(Keeneland release)

Gross sales rose for a third consecutive day on Friday at Keeneland’s November breeding stock sale, led by the sale of Dancing Shoes, in foal to Unbridled's Song  , for $400,000. 
            
Gross receipts for Friday’s session totaled $20,399,700, up 23.22% from the $16,556,000 posted last year. The session average of $83,605 increased 1.5% from $82,368 recorded in 2008, while the median of $60,000 was down 7.69% from last year’s $65,000. A total of 244 horses were sold this year compared to 201 in 2008.

“There is a sense of realism at this sale; it is much more consistent,” said Geoffrey Russell, Keeneland’s director of sales. “There is a lot more American participation and a number of different people buying horses. Those are good and healthy signs.”

Following four days of selling, gross sales totaled $118,884,200, down 9.4% from $131,281,000 in 2008. Average decreased 17.11% from $181,327 to $150,296.  The median of $95,000 was down 5% from $100,000 recorded last year. 

“People have come to an understanding of where we are in this market,” Russell said, commenting on the not sold rate, which was down 46.13% on Friday. “The credit goes to the consignors in their appraisals. It’s a very difficult market, but consignors have obviously adjusted very well.”

Horse France went to $400,000 to purchase Dancing Shoes to top Friday’s session. By Danehill, the 9-year-old Dancing Shoes is out of the stakes-winning Affirmed mare Emmaline, a half-sister to champion and sire Bates Motel and group I winner and sire Super Asset. She was consigned by Four Star Sales, agent for Glencrest Farm.

Vienna Affair, in foal to Rahy, brought the day’s second-highest price of $380,000 from Bob Feld, as agent for Sagamore Farm. A 4-year-old daughter of Red Ransom, Vienna Affair is a half-sister to European stakes winners Crowded House and On Reflection. She was consigned by Royal Oak Farm, agent.

A colt from the first crop of Corinthian  , purchased for $260,000 by Dowdy Draw Farm, was the session’s top weanling. Consigned by Highclere Sales, agent, the colt is out of the stakes-winning Silver Deputy mare Silver Lace.