Listed Excelsior Stakes-placed Masmak (Vino Rosso), consigned by ELiTE as agent, was sold for $375,000 after the conclusion of the Keeneland April Selected Horses of Racing Age sale, and is officially the auction topper, Keeneland announced Saturday afternoon.
Changing hands to Cromwell Bloodstock, the chestnut is out of GSP Nite In Rome (Harlan’s Holiday), making him a half-brother to ‘TDN Rising Star‘ MGSW Three Technique (Mr Speaker) and MSW & MGSP Stan the Man (Broken Vow). With the new sale, the results have been updated as follows: 47 horses sold for $4,329,000, up 7 per cent from last year’s gross of $3,940,000 when 54 sold. The average rose 27 per cent from $72,963 to $92,106 while the media rose 69 per cent to $65,000 from last year’s mark of $38,5000.
ELiTE was the auction’s leading consignor with all 25 of their horses selling for a gross of $2.3-million–representing 53 per cent of the sale’s total gross–and an average of $92,000 as well as a median of $65,000.
“Although digital sales might have impacted the entire sale’s gross numbers offered at Keeneland’s April live sale, we were able to offer and sell our biggest and best draft to date at this sale this year,” ELiTE’s Brad Weisbord said.
“You can’t beat the atmosphere of a live sale, and that will generally align with a very high clearance rate. It’s safer and more fun to shop at and attend live sales. This was a win-win for everyone. It’s what we are all about–pleasing both buyers and sellers.”
Offered on behalf of Phil and Christine Hatfield’s CHP Racing, hip 40, the 4-year-old colt Clever Mischief (Into Mischief) was purchased by Team Adams Racing’s Tracy Adams for $220,000. The son of Suraya (Tiznow) most recently took his record to 2-3-0 from six starts with a last-lunge allowance success over the Gulfstream turf course Mar. 1 for trainer Chad Brown. His year-younger half-sister Lady Authentic (Authentic) sold later in the session for $37,000.
“That’s the one we wanted,” Adams said. “We’ve got our trainer (Dana Hancock) with us. I’ve got my co-owner (Sal Perito here), so they’re the ones that really take care of this whole thing. So when they tell me when (to bid on a horse), that’s what I go by.”
Marquee Bloodstock paid $200,000 for 4-year-old ‘TDN Rising Star’ Speak Easy (Constitution, hip 17) while owner Michael Dubb went to the same amount for the 4-year-old colt Exploration (Curlin), winner of two straight, including a Laurel allowance Mar. 1.
“This sale was a lovely complement to the race meet,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “Everyone here tonight was having fun, and there was a buzz around the grounds. The energy from the race day rolled down the hill from the race track to the Sales Pavilion, and we look forward to even more excitement when we open our new venues.”
A recap of the sale, and ELiTE’s results, may be found here.
Article taken from the TDN:
