Half-sister to Proud Spell brings $1.3 million at Keeneland

Tuesday’s session topper hails from the Langfuhr mare Pacific Spell (Keeneland Photo) Lane Seliger, of Baumann Stables, acquired a Bernardini half-sister to champion Proud Spell (Proud Citizen) for $1.3 million Tuesday at the second session of the 2013 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Consigned by Brereton C. Jones/Airdrie Stud, agent, the March 25 filly toured the ring as Hip No. 291. The Kentucky-bred was produced by Pacific Spell (Langfuhr), whose most notable offspring to date is Proud Spell. Voted champion three-year-old filly of 2008 after wins in the Alabama S. (G1), Kentucky Oaks (G1), Delaware Oaks (G2), and Fair Grounds Oaks (G2), she retired with a mark of 13-7-4-2, $2,131,610. Pacific Squall has also reared a full sister to the champion, Grade 3-placed Proud Pearl. This family has also yielded Grade 1 winners Imaginary Lady (Marfa) and J P’s Gusto (Successful Appeal). Coolmore’s M.V. Magnier spent $1 million on Hip 325, a Tapit half-brother to Grade 3 winners Heart Ashley (Lion Heart) and Ashley’s Kitty (Tale of the Cat). The April 28 chestnut was consigned by VanMeter Sales, agent.

Heart Ashley, an earner of $395,896, scored in the 2009 editions of the
Cicada S. (G3) and Miss Preakness S. (G3), while Ashley’s Kitty bankrolled
$349,268 with her signature win coming in the 2007 Railbird S. (G3). Both were
produced by the Grade 2-placed Pretty ‘n Smart (Beau Genius), a half-sister to
multiple Grade 3 queen Hostess (Chester House).

Also selling for $1 million was Hip 426, a son of Smart Strike. Mike Puhich,
agent, obtained the March 9 Kentucky-bred from the Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales Agency,
agent, consignment.

The colt is the second registered foal out of Serenading (A.P. Indy), who was
named 2009 champion older mare in Canada following wins in the Falls City H.
(G2) and the Maple Leaf S. She compiled a record of 18-6-7-2, $538,754.

Out of Canadian champion Serenading, Hip No. 426 is from the same female family of Touch Gold and With Approval (Keeneland Photo) The yearling’s second dam, stakes winner Daijin (Deputy Minister), is a full sister to Belmont S. (G1) winner Touch Gold and a half-sister to With Approval (Caro), Horse of the Year and Triple Crown winner in Canada. Another descendant of Daijin is Grade 1 winner Brilliant Speed (Dynaformer). The final offering to bring $1 million, and the last through the ring Tuesday, was Hip 438, an April 11 filly by Malibu Moon. Consigned by Mill Ridge Sales, agent, the Kentucky-bred was gaveled down to Hugo Merry Bloodstock. Produced by the stakes-winning Shop Again (Wild Again), the filly is a half-sister to Power Broker, winner of last fall’s FrontRunner S. (G1) at Santa Anita as well as the June 8 Easy Goer S. on the Belmont Stakes undercard. Currently possessing a mark of 9-3-2-1, $578,800, Power Broker was most recently second in the Haskell Invitational (G1) on July 28.

Shop Again is herself a half-sister to Grade 1-winning millionaire Miss Shop (Deputy
Minister), Grade 2 victor Trappe Shot (Tapit) and Grade 2-placed stakes winner
Bought in Dixie (Dixieland Band). All were reared by the Private Account mare
Shopping.

Shadwell Estate Company secured a Distorted Humor colt for $850,000. Hip 360
was offered by Lane’s End, agent.

The May 23 Kentucky-bred was produced by Ready’s Gal (More Than Ready), who
earned victories in the Canadian S. (Can-G2), Matchmaker S. (G3), Hillsborough
S. (G3), and Lake George S. (G3) while bankrolling $609,959. The yearling is a
full brother to Machen, who captured the 2011 edition of the Derby Trial (G3) in
an abbreviated career of five starts, of which he won three for earnings of
$216,530.

This extended female family also includes 1991 champion three-year-old colt
Hansel (Woodman) and Grade 2 winner Ready to Please (More Than Ready).

On Tuesday, 139 yearling sold for $34,886,000, an increase of 8.2 percent
over last year’s second session when $32,240,000 was realized from the sale of
186 head. The session average was up 44.8 percent, from $173,333 to $250,978, while the
median rose 33.3 percent, from $150,000 to $200,000.

After two days of trading, 269 yearlings have sold for $69,261,000, a rise of
10.8 over last year when 261 horses sold for $62,530,000. The average is up 8
percent, from $239,579 to $258,814, while the median has increased 11.1 percent,
from $180,000 to $200,000.

The 12-day sale runs through September 21. According to the revamped format,
Book 1 continues Wednesday and Thursday, with each session beginning at noon
(EDT). After the usual day off on Friday, the auction resumes with Book 2
yearlings on Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m. Next week comprises Books 3-5.

For the complete catalog, latest updates and live video of the sale, log on
to keeneland.com.