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Last night, every one of the horses went through the Keeneland auction ring, beginning a new chapter of their lives on the road to becoming racehorses. Unfortunately, I was unable to watch the live feed stream on the computer since I had to go to my dance class. I must say, it was challenging concentrating on my moves for the Chattanooga Choo Choo.  Although it has been a slow year for auctions, some prices were high; several went for four hundred thousand or more, and one topping the sale with a price of six hundred twenty five thousand dollars.  It was obvious to me that this year’s superstars, Uncle Mo and The Factor, sparked some interest for the Indian Charlie and War Front progeny.

The sale topper was a dark bay or brown colt by Indian Charlie, and out of Teenage Temper, by A.P. Indy.   Stonestreet Stable put up the $625,000 hoping for success that they have experienced in the form of Curlin, and Rachel Alexandra.  During the under tack show, this colt worked impressively, going an eighth of a mile in :10.1, with a large, leaping stride resembling Uncle Mo.

Despite being a great admirer of Indian Charlie, I have always been a little skeptical of whether or not his offspring can consistently handle classic distance races.  Travelin’ Man, whose broodmare sire is Indian Charlie, won the Swale, a sprint race; and Uncle Mo (by Indian Charlie) came in a tiring third in the Wood Memorial.  In the Santa Anita Derby, Anthony’s Cross, and Indian Winter, both by Indian Charlie, finished out of the top four when they were expected to finish well.  None of this past weekend’s events seemed to have any negative effects on the bidding for these young horses. I also remain optimistic that we will see a successful Indian Charlie offspring at classic distances.     

$1.322 million of my monopoly money went to my top ten horses. I had four that did not sell; three for lack of reaching the price desired, and one out. 

HIP 54:  By Scat Daddy, and out of Russian Broad, by Broad Brush, I expected for this horse to sell for at least one hundred thousand dollars, but went for a bargain eighty thousand to Dogwood Stable, located in South Carolina.

HIP 62:   I was surprised by the selling price of Curlin’s full-brother.  Anticipating him to be the sale topper, he only sold for seventy thousand to Brian Koriner, Agent.  Reminding everyone that as a yearling, Zenyatta sold for sixty thousand, and went on to earn over six million dollars in her career.

HIP 74:   This filly by Bluegrass Cat, out of Tizsweet, by Cee’s Tizzy, worked impressively, and  is one of my favorites from the whole auction.  She is out of a full-sister to Tiznow, the only horse to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic twice. Royal Pegasus LLC made a savvy choice in purchasing this talented filly for fifty-two thousand dollars. 

HIP 83:   By Tiznow, and out of Well Dressed, by Notebook, this colt is a full-brother to twenty plus length Dubai World Cup winner, Well Armed.  He did not sell, because he failed to bring the minimum sale price ($450,000) set by his consignor, Niall Brennan.

HIP 85:   The bidders seemed to reach a decision that this is a special filly.   Being one of my top choices in these ten horses, she sold to Justice Family Racing for $335,000.  She is another Indian Charlie, out of West Secret, by West By West.

HIP 101:  Hard Spun Bells was another one of my selections that did not bring top price.  Consignor Nick De Meric expected her to bring in $290,000, but nobody was willing to pay the price.  This half-sister to Sharp Humor will be one to watch.

HIP 102:  This full-brother to Breeders’ Cup Turf winner, English Channel, and stakes winner, Sedgefield was scratched, but I will be keeping my eye on him as he progresses.  His dam, Belva, by Theatrical (IRE) has had repeated success as a broodmare, and this colt looked promising.

HIP 117:  My top choice out of the entire auction brought $285,000, a good price, when he stepped into the auction ring.  With his outstanding pedigree-by Mineshaft, and out of Champagne Sue, by Elusive Quality-and his amazing work, he sold to Lake Villa Farm.

HIP 136:   By 2007 Kentucky Derby winner, Street Sense, this colt was obviously not only dazzling on the racetrack, but also in the auction ring.  He sold to Michael Weston for $260,000.

HIP 157:  Out of Hishi Amazon, who earned over six million dollars on the racetrack, this filly failed to bring in $110,000, therefore, not selling.  I wonder about the choice not to breed the amazing Hishi Amazon to a more proven sire ie: AP Indy, Giants Causeway, Smart Strike… would have made for a stronger sale price..

I would have spent a total of $320,000 on my additional five horses to watch.  Below is a list of who they sold to, and for what price:

HIP 130:   Did not sell ($95,000)

HIP 141:   OUT

HIP 145:   Justice Family Racing, ($240,000)

HIP 164:   Marette Farrell, ($180,000)

HIP 168:   Did not sell ($45,000)

I feel compelled to add one more horse to my list; HIP 26, who sold for one thousand dollars!  She worked notably, going :10.2 for a one eighth of a mile breeze, and she is by 2007 Kentucky Derby winner, Street Sense.  Her broodmare sire is Dynaformer, who has sired the late Barbaro, 2006 Derby winner. She didn’t seem to have three legs, or two heads or run backwards.  Hello? What’s the deal here?!  Her DNA alone is worth $40,000 (Street Sense’s stud fee)! I didn’t even realize horses sold for $1,000 at a select sale at Keeneland. Can someone explain this to me?

My grand total for this auction was $1.642 million dollars.  I am eager to follow these young hopefuls and write about their achievements and struggles they may encounter.  Did the ‘home run horse’ get away?  Did I choose wrong?  Should I have spent more money or did the bargain of the century slip through my grasp?