Keeneland Breaks January Gross Sales Record

History was made Friday when Grand Score went through the ring at the Keeneland January Horses of All Ages sale as the 5-year-old horse's purchase price of $25,000 pushed the sale to a new record gross.

Purchased by Peach Tree Farm as a racing or stallion prospect from the Sugar Grove Farm consignment Friday, Grand Score's sale pushed the January gross to a record $68,174,100, exceeding the previous record of $66,694,900 set in 1988 when the Nelson Bunker Hunt Dispersal brought in more the $46.9 million.

"The strength of the sale is reflected in the fact that we surpassed the record January gross with a solid, middle-market catalog," said Geoffrey Russell, Keeneland's director of sales. "The dynamics of the January sale have changed; the perception is totally different. This is a major international sale, considered to be a continuation of the November (breeding stock) sale."

Through five days of the seven-day auction, Keeneland has sold 1,213 horses for $68,019,900, an increase of 30.3%. The cumulative average was $56,076 and the median was $25,000, representing increases of 28.4% and 56.3%, respectively. In addition, a breeding right was sold for $150,000 and three stallion shares accounted for an additional $4,200 in receipts.

Keeneland reported 234 horses were sold Friday for a gross of $5,378,500, up 261% over the $1,489,000 gross for the comparable session one year ago when 187 horses were reported sold. The session average of $22,985 represented a gain of 188.5% over the $7,967 figure in 2005, and the median rose 88.9% to $8,500 from $4,500.

The session's top price of $600,000 was paid by Secret Forest, a 5-year-old mare by Foresty consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, as a broodmare prospect. A half-sister to stakes winners Top Secret, Tate and West's Secret, Secret Forest had finished second by a head in the Garland of Roses Handicap at Aqueduct on Dec. 3, 2005.

Friday's second-highest price of $575,000 was paid by Blackjack Stables for the 5-year-old mare Divine Lady, by Kris S. Sold as a racing or broodmare prospect, Divine Lady is a half-sister to 2005 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) winner Bandini. She was also consigned to the sale by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent.

The sale continues through Sunday.

Hip-by-Hip Results from Keeneland.com