More of the Same Expected at KEEJAN

The first North American sale of 2015 starts today at 10:00 a.m., with Keeneland holding its four-day January Horses of All Ages Sale in Lexington, Ky. Monday and Tuesday’s sessions comprise the 804-horse Book 1, while hips 805-1207 and 1208-1610 sell Wednesday and Thursday, respectively, as Book 2. 

The overall sales market remained notably stable in 2014, with numbers remarkably similar to those recorded in the year prior. The 2014 Keeneland November Sale, for instance, showed an increase in average of 2.1% with an unchanged median. While last year’s Keeneland January renewal did not feature the noteworthy dispersals of 2013, leading to far fewer horses selling for $300,000 or more, a resilient middle and lower-end market helped keep the average at $39,947–just a 2.36% decline from the year prior. The $20,000 median represented a 33.3% increase from 2013. In all, 1,027 horses sold at the 2014 Keeneland January sale for $41,025,700. The RNA rate was 19.6%–an improvement from 25.2%. 

“We look forward for January to continue on what happened in September and November,” said Keeneland’s Director of Sales Geoffrey Russell. “I think the momentum from those two sales should carry forward here and we expect a pretty good sale.” 

Russell continued, “I see great similarities between this year’s [catalog] and last year. We’ve got a couple very nice upper-end mares in the sale and I think they’ll sell very well. What January has always been about is the middle-market broodmare prospect and we’ve got a lot of them. I anticipate that the market will meet them very well.” 
Among those catalogued in the 2015 renewal is champion Blind Luck (Pollard’s Vision), who sells for Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales Agency, agent today as hip 207. 

“It’s always nice to have jewels like Blind Luck,” Russell noted. “She’s a very special filly. We also have a mare in foal to War Front and a War Front foal by her side as well as a mare in foal to Tapit. Having those items is always very important and very special to have in a sale. It draws people in, and hopefully, if they can’t afford those horses, then they’ll be able to buy something else.” 

Last year’s Keeneland January topper was the 15-year-old mare Ponche de Leona (Ponche), dam of 2013 GI Breeders’ Cup Classic hero Mucho Macho Man (Macho Uno). Offered by Blake-Albina Thoroughbred Services LLC in foal to Distorted Humor, she brought a winning bid of $775,000 from Brushwood Stable. 

Taylor Made Sales Agency was leading consignor at this sale last year, with 99 head sold for $4,126,200 for an average of $41,679. Ben Glass, agent for Gary and Mary West, was leading buyer by gross, securing 30 horses at an average of $56,067 for $1,682,000. Frank Stronach’s Adena Springs wasn’t far behind, scooping up 29 individuals for $1,634,500 total–an average of $56,362. 

For catalogue and outs, or to watch the sale live, visit www.keeneland.com.