Keeneland has announced that a 25% ownership interest in Bentornato, a leading candidate for the Nov. 1 Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) and earner of more than $1.2 million, will be offered at the second edition of the Keeneland Championship Sale, to be held in the Del Mar paddock Oct. 29, two days before the Breeders' Cup World Championships.
"The 25% stake in Bentornato is a unique opportunity for someone to buy into a Breeders' Cup contender and immediately have action on one of grandest stages for Thoroughbred racing anywhere in the world," Keeneland vice president of sales Tony Lacy said. "This is the type of innovative offering that characterizes the Championship Sale, which invites creativity to connect buyers with elite occasions."
A 4-year-old son of Valiant Minister , Bentornato is set to return to the Sprint after a gallant runner-up performance last year in which he battled the front-runner and grabbed command in midstretch. Bentornato was overtaken in the closing yards by Straight No Chaser to finish second.
Bentornato, who scored a 5 1/4-length victory in the Louisville Thoroughbred Society Stakes at Churchill Downs Sept. 13 in his lone start since the Breeders' Cup, has never finished worse than third in a 10-race career that includes six victories for trainer Jose D'Angelo. At age 2 in 2023 at Gulfstream Park, he captured his first four career races and excelled in one-turn stakes races for progeny of Florida-based stallions.
His 6-furlong win in the Louisville Thoroughbred Society in 1:08.43 earned him speed figures that rank him as one of the quickest dirt sprinters in the country.
"The consistency of his performances alongside his obvious talent makes him a hard-to-come-by individual and just a privilege to train," D'Angelo said. "I thought the way he came back at Churchill after a longer layoff was very impressive, and he just proved his class yet again. I feel like he's at the peak of his career this far, and I expect him to continue that into his 5-year-old campaign."
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Last year, Bentornato launched his 3-year-old campaign in the Saudi Derby (G3) and was a courageous third behind the victorious Forever Young, who went on to finish third in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). Bentornato was second in the 2024 Robert Hilton Memorial at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races and stepped up to the United States graded ranks with a game win in the Gallant Bob Stakes (G2) at Parx Racing as a prep for the Breeders' Cup.
About the Championship Sale
The Championship Sale invites buyers to compete at the pinnacle of the sport, from Breeders' Cup contenders and accomplished stakes performers to rare opportunities in stallion shares. The evening begins with a 5 p.m. PT cocktail reception, followed by the live sale at 6:30 p.m. PT.
Launched in 2024 when hosted at Del Mar, the Championship Sale is presented by Keeneland. The boutique sale unites the sport's top horsemen, breeders, and buyers in a setting designed to celebrate excellence at every level of Thoroughbred racing.
In addition to the 25% interest in Bentornato, this year's Championship Sale also features a stallion share in Not This Time and a lifetime breeding right to Nyquist —both previously announced. The entire catalog will be released in the coming weeks.
For more information about the Keeneland Championship Sale, including how to nominate, click here.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
