Opportunity Awaits in Keeneland HORA Sale

Keeneland hopes to build off the success of its just-completed and record-breaking Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale with its November Horses of Racing Age Sale. The single-session sale which begins Nov. 14 at noon ET features a catalog of 236 horses of racing age by some of the most sought-after stallions. "It's always a really good time of the year for racing programs," said Tony Lacy, vice president of sales at Keeneland. "The owners that raced horses during the summer, or have horses that might not fit the program anymore, are looking to restock." Sires such as Constitution, Curlin, Into Mischief, Nyquist, and even international sires Dubawi (IRE), Zoustar (AUS), and No Nay Never are represented in the catalog. Also included in the sale is the dispersal of the estate of John Hendrickson, husband of the late Marylou Whitney. Gainesway is handling the consignment, and among the standouts are homebred Alyeska, a 2-year-old daughter of Vekoma, who broke her maiden on first asking Sept. 20 at Churchill Downs. She is out of the Giant's Causeway mare Gull Island, who is a half sister to grade 2 winner Bird Song, both out of 2003 champion 3-year-old filly and Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Bird Town. Alyeska is offered as a racing or broodmare prospect. "We've got some highlight horses like Alyeska, a 2-year-old maiden winner at Churchill (Downs), she's a really prime offering," said Cormac Breathnach, director of sales operations at Keeneland. "We've got a lot of interest, a lot of inquiries, and international markets that are pursuing the catalog and asking the right questions." ELiTE brings a draft of 33 horses to the sale, including many racing, broodmare, and stallion prospects, by desired stallions such as Arrogate, Curlin, Good Magic, and Tapit. Hip 4122, Fazools, is a 3-year-old filly by Curlin, out of the Ghostzapper mare Hot Cash, who is a stakes-placed full sister to grade 1 winner Stately Victor. "It's a great opportunity to restock; whether it's a starter allowance level, or up to allowance/stakes level, we've got something for everybody in every price range," said Lacy. "That's important to us as well, making sure there's good diversity through the offerings." "We're very excited about the sale tomorrow," Breathnach added. "The racing and purses are what drive a lot of the economic benefits that we're seeing at the yearling sales and breeding sales. We've got a strong catalog." As of Nov. 13, Keeneland has reported 114 outs.