Keeneland's November sale completed its seventh of 11 sessions Nov. 11 in Lexington and showed no sign of slowing momentum.
The session grossed $8,960,100 for 304 horses. That was up 60.4% from last year's session gross for 271 horses, and the average and median also continued a sale-long pattern of gains. Monday's average price was $29,474, a 43% increase over last year, and the $24,500 median was 44.1% ahead of last year's figure. The buybacks were down, from 17.4% in 2012 to 10.9%.
Cumulatively, the November sale's first seven sessions have seen 1,643 horses sold, as compared to 1,473 by this point a year ago, and the aggregate at the end of Monday's business stood at $179,416,800, 37.8% higher than last year's total. The seven-day average of $109,201 advanced 23.6%, and the $52,000 median jumped 30%.The buyback percentage overall also was down, dropping from last year's 25.2% to just 16.4%.
Worldly, third-place finisher in the recent Breeders' Cup Marathon (gr. II), was one of two horses sold for the session-topping price of $200,000. The Xavier International Bloodstock agency bought the 6-year-old A.P. Indy horse. Chris Brothers, who signed the ticket, said Worldly was purchased on behalf of owner Al Shareef Hazza Al Abdali of Saudi Arabia to race and eventually enter stud. The St. George Sales agency consigned Worldly as a racing or stallion prospect.
Worldly is out of the dual grade I winner and Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) runner-up Urbane, by Citidancer. He's a full brother to a graded winner and track record-setter in Suave.
The seventh session's top-priced mare also brought $200,000. That was the El Prado mare Bella Felicita. The 4-year-old mare was cataloged in foal to Adena Springs stallion Macho Uno and sold to Preferred Equine, which acted as agent for Lindy Farms.
Adena Springs consigned Bella Felicita and also was the seventh session's leading seller by gross with 30 horses totaling $1,091,700. The leader by average (three or more sold) was Pope McLean, whose seven horses averaged $55,571.
The late El Prado was the session's leading sire by gross and average price (three or more sold) with six bringing $394,000. Pensioner A.P. Indy led by average (three or more sold) with three averaging $115,000.
Macho Uno was top covering sire with eight in-foal mares totaling $373,000. WinStar's first-year stallion Gemologist led covering sires by average price (three or more sold) after three of his mares brought an average price of $217,000.
The day's most expensive weanling was a $165,000 Gio Ponti colt that a buyer listed as JCDW purchased from Beau Lane Bloodstock. The Jan. 11 colt is out of the stakes-placed Kissin Kris mare Kissin Party and was foaled in Ontario.
Monday's leading buyer by gross was El Aventurero Stables with $267,000 in total expenditure for five horses. Calumet led the session by average price tag (three or more purchased), buying three horses for a $60,667 average.
The Keeneland November sale runs through Nov. 14 at the Keeneland sale pavilion. Sessions start at 10 a.m. each day.
