McKinzie had an impressive showing on day seven of the Keeneland September Foal Auction, as Reeves Thoroughbred Racing paid $475,000 for a colt by the young stallion on September 16. The colt that topped the auction was a son of the mare Smart Strike. Ruby believes .
Hip 2197 was bred in Kentucky by Gainesway Thoroughbreds, who consigned the colt. McKinzie has had a strong start with his first litter of 2-year-olds, having produced a Grade 1 winner in McPatrick Opportunity winner of the Hopeful Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Track.
“I thought (Hip 2197) was a standout horse at today’s sale, his physicality was really great,” said Danny Gargan, trainer for Dean and Patti Reeves. “Jimmy (Gladwell) and I looked at him together. And we were trying to get some Derby-quality horses (Kentucky), and we thought he fit what we were trying to do.
“Dean watched the videos and looked at the pictures online. Jimmy and I were trying to buy a certain type of horse so that Dean and Patti could have a chance to compete in the classic horse races, and we want to thank Patti and Dean for giving us this opportunity to buy the health tests and buy the type of horse that we like.”
In addition to Chancer McPatrick, McKinzie also has McKinzie Street, who finished second in the Del Mar Futurity (G1) on September 7. McKinzie is ranked fifth on the early-season breeding list.
“We think McKinzie has a bright future as a stallion, we love him physically, and we’re lucky to be able to buy him,” Gargan said.
“He’s a Book 3 foal from Book 4, he’s beautifully proportioned, big hips, long neck, everything you want to see. He’s a really good moving horse and all the end users are finding him,” said Gainesway general manager Brian Graves.
McKinzie also had the third highest priced yearling of the day with Hip 2257, a colt born Knock on the door mare Tapany His mother is the half-sister of a millionaire. Tizway winner of the Whitney Handicap (G1) at Saratoga in 2011. The colt was sold to West Bloodstock, agent for Repole Stable, for $400,000.
Hip 2116, Keeneland 2024 September Promotion
Ben McElroy spent $425,000 on behalf of AMO Racing for Hip 2116, the top-priced mare of the day. She is Maxfield out of Outstanding and excellent mare Marwa She was sent to Runnymede Farm and bred in Kentucky by Runnymede Farm, Falguieres Bloodstock and Gestut Zur Kuste Ag, et.
Amo Racing was very active at the September sale, with eight yearlings purchased. In Book 1, Amo purchased a American Pharaoh $1.35 million mare and half-sister will be champion 2-year-old Nyquist via Curlin for $1.2 million.
“It’s a good combination physically and on paper between Maxfield and the mare brings a lot of power and speed with Exceed and Excel,” said Romain Malhouitre, chairman of Runnymede Farm.
Maxfield had a successful auction, topping the sixth auction and purchasing a pair of yearlings for $1 million each in Book 1.
“(Maxfield) is a lovely, lovely horse,” said Malhouitre. “He’s a wonderful 2-year-old, (trainer) Brendan (Walsh) has always spoken very highly of him. He’s been so good throughout his career that I’m not entirely surprised he’s had such a great reception here at the auctions.
“For us (the market) is great. The market looks strong, but the reality is it’s still the same. The market here is always a bit polarised, like everywhere else in the world, but if you have good horses to put in, you know the right horses, you’ll get paid for it.”
Book 4’s opening day total of $25,234,000 for 288 yearlings was down less than 1% from last year when 321 yearlings took down the competition. Monday’s average was $87,618, up 11% from last year’s Book 4 opening day, and media revenue of $70,000 was also up double digits (13%).
There were 83 RNAs on Monday, up 22% from last year’s 51 (14%).
Gainesway again topped the list as the top consignor, with McKinzie topping the stallion list. He sold nine yearlings for a total of $1,743,000.
“I think (the market) is extremely strong here, if you have something that looks healthy, the price will be extremely high,” said Graves.
The top buyer for the second consecutive day was trainer Kenny McPeek, who bought six more for a total of $935,000.
The Keeneland September Sale will continue on September 17 at 10 a.m. ET with Hips 2391-2809 entering the ring. As of Monday evening, Keeneland had reported 42 starts in the eighth session.
