Jewel Princess, a champion daughter of Key to the Mint, topped Keeneland's November Breeding Stock Sale with a price of $4.9 million.
Keeneland's 14-day November breeding stock sale ended Saturday with a record average and the second-highest dollar volume in the history of the auction. Keeneland sold 3,266 horses for $301,994,800 during this year's event. Last year, Keeneland sold 3,461 horses for $317,666,000. both records for thoroughbred auctions worldwide.The sale began at a record-setting pace. On the second day, buyers set a single-session record when they spent $102,450,000.The upper end of the market was particularly strong with 39 horses selling for $1 million or more. Five horses sold for $4 million or more, topped by the $4.9 million paid by John Magnier for Jewel Princess.Jewel Princess (Key to the Mint--Jewell Ridge, by Melyno) was champion older mare in 1996 when she won the Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I) and two other grade I races. She is pregnant by leading sire Storm Cat.The highest price for a weanling at the sale was $1.2 million paid by Tim Hyde for a filly by Storm Cat out of Now That's Funny. Consigned by Gaines-Gentry Thoroughbreds, the filly is a half sister to stakes winners Lucayan Prince, Comic Strip and Silver Comic.During Saturday's final session, a young mare who is pregnant by Concerto brought a top price of $90,000. Munster Bloodstock bought Magic Melody, a 4-year-old by Gulch out of Minstress, by the Minstrel. William Wofford, as agent, sold the mare.Keeneland sold 223 horses during Saturday's session for $1,661,300. The average price was $7,450.
