Record Pace Continues at Keeneland

Expect An Angel topped the Thursday session of the 2006 Keeneland January horses of all ages sale when Stonewall Farm/Atoka went to $440,000 to secure the broodmare prospect. The sale, which surpassed last year's total gross on day three this year, is on pace to break the all-time January record gross.

Through the first four days of the sale 979 head have been sold for a gross of $62,641,400, an increase of 23.5% over last year's gross of $50,730,800 when 1,009 were sold. The average of $63,985 is up 27.3% compared to last year's figure of $50,278. The median increased 60% from $20,000 in 2005 to $32,000.

"The sale continues to roll along," said Geoffrey Russell, Keeneland director of sales. "It's very successful in all categories and just a continuation of the November and September sales. There is a lot of discretionary income right now."

The 2006 sale is on pace to surpass the 1988 January sale which established an all-time record for that sale with a gross of $66,694,900 from 1,339 head sold. That January sale featured the Nelson Bunker Hunt dispersal, which grossed $46,912,800 from 580 head sold.

For the day, the sale company reported 236 head sold for a gross of $6,358,100, which was an increase of 8% from last year's session gross of $5,885,900 when 259 head sold. The average rose 18.6% from $22,725 last year to $26,941. The median remained level at $12,000.

The buy-back rate of 24.8% rose 26.5% from last year's session total of 19.6%.

Jim FitzGerald's Knockgriffin Farm consigned Expect An Angel, a 6-year-old daughter of Valid Expectations, to the sale. David Robbins bred Expect An Angel out of the Caller I.D. mare Leah's Angel in Florida.

Grade III winner Expect An Angel is from the family of multiple stakes winner Morris Code and stakes winner Katzen.

The sale continues through Sunday, with sessions beginning at 10 a.m.
Hip-by-Hip Results from Keeneland.com