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Godolphin Continues Spending Spree at Keeneland

3 minute read

The Curlin colt out of Bounding sold for US$4.1 million at Keeneland's September Yearling Sale.
The Curlin colt out of Bounding sold for US$4.1 million at Keeneland's September Yearling Sale. Picture: Trish Dunell

Godolphin continued its dominance of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale during Tuesday's second session by purchasing the day's two highest-priced yearlings, headlined by the $4.1 million Curlin colt out of New Zealand champion sprinter Bounding.

The colt became the most expensive September Sale yearling since 2010. Godolphin also took home a War Front colt out of Kentucky Oaks winner Believe You Can for $2.9 million.

Through the first two sessions of the September Sale, Godolphin has acquired six yearlings for $13,250,000, among them the four highest-priced yearlings so far in the sale.

They include Monday's session-topper, a $2.5 million Tapit colt who is a half-brother to champion and Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist and a Medaglia d'Oro colt out of Grade 1 winner Tara's Tango for $2.15 million.

Bloodstock agent Anthony Stroud, who signed the tickets for Godolphin's purchases, explained Sheikh Mohammed's strong participation in the September Sale.

"The love of horse racing and the hope of finding a champion," Stroud said. "He loves this sport, he loves coming to America and he loves Keeneland – all those things. That's why he's doing what he's doing."

Godolphin outbid Irish-based Coolmore to acquire the top seller, the most expensive yearling sold at public auction anywhere in the world in 2019.

On Tuesday, five yearlings brought $1 million and more to increase the total number of seven-figure horses sold during the first two sessions to 12.

Keeneland sold 109 yearlings for a grand sum of $49,150,000, for an average of $450,917 and a median of $375,000. Through the first two sessions of the auction, a total of 216 horses have sold for $95,381,000, for an average of $441,579 and a median of $350,000.

The session-topping $4.1 million Curlin colt is the first foal out of 2014 champion New Zealand sprinter Bounding, by Lonhro (AUS). He is the September Sale's most expensive horse since Besilu Stables went to $4.2 million to acquire Mr. Besilu in 2010.

The colt was consigned by Eaton Sales, agent for Stonestreet Bred & Raised. Stonestreet bought Bounding for more than $1.3 million at the 2016 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale in Australia.

"I've been trying to raise an internationally acclaimed racehorse by Curlin," Banke said about the 2007-2008 Horse of the Year who raced for Stonestreet and Banke's late husband, Jess Jackson.

"It's one of my goals in life. This horse has every license to do that. I think Curlin deserves to be recognized in Europe as well as here.

The $2.9 million son of War Front is the third foal out of millionaire Believe You Can, a daughter of Proud Citizen who was bred and raced by former Kentucky Gov. Brereton C. Jones.

He consigned the colt, a half-brother to stakes winner Believe in Royalty, in the name of his family's Airdrie Stud, agent.

Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent, sold 20 horses for $7,275,000 to be the leading consignor on Tuesday.

Godolphin continued its dominance of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale during Tuesday's second session by purchasing the day's two highest-priced yearlings, headlined by the $4.1 million Curlin colt out of New Zealand champion sprinter Bounding.

The colt became the most expensive September Sale yearling since 2010. Godolphin also took home a War Front colt out of Kentucky Oaks winner Believe You Can for $2.9 million.

Through the first two sessions of the September Sale, Godolphin has acquired six yearlings for $13,250,000, among them the four highest-priced yearlings so far in the sale.

They include Monday's session-topper, a $2.5 million Tapit colt who is a half-brother to champion and Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist and a Medaglia d'Oro colt out of Grade 1 winner Tara's Tango for $2.15 million.

Bloodstock agent Anthony Stroud, who signed the tickets for Godolphin's purchases, explained Sheikh Mohammed's strong participation in the September Sale.

"The love of horse racing and the hope of finding a champion," Stroud said. "He loves this sport, he loves coming to America and he loves Keeneland – all those things. That's why he's doing what he's doing."

Godolphin outbid Irish-based Coolmore to acquire the top seller, the most expensive yearling sold at public auction anywhere in the world in 2019.

On Tuesday, five yearlings brought $1 million and more to increase the total number of seven-figure horses sold during the first two sessions to 12.

Keeneland sold 109 yearlings for a grand sum of $49,150,000, for an average of $450,917 and a median of $375,000. Through the first two sessions of the auction, a total of 216 horses have sold for $95,381,000, for an average of $441,579 and a median of $350,000.

The session-topping $4.1 million Curlin colt is the first foal out of 2014 champion New Zealand sprinter Bounding, by Lonhro (AUS). He is the September Sale's most expensive horse since Besilu Stables went to $4.2 million to acquire Mr. Besilu in 2010.

The colt was consigned by Eaton Sales, agent for Stonestreet Bred & Raised. Stonestreet bought Bounding for more than $1.3 million at the 2016 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale in Australia.

"I've been trying to raise an internationally acclaimed racehorse by Curlin," Banke said about the 2007-2008 Horse of the Year who raced for Stonestreet and Banke's late husband, Jess Jackson.

"It's one of my goals in life. This horse has every license to do that. I think Curlin deserves to be recognized in Europe as well as here.

The $2.9 million son of War Front is the third foal out of millionaire Believe You Can, a daughter of Proud Citizen who was bred and raced by former Kentucky Gov. Brereton C. Jones.

He consigned the colt, a half-brother to stakes winner Believe in Royalty, in the name of his family's Airdrie Stud, agent.

Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent, sold 20 horses for $7,275,000 to be the leading consignor on Tuesday.


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