A pair Nyquist The colts topped the Keeneland September Yearling Sale’s fourth yearling auction, both surpassing the $1 million mark on September 12 as the buyer volume and yearling quality held through the end of Book 2.
“We really want to thank the breeders and consignors who supported us. This is a fantastic yearling litter. They were very generous in sending us what they needed to catalogue,” said Cormach Breathnach, director of sales operations at Keeneland.
Maverick Racing, China Horse Club and Siena Farm became the first buyers to reach seven figures on Day 4 at Lexington, paying $1.3 million for a Nyquist colt (Hip 984) from Bernardini winner Spa treatment is the daughter of the first prize winner Silver Knockers .
Hip 984 was delivered by Blake-Albina Thoroughbred Services to breeders Springhouse Farm and Hunter Valley Farm.
“We’ve always liked him (Hip 984), he’s a big, beautiful colt, he moves really well and he’s very well behaved. We knew there would be a few people chasing him, we just didn’t know how far they would go,” said Ron Blake of Blake-Albina Thoroughbreds.
“Obviously Nyquist over Bernardini is a great match. One of our favorites of the entire sale, Book 1, Book 2, no problem. We’re very bullish on him,” said Elliott Walden of WinStar Farm, who signed the ticket on behalf of the buying partner.
“He’s that kind of horse,” Blake said in response to Walden’s comment. “He could be anything. I really thank them for buying the horse; they’ve stepped up.”
Among the top performers at Nyquist this year are Immerse yourself recent winner of the Spinaway Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race TrackShe came out of the Bernardini mare. Year off Other winners bred by Nyquist on the same cross include the 2020 Summer Stakes (G1T) winner and the 2-year-old Canadian Champion colt The Great Gretzky Lexington Stakes (G3) winner Encino and Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) winner Nysos .
Nyquist, 2015 champion at age 2 Uncle Mo has had a remarkable year both on the track and in the sales ring. In addition to Immersive, he has been represented by undefeated Tenma winner of the Del Mar Debutante Stakes (G1) on September 7; winner of the Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1) Random ; and Shoemaker Mile Stakes (G1T) winner Johannes .
“There are a lot of people who like that horse (Hip 984), and now they’re going to have to race him,” Blake said.
Darley’s Nyquist was represented by a second yearling to fetch a seven-figure price in the closing hours of Day 4 when John Stewart’s Resolute Bloodstock sold for $1.2 million to Hip 1114, a Nyquist colt consigned by Indian Creek as an agent.
(LR): Sarah Sutherland of Indian Creek with John Stewart and Gavin O’Connor of Resolute Bloodstock
County Line Farms bred the colt in Kentucky Candy Trip Daughter Candy Exchange is the full sister of 2010 Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner and sire Sidney’s Candy and the 3rd grade winner Sweet exchange From four racing-age colts, Candy Swap has produced winners Bluegrass Road (Quality Road ), who set a 1 1/4-mile track record on turf when he won the 2021 Kentucky Downs Preview Turf Cup Stakes at Ellis Park.
“The stallion speaks for itself; he can do no wrong at the moment. He (Hip 1114) has a really good pedigree, a classic road racehorse, and I think he’s not even at his peak at the moment. He’s a great moving horse, it’s going to be fun to watch and follow,” said Sarah Sutherland of Indian Creek.
When asked what stood out about Hip 1114, she said: “His movement and energy. He’s just one of those horses that really shows that he wants to do it. I think he’ll want to train and push forward in everything he does. He never tires, he’s a very happy little horse. He doesn’t let us down at all.”
Nyquist colt consigned as Hip 1114 sells for $1.2 million at Keeneland September Yearling Sale
The average price for the fourth session was $286,103 from 223 head sold for a total of $63,801,000. The average price was $250,000. Of the 317 yearlings that passed the auction block, 94 were bought back, resulting in an RNA rate of 29.7%.
“For us it’s been fantastic, I think the horses, if you’re in the right position, things will go really well and you’ll be rewarded. The market is very strong for the top horses. I think it’s going to continue to spread,” Sutherland said.
“I think this shows that if we put consistency of quality in front of the right buyers, it creates a vibrant, consistent, self-sustaining market. I really feel like this gives breeders confidence to feel like they can invest in broodmares and move forward,” said Tony Lacy, vice president of sales at Keeneland.
Taylor Made was the leading consignor with a total value of $8,180,000 from 34 horses sold. Resolute was the leading buyer of the day with three purchases totaling $2,550,000. The leading stallion by total value was Not this time with 18 units sold for a total of $6,270,000. Gunman ranked second with a total revenue of $6,100,000 from 16 copies sold.
“A lot of people say, I can’t buy anything. It’s tough, it’s too strong. So I hope that continues, and there will be quality horses all the way here. We just have to stay and keep working,” Sutherland said.
The Keeneland September Yearling auction will continue on September 14 at 10:00 a.m. ET with 1,133 to 1,550 horses entering the ring for the fifth auction and the start of Book 3. As of Thursday evening, Keeneland had reported 34 eliminations.
