Keeneland, 15 January 2010

Coolmore snap up top lot in session where average declines by 22%

French stakes winner and graded stakes-placed Missvinski attracted a final bid of $400,000 to headline Thursday’s session of Keeneland’s January Horses of All Ages Sale.

Consigned by Michael C. Byrne, agent, Missvinski is a six-year-old mare by Stravinsky out of Miss U Fran, by Brocco. At two and three, she recorded wins in the Prix Zeddaan and Prix Ronde de Nuit, as well as second-place finishes in the Group One Prix d’Astarte and Group Three Prix de la Grotte. Aisling Duignan, agent, signed the ticket for Missvinski, who sold as a racing or broodmare prospect.

Gross receipts on Thursday totaled $2,245,300, down 34.78 percent from $3,442,600 in 2009. The session average of $11,283 decreased 21.67 percent from last year’s $14,404, while the median of $5,000 was down 37.50 percent from $8,000. A total of 199 horses were sold compared to 239 in 2009.

Following four days of selling, gross sales total $22,799,200, down 21.32 percent from $28,978,000 in 2009. Average was down 15.06 percent from $32,892 to $27,940. The median of $10,000 decreased 33.33 percent from $15,000 recorded last year.

Raut LLC paid $55,000 for Close Alliance, a four-year-old Gone West colt sold as a racing or stallion prospect by Mill Ridge Sales, agent. Out of the A.P. Indy mare Shoogle, Close Alliance is from the family of Belmont (G1) winner Coastal and champion and sire Slew o’ Gold.

Sentebale, a five-year-old mare by Vindication, and a yearling colt by Master Command, brought the day’s third-highest price of $50,000 each.

Hill ‘n’ Dale Bloodstock bought Sentebale, a half-sister to Hirsch Jacobs Stakes (G3) winner Everyday Heroes. She was consigned as a broodmare prospect by Gainesway, agent.

A yearling colt from the first crop of Master Command was purchased by Glencrest Farm. Consigned by Mulholland Springs, the colt is out of the Wavering Monarch mare Wavering Wind.