Leading the way at the top of the weanling market during the Nov. 10 opening of Book 2 at the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale was colt by Ashford Stud's Triple Crown winner Justify , who was purchased for $475,000 on behalf of Coolmore's M.V. Magnier.
Consigned as Hip 298 by Nursery Place, agent, the bay was bred in Kentucky by Nursery Place, Manfuso, and Wilhite, out of the High Chaparral mare Inchargeofme, who ran third in the Old Forester Mint Julep Handicap (G3T) at Churchill Downs in 2018. Inchargeofme is a full sister to European grass runner Johann Strauss, who ran second in the Racing Post Trophy (G1) at Doncaster in 2013 and third in the Jebel Hatta Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1) at Meydan in 2015.
The mare is also a half sister to Mythical who ran third in the Criterium de Saint Cloud (G1) in 2019 and third in the Bahrain International Ballyroan Stakes (G3) at Leopardstown in 2020 for owners Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith.
"He's a beautiful-looking horse (Hip 298), and Justify is making very good foals," said Coolmore's David Wachman. "We're just excited to be able to buy a very nice horse by him. Across the board, they're very good, and he's a very smart horse, that horse. We're happy to have him."
Also making a splash on Tuesday was Hip 266, a colt by Claiborne Farm stallion Mastery out of Go Go Dana (by Malibu Moon). Consigned by Threave Main Stud, agent, the colt was purchased by Larry's Best's OXO Equine for $450,000.
"It was driven partially by the physical of the horse and partly because of Mastery," said Best. "I have a Mastery I bought last year and I think he's got a chance to hit as a sire. But largely I'd say it was driven by the physical of the horse. I noticed in the ring that a lot of smart money was on him. That always makes me feel more comfortable when I see people who know horses on the same horse.
"The better weanlings here have enough quality buyers here that want to play at the top. You're talking $350,000 to $600,000 for a high-quality weanling. I wasn't really that surprised (with the price)."
Hip 266 was bred in Kentucky by Lee McMillin and Eric Buckley, the latter of whom is the son of Meg Buckley, who runs Threave Main with her brother, Tim Thornton. The colt's second dam is Danzig's Dreamer, who produced grade 3 winner Liam's Dream and grade 2-placed Holdontoyourdream. His third dam is Danzig's Beauty, who produced WinStar Farm stallion Distorted Humor.
"We got lucky, all the stars aligned just right," said Buckley. "That doesn't happen very often but when it does, it's sweet, especially for a homebred horse. We both have small family farms and the horse just checked all the boxes for the right people so we're very lucky. He'll go to a good home which is the main thing and we still have the mare. "
"The mare is back in foal to Mitole ," said McMillin.
"He was a very good racehorse obviously and he stands at the right stud farm," said Buckley, "We've been doing business over there for 50 years. He's a nice horse. I'll be breeding back to him."
