Biancone purchases Whywhywhy colt for $50,000

Last updated: 9/27/09 7:26 PM

Sunday’s topper is a three-quarter brother to Nownownow, seen here taking the San Fernando
for Biancone
(Benoit Photos)

Acting as agent for Flying Zee Stable, trainer Patrick Biancone purchased a
Whywhywhy colt for the top price of $50,000 at Sunday’s penultimate session of
the Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Hip No. 4785 is a three-quarter brother
to Nownownow (Whywhywhy), whom Biancone trained to victory in the San Fernando
S. (G2) earlier this year. The Kentucky-bred colt was consigned by Eaton Sales,
agent.

The April 28 bay is the second registered foal from French stakes heroine
Marche de Paix (Fr) (Marchand de Sable), herself a half-sister to Nownownow. In
addition to the San Fernando, Nownownow also captured the inaugural Breeders’
Cup Juvenile Turf and the With Anticipation S. in 2007. This is the family of
French Group 3 victor and noted sire Lypheor (GB) (Lyphard).

Eaton Sales was also responsible for the next best seller, a $45,000 filly by
Bernstein who was part of the Overbrook Farm dispersal. Cataloged as Hip 4550,
the dark bay went to Philip A. Sims, agent for Joseph Vaudo.

The February 1 Kentucky-bred is the first registered foal from the winning
Unbridled’s Song mare Songfest. With the yearling’s third dam being Grade 3
queen Cinegita (Secretariat), she hails from the same female line as champion
Flanders (Seeking the Gold), the dam of champion and $1.8 million earner
Surfside (Seattle Slew).

On Sunday, 205 horses sold for a total of $1,209,900, down 53 percent from
2008 when 229 horses brought $2,577,000. The session average of $5,902 declined
47.6 percent from last year’s $11,253, while the median decreased 60 percent,
from $8,000 to $3,200. The not sold rate dropped nearly 40 percent to 16.67.

With one day remaining in the 14-day sale, 2,984 yearlings have grossed
$190,873,700, down 41.3 percent from last year, when 3,245 horses sold for
$325,277,800. The average of $63,966 represents a 36.2 percent decrease from
$100,240 in 2008. The median was down 46.8 percent, from $47,000 a year ago to
$25,000 this year.

The sale concludes Monday, beginning at 10 a.m. (EDT). For more information,
as well as live video of the auction, log onto keeneland.com.

Keeneland encourages all horsemen attending next year’s September Yearling
Sale to make hotel reservations now. Demand for hotel rooms will increase next
fall due to the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games.