Kitten's Joy colt tops day nine at Keeneland September

Last updated: 9/18/13 8:06 PM

Wednesday’s Keeneland September Yearling Sale topper came at the very end of
the session when Hip No. 2914 entered the ring. The Kitten’s Joy yearling,
consigned by Dromoland Farms Inc. (Gerry Dilger), agent, brought a final bid of
$185,000 from Cromwell Bloodstock, agent, to top the day.

The chestnut colt was born on March 9, 2012, in New York to the winning
Esther Got Even (Stephen Got Even). His third dam is Grade 2 victress Via
Borghese (Seattle Dancer), who is herself a daughter of Group 2 scorer Angela
Serra (Arctic Tern). That mare also produced Grade/Group 2 heroes El Angelo (El
Gran Senor) and Miswaki Tern (Miswaki).

Wednesday’s topper surpassed the $100,000 he brought at the Keeneland January
sale.

Wednesday’s second highest-priced yearling is a half-brother to Reneesgotzip

(Benoit Photos)

For much of the day, Hip 2665 led the way after being purchased by Kate Sheehan, agent, for $175,000.
The chestnut colt by Run Away and Hide is out of the winning No Dress Code
(Distorted Humor).

Consigned as the Property of Waterford-Millford Farm (Mr. and Mrs. Robert S.
West Jr.), the Kentucky-bred was foaled on February 25, 2012. He is a
half-brother to Grade 2 victress Reneesgotzip (City Zip) and counts as his
fourth dam 1977 champion handicap mare Cascapedia (Chieftain). This is the same
female family as Grade/Group 1 heroines Acey Deucey and Republic Lass, and
multiple Grade 2-winning highweight Big Jag.

Wednesday’s second highest price was a $55,000 RNA weanling at the Keeneland November sale.

The top filly in Wednesday’s ninth session was also the third-highest price
at $140,000. Bob Baffert, agent, made the winning bid for Hip 2884, who was born
on February 29, 2012, in Kentucky.

The Ghostzapper filly is out of multiple stakes-placed Cozy Gain (Cozzene),
who is herself a daughter of multiple Grade 3-placed stakes winner Broad Gains
(Broad Brush). Consigned as the Property of Adena Springs, the gray yearling’s
third dam is Grade 2 queen Lady on the Run (Bailjumper).

The 2013 Keeneland September Yearling Sale continued to distance itself from
last year in terms of numbers. Wednesday saw 311 yearlings pass through the ring
for a total $11,179,500, a 35.9 percent increase over the corresponding session
12 months ago when 302 garnered a gross $8,228,000. The average rose 31.9
percent, from $27,245 to $35,947, for the ninth session, and the $27,000 median
saw a 35 leap on last year’s $20,000 median.

The sale has already surpassed the entire 2012 stand, which ended with gross
receipts of $219,781,500.

With three days left to go, the 2013 cumulative numbers show 2,022 yearlings
selling for a total $264,436,500, an average of $130,780 and a median of
$77,000. Those represent jumps of 23.5 percent, 31.1 percent and 40 percent,
respectively, over the $214,039,000 total, $99,785 average and $55,000 median
racked up by 2,145 horses at this same point in 2012.

The sale runs through Saturday, and sessions begin daily at 10 a.m. (EDT).

For the complete catalog, latest updates and live video of the sale, please
visit keeneland.com.