Shadwell snare US$2.3 million Keeneland sale-topper and it might not end there
Sheikha Hissa, daughter of the late Hamdan Al Maktoum, did not wait long to start adding yearlings to her elite stable of runners on day one of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale on Monday.
When the Into Mischief (Harlan’s Holiday) filly consigned as hip 92 by Gainesway strode into the ring she was victorious at $2.3 million to add her to her collection.
This year marks the first time the sheikha has shopped the Keeneland September Sale herself since her father’s passing in March 2021.
Johnny Smith of Shadwell said: “Sheikha Hissa is very happy to be here and excited to participate in the sale, there will be more fireworks tomorrow.”
The bay Into Mischief filly was bred in Kentucky by International Equities Holding and is a half-sibling to Perry and Ramona Bass’ Summertime Oaks (Gr 2, 8.5f) winner Window Shopping (American Pharoah) who took the Saratoga test in June, after being runner up in the Santa Anita Oaks (Gr 2, 8.5f) on the west coast in April for trainer Richard Mandella.
Both fillies are out of the Grade 3-winning Tapit (Pulpit) mare Delightful Joy, a winner in the Monmouth Oaks (Gr 3, 8.5f) and second in the Turnback The Alarm Handicap (Gr 3, 9f).
“I honestly thought she would bring every bit of $1.5 million,” said consignor Brian Graves.
“She’s a top physical, out of a Grade 2-winning Tapit mare who has already produced a Grade 2 winner still performing on the track. She was one of the best-looking yearlings I saw this year.
“We thought that could happen. From the first time you looked at that filly, you thought that could happen. It’s a pleasant surprise but not shocking.”
Earlier in the day, Shadwell Racing snapped up an Uncle Mo (Indian Charlie) filly from Taylor Made Sales Agency, consigned as hip 20. The Kentucky-bred by Don Alberto Corporation is out of Grade 1 winner Angela Renee (Bernardini) and sold for $750,000. She is a full sibling to the millionaire earner To Honor And Serve.
The yearling filly is a half sibling to the four-year-old Medaglia D’Oro (El Prado) colt Gilded Age, runner-up in the Curlin Stakes (Listed, 9f) and third in last year’s Withers Stakes (Gr 3, 9f). She has a two-year-old Curlin (Smart Strike) colt sibling and a weanling Curlin sister.
Never one to sit on his hands, esteemed bloodstock agent Donato Lanni, agent for Zedan Racing, was quick to act during day one for a half-brother to 2017 Pacific Classic Stakes (Gr 1, 10f) winner and now Airdrie Stud sire Collected (City Zip). Runnymede Farm consigned the Uncle Mo colt as hip 154.
“Imagine selling your horse for $2 million; there are no words for that,” Runnymede Farm’s Romain Malhouitre said. “The horse has been awesome since he arrived Thursday. He showed very well, and we knew there was plenty of interest, but you never know.”
The colt out of Helena Bay (Johannesburg) was bred in Kentucky in partnership with his consignor, Peter J. Callahan, and Three Chimneys Farm.
Having a Grade 1-winning half brother, which Hall of Famer Bob Baffert trained, had to give the group behind Zedan Racing confidence to make the final bid at $2 million over the internet. While campaigned by Speedway Stables, Collected won $2.975 million in earnings with a record of 8-2-1 in 15 efforts, 11 of which were in Graded stakes company.
“Magnificent,” Lanni commented. “He is a beautiful, classy horse. Bob loved him, and we’ve been extremely lucky with the sire.”
Malhouitre echoed a similar sentiment on the horse: “Everybody was very complimentary of the horse. A few people told us he was one of the best colts of the sale for day one. We thought we had a good horse, and they told us.”
During the first session, Keeneland reported 114 horses sold of the 144 through the
ring for a gross of $56,040,000, down 4.4 per cent from 2022. The average of $491,579 was up 0.6 per cent, and the $400,000 median down 9.6 per cent from last year. There were 30 horses who failed to attain their reserves to represent a 20.8 per cent RNA rate.
During last year’s opening session, 120 yearlings were traded of the 144 on offer for a gross of $58,615,000, setting an average price of $488,458 and a median of $442,500. An RNA rate of 16.7 per cent represents the 24 yearlings that failed to sell.
West Bloodstock made 11 purchases as agent for a gross of $3,720,000, at an average of $338,182, to be the day one leading buyer. Gainesway consigned three session 1 horses who realised seven figures, putting them on top with gross receipts of $9,610,000 after selling 12 of its 15-horse draft.
Keeneland vice president of sales, Tony Lacy, said: “It’s encouraging when you see diversity among the buyers. It’s important that the people who come in here feel like they have a chance of getting something.
“The buyers are spending quite a bit, gaining some of the best bloodstock in the world. Over the last couple of days, people have been energised by the quality of stock and have said it’s probably the best group of horses they have seen in the first two sessions, in probably the last 10-15 years.”