KEENOV Nearing the Finish Line

Hip 3957, the 3-year-old filly Orabella (More Than Ready) offered in foal to the young Hill ‘n’ Dale stallion Violence (Medaglia d’Oro), attracted a final bid of $62,000 from representatives of Hidden Brook Farm as agent to top Thursday’s second-last session of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale in Lexington.

Consigned by Three Chimneys Farm as agent for the Regis Farms dispersal, the chestnut was produced by the stakes-placed Hot Trip (Trippi), a full-sister to GI Spinaway S. winner R Heat Lightning and was originally acquired by Nat Rea’s operation for $180,000 at this auction house’s September Yearling Sale in 2013.

Oak Lodge Bloodstock landed the day’s second highest-priced offering, going to $60,000 for hip 3828, the 5-year-old mare Everything Matters (Lemon Drop Kid). Offered in foal to GI Kentucky Derby hero Animal Kingdom (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) on a March cover date, the dark bay mare hails from the female family of the precocious GSW Chimichurri (Elusive Quality). Everything Matters was consigned to the November sale by Upson Downs Farm, agent.

The session’s top weanling, hip 3903, was offered by Taylor Made Sales Agency as agent and was scooped up for $35,000 by Back to Work Stable. By Astrology (A.P. Indy), the Mar. 10 foal was bred by Archie Barnes and Wood Simpson and descends from the family of MGISW High Yield (Storm Cat).

With Friday’s final day of selling still to come, the cumulative average of $91,680 remains 11.8% ahead of the 2014 figure, while the median price of $34,000 has dipped slightly into negative territory versus 12 months ago.

The final session of the November sale kicks off at 10 a.m. For full results, visit www.keeneland.com.