9/23/11
Last updated: 9/22/11 9:01 PM
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Frank Stronach’s Adena Springs purchased Thursday’s top three sellers
(Keeneland Photo) |
Frank Stronach’s Adena Springs continued its recent spate of acquisitions at
the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, snapping up a pair of fillies for
$110,000 apiece to top Thursday’s 11th session.
The first to go through the ring was a Proud Citizen filly, Hip No. 3553,
consigned by Warrendale Sales as agent for Tall Oaks Farm. The March 5 chestnut
is the first living foal produced by stakes winner In Return (Horse Chestnut [SAf]).
The Kentucky-bred yearling comes from the family of Flower Bowl Invitational
(G1) victress Auntie Mame (Theatrical [Ire]) and Acorn S. (G1) queen Star de
Lady Ann (Star de Naskra). Further back in the female line, one finds French
champions Qirmazi (Riverman) and Carlotamix (Linamix).
Near the end of the session, a filly from the first crop of champion sprinter
Midnight Lute fetched the same price. The Kentucky-bred dark bay was also
offered by Warrendale Sales, agent, and sported Hip 3644. The March 20 foal is
out of the Deputy Commander mare Per Se, who is herself a full sister to the
Grade 1-placed Holiday Lady as well as to stakes winner My Main Starr. Per Se is
also a half-sister to English Group 3 winner Putra (Dixie Brass). Another
prominent family member is multiple French Group 1 queen Dunette (Hard to Beat),
the dam of Canadian Grade 1 victor French Glory (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells).
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Adena Springs hit the trifecta, so to speak. The team also purchased
Thursday’s third best seller, an $80,000 E Dubai colt from the consignment of
Brandywine Farm (Jim and Pam Robinson). Out of Papalma (Dixieland Band), the
April 29 dark bay is a full brother to recently-retired Grade 2 scorer Aggie
Engineer.
On Thursday, 291 horses sold for $5,131,100, a spike of 62.6 percent from the
comparable session last year, when 278 horses brought $3,155,000. The average
jumped 55.4 percent, from $11,349 to $17,633, while the median increased 50
percent, from $8,000 to $12,000.
Through 11 days, Keeneland has sold a total of 2,539 horses for $220,318,600,
a 12.4 percent rise over the $196,039,100 realized by 2,665 yearlings in 2010.
The $86,774 average increased nearly 18 percent from $73,561, and the $40,000
median rose 25 percent from $32,000.
The 13-day sale continues Friday and concludes Saturday, with each day’s
trade opening at 10 a.m. (EDT).
For the complete catalog, results and live video of the auction, log onto
www.keeneland.com.
