Keeneland Notes: Statement from Keeneland on passing of Penny Chenery

By Amy Gregory —-

Statement from Keeneland on passing of Penny Chenery

Keeneland joins the Thoroughbred community worldwide in mourning the passing of Penny Chenery. Mrs. Chenery exemplified the very best of our sport, serving as one of its most beloved and passionate ambassadors. She was a generous owner, tirelessly sharing the legacy of her great Triple Crown winner, Secretariat, with generations of fans that extended far beyond racing. Keeneland is honored to have played a role in the movie Secretariat, and to remember her 1972 Blue Grass Stakes winner Riva Ridge. We are thankful for her extraordinary contributions to racing, and we extend our deepest condolences to her family and friends.

— Bill Thomason, President and CEO, Keeneland

Half-Brother to 2017 Saratoga Special Winner Brings $625,000 to Top Strong Sunday Session at Keeneland September Sale

LEXINGTON, KY (Sept. 17, 2017) – The market continued to show strength during Sunday’s session of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, headlined by the sale of a half-brother to recent Saratoga Special (G2) winner Copper Bullet for $625,000 to Steven W. Young, agent.
Sunday’s session-topper, consigned by James M. Herbener Jr., agent, is from the first crop of Verrazano. Out of the winning Unbridled’s Song mare Allegory, the colt is from the family of Rood & Riddle Dowager winner Louve Royal (IRE) and European highweights Loup Sauvage and Loup Solitaire.
On Sunday, Keeneland sold 245 yearlings for $26,875,500, for an average of $109,696 and a median of $80,000.
Cumulatively, Keeneland has sold 1,179 yearlings for $254,913,000, for an average of $216,211 and a median of $150,000.
“Book 3 (Saturday/Sunday) went very well,” Keeneland Director of Sales Operations Geoffrey Russell said. “It was nice to have a big-priced horse today. Overall, the comments from both consignors and buyers were that the good horses sold very well and the buyers complained that they were hard to buy. So that’s a positive note.”
Oussama Aboughgazale’s International Equities Holding paid $500,000 for a colt from the first crop of champion Will Take Charge. Consigned by Anderson Farms, agent, he is out of the winning Smart Strike mare Smart Believer. The colt’s second dam is Grade 1 winner I Believe in You.
Two colts sold for $450,000 each to be the day’s third-highest priced yearlings.
A son of Curlin who is a half-brother to Swedish stakes-placed Dr Schultz brought a final bid of $450,000 from Mike Ryan, agent. Out of the A.P. Indy mare False Impression, the colt is from the family of Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Believe You Can. He was consigned by KatieRich Farms.
English bloodstock agent Oliver St. Lawrence went to $450,000 for a son of Distorted Humor out of winner Forbidden Gift, by A. P. Indy. Consigned by Mr. Brilliant Farm, the colt is from the family of Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Secret Status and Grade 3 winner and sire Alumni Hall.
A colt by More Than Ready out of Bonne Rafaela (BRZ) commanded $410,000 from R. C. Thoroughbreds. He was consigned by Four Star Sales, agent.
Three fillies sold for $400,000 each.
Ryan purchased a filly from the final crop of Scat Daddy from Hermitage Farm, agent. Out of Goforitmrsmiller, by Speightstown, she is from the family of German Oaks (G1) winner Penelopa and Grade 2 winner Miss Isella.
Ryan bought seven yearlings on Sunday for $1,990,000 to be the session’s leading buyer.
Everett Dobson’s Cheyenne Stables spent $400,000 to acquire a filly from the first crop of Cairo Prince from the family of Grade 2 winner Hello Liberty. Consigned by Brereton C. Jones/Airdrie Stud, agent, the filly is out of Incarnate Memories, by Indian Charlie.
A half-sister to stakes winner Solemn Tribute sold for $400,000 to West Point Thoroughbreds & Vosburgh. By Hard Spun out of the winning Vindication mare Loving Vindication, the filly was consigned by Anderson Farm, agent.
The session’s leading consignor, Taylor Made Sales Agency, sold 27 yearlings for $2,520,000.
The September Sale continues through Saturday, Sept. 23, with all sessions beginning at 10 a.m. ET. The entire sale is streamed live at Keeneland.com.

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For more than 80 years, the Keeneland Association has devoted itself to the health and vibrancy of the Thoroughbred industry. As the world’s largest Thoroughbred auction company, Keeneland conducts sales every January, September and November. Its sales graduates dominate racing across the globe at every level. In April and October, Keeneland offers some of the highest caliber and richest Thoroughbred racing in the world. In 2015, Keeneland hosted the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. Uniquely structured, Keeneland is a private, for-profit corporation that returns its earnings to the industry and the community in the form of higher purses, and it has donated millions of dollars in charitable contributions for education, research and health and human services throughout Central Kentucky. To learn more about Keeneland, visit Keeneland.com.