Half-brother to Electrocutionist sets record at Keeneland

Montjeu colt set a North American record (Joseph DiOrio.com) A half-brother to the late Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) winner Electrocutionist (Red Ransom) sold for a record $2.7 million at Tuesday’s session of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale in Lexington, Kentucky. The price established a North American record for a weanling sold at public auction. The colt, by Montjeu (Ire) out of Elbaaha (GB) (Arazi), was purchased by Nobutaka Tada, agent for Globe Equine Management from the consignment of Indian Creek (Dave C. Parrish Jr.), agent. The Kentucky-bred also is a half-brother to 2006 French stakes winner and Group 3 runner-up Grigorieva (Ire) (Woodman) and descends from the same female family as four-time European champion Ardross (Run the Gantlet) and 1998 Deutsches Derby (Ger-G1) winner Robertico (Robellino). He sold as Hip No. 385. The previous North American record for a weanling sold at public auction was $2.4 million for Carpocrates (Storm Cat–Spain) at the 2004 Keeneland November sale. Tada said the colt, purchased on behalf of a Japanese client, would be sent to Japan to race. “He is worth what we spent for him,” Tada said. “He is a good individual — good pedigree, good physical and he walks well.” Another weanling, Hip 432, a filly by Gone West, sold for $2.4 million to M.A.B. Agency. Consigned by Paramount Sales, agent for Ballymacoll Stud Farm, the bay lass is the second foal out of champion and multiple English and Irish highweight Islington (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells). The price set a new Keeneland record for a weanling filly, eclipsing the previous mark of $2.3 million paid for Ghashtah (Nijinsky II–My Charmer) at the 1987 November sale. Islington, a multiple Group 1 winner in England, won the 2003 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1). She is a full sister to German Group 1 winner and highweight Greek Dance as well as English stakes winners New Morning (Ire) and Election Day.

Earlier in the day, Hip 336, BECAUSE (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells), sold for $2.8
million to Hugo Lascelles, agent. The five-year-old mare, consigned by Eaton
Sales, agent, is in foal to Kingmambo on an April 8 cover.

Because is a full sister to Irish Group 1 winner and highweight Quarter Moon
(Ire) (Sadler’s Wells) and Irish classic winner Yesterday (Ire), who finished
third to Islington in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf. She is out of Jude (Darshaan),
a full sister to black-type winners Arrikala (Ire) and Alouette, and a
half-sister to English highweight Alleluia (Caerleon) and multiple English Group
2 winner
Last Second (Ire) (Alzao).

“She’s from about as an outstanding family as we’ve seen in a long, long
time,” Lascelles said. “Her pedigree is very alive; there is so much happening
in her family. She’s a very exciting mare.”

On Tuesday, 178 horses sold for $65,880,000, an increase of 11.1 percent
compared to the same session last year when 192 horses brought $59,317,000. The
average price jumped 19.8 percent, from $308,943 to $370,112, while the median
price rose 12.4 percent, from $222,500 to $250,000.

Eaton Sales was the leading consignor, selling 28 horses for $13,915,000.
Next came Paramount Sales, who sold 11 for $6,720,000. Denali Stud had eight sellers for
$5,325,000.

Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings was the leading buyer, taking home six
horses for $3,630,000. Courtlandt Farm checked in second, acquiring two horses
for $3,125,000. M.A.B. Agency spent $2.9 million for two horses.

With two days of the sale complete, 342 horses have sold for $149,675,000, a
4.9 percent decrease compared to last year when 372 horses changed hands for
$157,438,000. The average price is up 3.4 percent, from $423,220 to $437,646,
while the median price is up 1.8 percent, from $270,000 to $275,000.

The sale continues Wednesday at 10 a.m. (EST). For complete results, visit
keeneland.com.

HORSES
SELLING FOR $2 MILLION OR MORE