A pair of Nyquist colts topped the fourth session of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, each surpassing the $1 million mark Sept. 12 because the depth of the shopping for base and high quality of yearlings held up via the end of Guide 2.
“We simply actually need to thank the breeders and consignors that supported us. It is a nice crop of yearlings. They have been very beneficiant in what they’ve despatched to us to catalog,” mentioned Cormac Breathnach, director of gross sales operations at Keeneland.
Maverick Racing, China Horse Membership, and Siena Farm grew to become the primary consumers to interrupt into seven-figure territory on Day 4 in Lexington, going to $1.3 million for a Nyquist colt (Hip 984) out of the Bernardini winner Spa Therapy , who’s a daughter of grade 1-placed stakes winner Silver Tits .
Hip 984 was consigned by Blake-Albina Thoroughbred Providers for breeders Springhouse Farm and Hunter Valley Farm.
“We have all the time favored him (Hip 984), he is a giant stunning colt, and he strikes effectively, and he carries himself effectively. We knew we would have some individuals on him, we simply did not understand how far anyone was gonna go,” mentioned Ron Blake of Blake-Albina Thoroughbreds.
“Clearly Nyquist over Bernardini is a good cross. Considered one of our favorites of the entire sale, Guide 1, Guide 2, did not matter. We have been very bullish on him” mentioned Elliot Walden of WinStar Farm, who signed the ticket on behalf of the shopping for partnership.
“He is that type of horse,” Blake mentioned in response to Elliot Walden’s remark. “He may very well be something. I actually thank them for buying the horse; they stepped up.”
Amongst Nyquist’s prime performers this yr is Immersive , latest winner of the Spinaway Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course. She is out of the Bernardini mare Hole Yr . Different graded winners by Nyquist bred on the identical cross embrace 2020 Summer time Stakes (G1T) winner and Canadian champion 2-year-old colt Gretzky the Nice , Lexington Stakes (G3) winner Encino , and Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) victor Nysos .
Nyquist, the 2015 champion 2-year-old male by Uncle Mo , has had a exceptional yr each on the monitor and within the gross sales ring. Along with Immersive, he has been represented by undefeated Tenma , who received the Sept. 7 Del Mar Debutante Stakes (G1); Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1) victress Randomized ; and Shoemaker Miles Stakes (G1T) winner Johannes .
“There are lots of people who favored that horse (Hip 984), and now they will need to run towards him,” mentioned Blake.
Darley’s Nyquist was represented by a second seven-figure yearling within the closing hour of Day 4 when John Stewart’s Resolute Bloodstock went to $1.2 million for Hip 1114, a Nyquist colt consigned by Indian Creek as agent.
(L-R): Indian Creek’s Sarah Sutherland with Resolute Bloodstock’s John Stewart and Gavin O’Connor
County Line Farm bred the colt in Kentucky out of the Sweet Journey daughter Sweet Swap , who’s a full sister to 2010 Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner and sire Sidney’s Sweet and grade 3 winner Candy Swap . From 4 foals of racing age, Sweet Swap has produced stakes winner Bluegrass Parkway (High quality Highway ), who set a monitor document going 1 1/4 miles on turf when profitable the 2021 Kentucky Downs Preview Turf Cup Stakes at Ellis Park.
“The stallion speaks for himself; he can do no unsuitable proper now. He is (Hip 1114) received a very nice pedigree, classic-distance kind of horse, and I believe he is one that isn’t even near at his finest proper now. He is a good looking mover, it’s going to be actually enjoyable to look at him and observe alongside,” mentioned Indian Creek’s Sarah Sutherland.
When requested what stood out about Hip 1114 she mentioned: “His motion and his vitality. He is simply a kind of horses that basically exhibits that he desires to do it. I believe he’ll need to prepare and transfer ahead in every little thing that he does. He by no means received drained, he is a really feel-good kind of colt. He did not allow us to down in any respect.”
The Nyquist colt consigned as Hip 1114 sells for $1.2 million on the Keeneland September Yearling Sale
The typical for the fourth session was $286,103 from 223 head offered for a gross of $63,801,000. The median was $250,000. Of the 317 yearlings that went via the ring, 94 have been purchased again, leading to an RNA price of 29.7%.
“For us it has been fantastic, I believe the horses, if you’re in the appropriate spot, issues line up very effectively, and also you’re rewarded handsomely. The market’s very robust for these prime horses. I believe it is going to proceed to trickle down,” mentioned Sutherland.
“I believe it exhibits if we create that consistency with the standard in entrance of the appropriate consumers, it creates a vibrant market that’s constant and feeds off itself. I actually really feel prefer it offers confidence to the breeders to really feel like they’ll put money into the broodmares and go ahead,” mentioned Tony Lacy, vp of gross sales at Keeneland.
Taylor Made was main consignor with a gross of $8,180,000 from 34 horses offered. Resolute was the main purchaser of the day with three purchases for a complete of $2,550,000. The main sire by gross was Not This Time , with 18 offered for a complete of $6,270,000. Gun Runner was a detailed second with a gross of $6,100,000 from 16 offered.
“Lots of people are saying, I am unable to get something purchased. It is robust, it is so robust. So, I hope that continues on, and there is going to be high quality horses all over right here. We simply received to type of stick round and maintain working,” mentioned Sutherland.
The Keeneland September Yearling Sale continues Sept. 14 at 10:00 am ET with hips 1133-1550 to undergo the ring for the fifth session and the start of Guide 3. As of Thursday night, Keeneland reported 34 outs.
