High Hopes for Keeneland's November Breeding Stock Sale

The Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale begins Nov. 4 and will run through Nov. 13 in Lexington. A total of 3,085 horses have been cataloged for the eight-day sale that consists of four books. The auction includes some of the world's top-class broodmares, broodmare prospects, and weanlings. The sale also includes two dispersals and two reductions of some of the highest quality breeding stock. "We're very encouraged," said Keeneland's vice president of sales Tony Lacy. "I think we found that the demand for quality stock is going to be very vibrant. We're seeing a renewed vibrancy and excitement for breeders to get back in or enter the breeding industry. "There's a viability when you're getting returns, which we saw in September (Yearling Sale), and you saw the variety of stallions that were well received by the buyers, not only domestically, but internationally as well." Coming off an exciting Championship Sale Oct. 29 at Del Mar, which preceded the Breeders' Cup World Championships, Lacy was energized by the success of their new event and believes that momentum will carry into the November Sale. "It was great," Lacy said of the Championship Sale. "People were very excited about its potential. The feedback we're getting from many of the people there is very encouraging. They were genuinely supportive and understood that this has got real legs, and I think we're really, really energized about the potential for it next year, when we're back at home base (for the 2026 Breeders' Cup World Championships at Keeneland)." The Breeders' Cup produced some timely updates for horses entered in the sale, including a runner-up finish in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) for Vahva, who is consigned as Hip 187 by Lane's End, agent. The 5-year-old daughter of Gun Runner improved her career record to 7-6-3 from 20 starts, with earnings totaling $2,289,010. "Vahva, she's special to us," Lacy said. "They (West Point Thoroughbreds) bought her at Keeneland, trained her at Keeneland, and won at Keeneland." The dam of Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) winner Super Corredora was supplemented to Book 1 of the November Sale. Super Simple is cataloged as Hip 225, and will be offered by Denali Stud, agent for the Complete Dispersal of Woodford Thoroughbreds (Phase 1). She is offered in foal to grade 1 winner and earner of $2.4 million, Gunite. Super Simple is a half sister to stakes winner Simple Surprise, who is the dam of Gunite. A half sister to Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) winner Nysos will also be offered during Book 1 by Taylor Made Sales Agency. The 3-year-old filly Bernetta, cataloged as Hip 44, will be offered in foal to Arabian Knight. Many sires will have been represented by their first group, such as Arabian Lion, Arcangelo, 2023 Horse of the Year Cody's Wish, Elite Power, Forte, Gunite, Mage, and Taiba, amongst others. The sale will also include the dispersals of Bonne Chance Farm, which will be handled by Gainesway and Hidden Brook Farm. Twenty-eight weanlings and broodmares will be offered. Taylor Made Sales Agency and Denali Stud will represent the complete Dispersal of Woodford Thoroughbreds (Phase 1), which includes 12 entries, including the aforementioned Super Simple, dam of Super Corredora. A curated reduction of Jon Green's DJ Stables will also be presented during the auction. A total of 32 entries have been cataloged, and all but one with Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa will be consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency. D.J. Stable has campaigned many graded stakes winners over the years, most recently highlighted by grade 1 winner Nitrogen. The daughter of Nyquist ran a gusty second to Scylla in the Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1). Two other programs will be reducing their programs as well—H. Allen Poindexter Thoroughbreds and Shannondoe Farm, consigned by Wynnstay Sales and Taylor Made Sales Agency, respectively. Keeneland has continued to make improvements to their facility, including the major expansion project, which focused on the paddock area and enhanced guest experiences, something Lacy strongly believes will help the industry. "We're spending a lot of money on infrastructure, improving the experience, and that's what people have been looking for," Lacy explained. "Any industry has to invest aggressively and optimistically in the future, and I think people are responding to that, and it creates a level of confidence amongst our clients that is something that has not been there for a long time. It can be difficult at times, but we want to instill the level of confidence amongst the buying public that this is a regulated sport, that is one they can be confident in again." Last year's sale produced gross receipts of $196,492,900, including private sales, from the 2,159 horses that changed hands. The average price was $91,011, with a median of $40,000. A total of 426 horses failed to meet their reserve, resulting in an RNA rate of 16.5%. Multiple graded stakes winner Roses for Debra topped the sale, selling for $2.4 million to Mandy Pope's Whisper Hill Farm, who was also the leading buyer of the sale with 13 purchases grossing $6,635,000. The first session of the sale begins Tuesday at 2 p.m. ET, with 225 horses cataloged for Book 1. The following nine sessions will begin at 10 a.m. ET. As of Monday afternoon, Keeneland has reported 54 outs for the first session. "We've got a very deep bench of broodmares, broodmare prospects, and weanlings for all ends of the market," Lacy said. "There are a lot of people looking to invest. We've taken a massive swing in the right direction in many ways. We're starting to see that pay off in the sales ring, and hopefully in the whole crop as well."