The partnership of St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds, Lane's End Racing and Belladonna secured their most expensive purchase to date at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale by purchasing a Nyquist colt for $2 million Sept. 17. His sales price was the co-highest of the fourth session of the sale through 4:30 p.m. ET.
The colt, consigned as Hip 973 by Betz Thoroughbreds, was the 13th purchase of the sale for the ownership partners, who rank among the sale's most active buyers.
"We're really excited to acquire the colt," said Monique Delk, executive director of racing operations for St. Elias. "He was a standout for us—by the right sire, amazing physical, beautiful walk. He's the whole package. We're really excited to be able to acquire him."
Delk said they do not have an exact number of horses they are trying to buy.
"We just approach each book with a lot of discipline and a real strict criteria," she said. "We don't necessarily have a number, but we're pretty disciplined in our buying."
Vincent Viola's St. Elias Stables is co-owner and breeder of this year's Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Golden Tempo, who is trained by Belladonna's Cherie Devaux.
Betz Thoroughbreds, J.Betz, DJ Stables, Epon, Lamantia bred the colt in Kentucky, who was produced by the stakes-winning The Factor mare Factorofwon. Factorofwon is the dam of current listed stakes winner Light Won Up, who also placed in the Senorita Stakes (G3T) earlier this year.
Hip 973 becomes the seventh Nyquist yearling to sell for $1 million or more since the September Yearling Sale began Sept. 14. He stood the 2026 season for an advertised fee of $175,000 at Darley near Lexington.
