A colt from the second crop of multiple Group/Grade 1 winner Powerscourt (GB)
brought a final bid of $180,000 from Tony Lacy, agent for Malih al Basti, to
lead all offerings at Saturday’s session of the Keeneland September Yearling
Sale. Consigned by Heaven Trees, the bay toured the ring as Hip No. 4439.
The February 28 Kentucky-bred was produced from the unraced Momentary Hope
(Southern Halo),
making him a half-brother to Ravalo (Mutakddim), hero this year
of the Maryland Sprint H. (G3) on the Preakness Day undercard. Ravalo is a 10-time
stakes winner overall, most recently capturing Friday’s Spooky Mulder S. at
Belmont Park by 3 1/2 lengths. The colt’s second dam is 1984 Hollywood Oaks
(G1) winner Moment to Buy (Timeless Moment), who is also the granddam of 2005 Peter Pan
S. (G2) winner Oratory (Pulpit).
The session’s only other six-figure offering was Hip 4393, an Indian Charlie
colt who went to D & E Racing LLC for $120,000. Consigned by Bluegrass
Thoroughbred Services (J. Stuart), agent for Morrowdale Farm, the Virginia-bred
has a birthdate of April 19.
The dark bay is the fourth registered foal from the stakes-placed Lady Chance
(Carson City), a full sister to Grade 2 winner and sire Lord Carson. The colt’s
third dam, Lady Beddard (*Beddard), produced stakes-winning producer Miss Gaybeddard (Lord Gaylord) as
well as multiple stakes winner and sire Purple
Comet (Kohoutek). This is also the family of Grade 2 queen Lady Dean (Lord
Gaylord).
On Saturday, 235 yearlings grossed $2,587,200, a decline of 24.2 percent from
the corresponding session a year ago when $3,412,900 was realized from the sale
of 248 yearlings. The session average declined 20 percent, from $13,762 to
$11,009, while the median was off 38.9 percent, from $9,000 to $5,500.
Through 12 sessions of the 14-day sale, 2,779 yearlings have sold for
$189,663,800, a decline of 41.2 percent compared to this point a year ago when
3,016 horses had brought $322,700,800. The average is off 36.2 percent, from
$106,996 to $68,249, while the median has dipped 40 percent, from $50,000 to
$30,000.
The sale continues Sunday and runs through Monday, with each session kicking
off at 10 a.m. (EDT). For more information, as well as live video of the
auction, log onto keeneland.com.