitcher (G3) and placed in eight other stakes in four seasons of racing.
"She’s a beautiful Gun Runner; she has a lot of quality about her," Clay said. "A great race record, she has a lot of quality. I’m a big fan of all things Gun Runner. She ran some great speed numbers and trainer Cherie DeVaux did a great job with her."
Krissy's Candy, dam of last year's Hopeful Stakes (G1) winner Nutella Fella, went to Jane Lyon's Summer Wind Equine. Consigned by Ashview Farm, the 10-year-old placed daughter of Candy Ride has produced two winners from as many starters and was sold in foal to Not This Time .
"She was an outcross. Candy Ride is an outcross," Lyon said of the mare she plans to send to Flightline . "I thought she was a lovely mare and she’s already produced a winner and she’s not that old. A lot of them have been a little older than I was willing to go."
