Heard on the Street

Comments from buyers and sellers at the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale:

Compiled by Ron Mitchell and
Leslie Deckard

Robert Clay, Three Chimneys Farm, consignor: "If you bring the good stuff, the buyers are here for it. It's a good, healthy market. The depth of the market is good. These rare (broodmare) commodities being in the market makes for a good overall healthy market."

Pope McLean, Crestwood Farm, consignor: "The sale is out of sight. For young stakes-winning mares or young stakes producing mares, the sky's the limit as to what they will bring. I think the renewed confidence in the nation's economic turnaround has a lot to do with the prices and getting the buyers excited."

Rick Nichols, Shadwell, buyer: "It's a very nice sale and the prices are holding very strong. We have a big broodmare band. I'm glad we're not trying to build one (now)."

David Plummer, Classic Star, buyer: "The market is up substantially and overall it's a very strong sale. We've had problems buying today, but we're hanging in there. There are a lot of nice horses to be had, and like always, the nice horses bring good money."

Geoffrey Russell, Keeneland sales director: "The quality mares brought more than our expectations. These were once in a lifetime experiences and the market reacted accordingly. It was exceedingly selective. There were horses that I didn't think lived up to expectations. They appraised them very carefully. Cash Run was a pleasant surprise."

John Sikura, Hill 'n' Dale, consignor: "We were very selective in the (weanling) foals we brought over here and they sold well. We brought one nice El Corredor colt that we would liked to have kept to sell as a yearling, but we wanted to expose him to the market. It really helps when you have these star mares. It encourages people when they see mares bringing these kinds of prices."

Duncan Taylor, Taylor Made Sales Agency, consignor: "It's been awesome. The market has been up and the market has been upbeat. It's been everything we expected it to be and more. Cash Run could look like a bargain some day. She is the type of mare that if you are looking for a stallion prospect, she could produce you one."