Massive major-buyer budgets drove demand at the Keeneland September yearling sale and that was the state of play throughout the 13-session auction which concluded on Monday morning (AEST).
Sheikh Mohammed was on hand for the first time in nearly a decade to acquire 27 yearlings for $19.96 million. The most expensive Godolphin buys were an American Pharoah colt for $2.20 million and a War Front filly for $1.75 million.
Boomer Bloodstock (FBAA) agent Craig Rounsefell bought four yearlings topped by a Street Sense – Delightful filly for $375,000. “She is an incredible physical specimen and has the temperament to match – I think she will be a brilliant 3yo,” he said. “She was raised on Helen Alexander’s famed Middlebrook Farm and will be trained by Dan Blacker in California.”
Delightful (Bernardini) is a half-sister to G1 Manhattan Hcp winner Dancing Forever (Rahy).
Striking early in the first session, Rounsefell bought Lot 16, a More Than Ready – Highway Mary colt from Taylor Made Sales for $160,000. “I can’t fault him – he’s rock solid. I thought we were long odds to get him in Book 1 but fortune was on our side.”
Taylor Made sold last-start G1 Travers Stakes hero Catholic Boy, another son of More Than Ready, at Keeneland in 2016. Their latest colt by the Vinery legend is from a half-sister to Coolmore Stud stallion War Command and he will also be prepared by Blacker.
An exciting Take Charge Indy – Hong Kong Silver filly was next best at $105,000. She will be trained for California-based Little Red Feather Racing by Richard Baltas at Santa Anita.
“The apple of my eye on Day 8,” Rounsefell tweeted. “Staying through Book 3 paid off with a gem. She has the most beautiful balance and an eye that looks as honest as the day is long. She is closely related to Summer Bird and comes from the family of Tapit.”
Another Street Sense targeted by Boomer Bloodstock was the $60,000 filly out of Bellarada. She’s the first foal from a sister to Canadian stakes winner Banner Bill and was purchased on behalf of Slam Dunk Racing.
“I loved Street Sense as a racehorse and he’s an exceptional sire of fillies. The Bellarada filly looks a sharp type for Del Mar next year. I expect good things from this filly and she will also head to Richard Baltas.”
Back in Australia, Fastnet Rock filly Petrelle looks Boomer’s next stakes-winning graduate following a first-up victory on Thursday. A three-length maiden winner at Ballarat in April, she returned to action for an eye-catching three-length victory at Bendigo.
An untapped talent, Petrelle was a $450,000 buy at the 2017 Gold Coast Magic Millions on behalf of Austin Miller, Gary Johnson and Peter & Toby Liston of Three Bridges Thoroughbreds.
Trained by Archie Alexander, she was bred and sold by Kia-Ora Stud. Her dam USA-bred dam Mani Bhavan (Storm Boot) was straight out of the top-drawer winning the G1 Spinaway Stakes and G2 Adirondack Stakes at Saratoga.
Federation of Bloodstock Agents Australia (FBAA) was formed in 1988 to maintain, improve and develop the standards, status and services of bloodstock agents throughout Australia. Its members operate with the utmost integrity and professionalism and are bound by the strict Industry Code of Conduct.
The list of FBAA members can be viewed at: www.bloodstockagents.com.au
LAND HO
Craig Rounsefell and Blake Shinn at Keeneland