Darley shuttler Street Sense was represented by the second-highest-priced yearling to ever sell at the Keeneland January Sale on Tuesday.
The Day 2 leader, who is a half-sister to G1 winners Certify and Cry and Catch Me, was purchased by Regis Farms for $1.45 million. The only other yearling to make more money at the Keeneland January Sale has been Inkling (Seeking the Gold) who brought $3.40 million from Demi O’Byrne in 1998.
Vendor Alfred Nuckols of Hurstland Farm initially thought the filly would bring $300,000 to $350,000. “But everybody was interested and we started to hear from a lot of people telling us what a lovely filly she was,” Nuckols said. “I’ve had the whole family for four generations and she’s probably the nicest filly to come along so far.”
Street Sense has just completed his fifth season shuttling to Darley Australia at a $38,500 (inc gst) fee. Instead of travelling back to Kentucky, he was re-routed to Darley Japan.
While the Street Sense yearling proved to be the highest-priced horse on Day 2 at Keeneland, there was strong interest in young mares and broodmare prospects. A pair of half sisters offered from the late Barbara Hunter’s Brownwood Farm operation garnered $1.95 million.
Agent Craig Bandoroff signed the ticket for Keertana (Johar) at $1 million while Audley Farm, breeder of Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes runner-up Bodemeister, landed Snow Top Mountain (Najran) for $950,000.
Meanwhile, the beginning of the 79-horse Fares Farm dispersal provided depth on Day 2. The dispersal, consigned by Lane’s End, included 10 lots that reached or surpassed $200,000. “Fares Farm generated interest in the overall sale,” Keeneland vice president Walt Robertson said. “When you bring in a quality group, you bring in buyers and other horses. It all works and we saw today.”
The highest-priced horse from the Fares dispersal was stakes-winning mare Supreme, who was purchased for $800,000 by Stonestreet Thoroughbreds. The 6-year-old Empire Maker mare, who is from a sister to Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos, is in foal to Giant’s Causeway.
The Day 2 average was up 38% to $80,700 and turnover increased 23% to $20.01 million. The five-day sale runs through to Friday. Full details can be viewed at: www.keeneland.com