Keeneland Gross Surpasses Total for 2003 Sale

With seven days remaining, gross receipts for Keeneland's November Breeding Stock Sale already top last year's total. Through Friday's fifth session of the 12-day auction, Keeneland has sold 1,180 horses for $236,323,000, an average of $200,274 and a median of $93,500.

Last year's 11-day breeding stock sale grossed $236,070,900 for 2,614 horses. At this point in the sale a year ago, 1,123 horses had been sold for $201,790,500, an average of $179,689 and a median of $80,000.

Friday's fifth session produced mixed results, with the gross revenue and average price falling from last year's comparable figures and the median price increasing. The setbacks, however, were small, and the cumulative results for the sale remained well ahead of last year's pace.

"It was very consistent with last year's market," said Geoffrey Russell, Keeneland's director of sales. "The sale experienced great growth (at a similar point) in 2003, and we are keeping pace with that growth.

Keeneland reported that 266 horses were sold for a gross of $15,031,500, an average of $56,509, and a median of $45,000. The gross and average declined 2.3% and 1.2%, respectively, while the median advanced 12.5%. In 2003, the 269 horses sold grossed $15,386,500 and averaged $57,199. The median was $40,000.

Storm Teal, an 11-year-old daughter of Storm Bird, brought Friday's top price of $270,000 while in foal to El Corredor. Brereton C. Jones, agent, purchased the unraced chestnut mare from John Sikura's Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency, agent.

Storm Teal is the dam of Gold Storm (by Seeking the Gold), winner this year of the Arlington Breeders' Cup Sprint Handicap and the J.R. Straus Memorial Stakes. Storm Teal also is a full sister to English group III winner Stonehatch and a half-sister to grade I winner Danger's Hour and stakes-placed runner and stakes producer Sheila Dacre.

During the auction's first five days, Keeneland sold 1,180 horses for a gross of $236,323,000, an average of $200,274, and a median of $93,500. Last year, through five sessions, the results were 1,123 horses sold for a gross of $201,790,500, an average of $179,689, and a median of $80,000.

The sale runs through Nov. 19, with sessions beginning each day at 10 a.m. (EDT).

Results, leading buyer, leading consignor, leading sire lists from Keeneland