Keeneland opens the North American 2011 auction season on Monday with its January Sale. A total of 1,827 horses have been catalogued for the five-day auction which runs through to January 14.
The January Sale has increasingly established itself as a strong market for quality racing and broodmare prospects, as well as new season yearlings who officially turned a year old on January 1.
Group 1 winners from 2010 that were sold as yearlings in January include Afleet Express (Travers Stakes), E Z’s Gentleman (Triple Bend Hcp) and Hold That Tiger sprinter Smiling Tiger (Bing Crosby Stakes & Ancient Title Stakes).
Broodmares catalogued have been covered by a total of 184 different stallions, among them such sought-after sires as Afleet Alex, Arch, Bernardini, Bluegrass Cat, Candy Ride, Curlin, Empire Maker, Indian Charlie, Malibu Moon, More Than Ready, Mr. Greeley, Speightstown, Street Cry, Tapit, Tiznow and Unbridled’s Song.
Keeneland’s G1 Alcibiades Stakes winners Negligee and Wickedly Perfect are scheduled to go through the sale on Monday.
Negligee (Northern Afleet) will be offered by Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales as Lot 125. Wickedly Perfect (Congrats) is part of the Three Chimneys Sales consignment as Lot 245. The first session also includes the Three Chimneys consigned G1 Flower Bowl Invitational Stakes winner Ave (Danehill Dancer).
Yearlings are by 196 prominent stallions including Afleet Alex, Arch, Bernardini, Bluegrass Cat, Distorted Humor, Elusive Quality, Giant’s Causeway, Indian Charlie, Malibu Moon, Medaglia d’Oro, More Than Ready, Mr. Greeley, Speightstown, Tale of the Cat, Tapit, Tiznow and Unbridled’s Song.
“I think we saw some stability in the latter part of 2010, and we hope that will continue on through in 2011,” Keeneland’s director of sales Geoffrey Russell said. “However, the market will continue to face some stiff challenges. While the American economy shows signs of improvement, it still is far from strong. In addition, credit remains tight and racing is in a period of extended decline in purses.
“I don’t know if we are positive, but we are optimistic – you have to be in the horse business.”