Kilwin, winner of the Test Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course, sold for $3 million to Rick Howard at the end of Book 1 of Keeneland's November Breeding Stock Sale Nov. 4.
The mare was consigned by Damian and Braxton Lynch's Royal Oak Farm, agent for BBN Racing. Howard stated BBN Racing had partnered with him and the filly would stay in training with George "Rusty" Arnold.
"We're going to run her next year as a 4-year-old and then she's going back to Rusty," Howard said.
Howard was not a part of the ownership group in the filly before the sale, but declared he was excited to go in on her together with BBN Racing.
When asked what attracted him to the daughter of Twirling Candy , Howard said: "Oh, I mean the Test (Stakes). What more can you say? Twirling Candy, that performance was one I hadn't seen before. I have a Twirling Candy filly called Mackinac that I bred that is in the barn (Rusty Arnold) that they (BBN Racing) bought. So, it's kind of just all in the family."
Howard bred Mackinac as Manitou Farm, which he recently sold. Howard said he currently owns five mares and a couple of racehorses, and was excited to add the versatile Kilwin to that list.
The ever-versatile Kilwin broke her maiden at 2 on debut, and went on to win the 2024 Untapable Stakes on the turf at Kentucky Downs in her second start. She ran second to eventual Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) winner Shisospicy in the Mamzelle Stakes (G3T) earlier this spring, and won back-to-back races in the Leslie's Lady Overnight Stakes and the Test Stakes—both on dirt, showing her versatility.
BBN Racing picked Kilwin up as a yearling at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale for $225,000 from the Pope McLean consignment. She is out of the Blame mare Spanish Star, and is a half sister to grade 2 winner One Timer (Trappe Shot).
Braxton Lynch, founding partner and manager for BBN Racing, said the plan to team up with Howard had just recently transpired.
"It all sort of happened today," Lynch said. "He expressed interest, and it kind of made sense for us to work something out with him. And, if she sold beyond that, she sold beyond that. But, that was kind of the plan, we just came up with it today. Our partners are thrilled to be able to continue to race her, and Rusty will be thrilled to get her back.
"Hopefully it'll be Breeders' Cup at Keeneland (next year)."
