LEXINGTON, KY (Jan. 13, 2015) – The sale of Group 2 winner and classic-placed Up (IRE), a 6-year-old daughter of Galileo (IRE) in foal to War Front, for $2.2 million and her first foal, a yearling filly by War Front, for $800,000 highlighted Tuesday’s second session of the 57th annual Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale.
The price for Up, purchased by Ran Jan Racing of Californians Robert Naify and his wife, Jan Van de Bos, was the highest for a horse sold at the January Sale since 2008. Up’s yearling, acquired by Solis/Litt Bloodstock, recorded the sixth-highest price for a yearling filly in January Sale history.
“We were very pleased to have a mare of her quality and her yearling in the sale,” Keeneland Director of Sales Geoffrey Russell said. “There were three major players all competing against each other for Up. This was the first time I recall having the underbidder tell me he was sorry he couldn’t spend any more. It was good to see a mare of her quality be rewarded.”
On Tuesday, Keeneland sold 248 horses for a total of $15,191,200, a 9.5 percent decrease from the corresponding session of 2014 when 276 horses brought $16,794,200. The average of $61,255 was slightly above the $60,849 last year, and the median of $30,000 was down 14 percent from $35,000 in 2014.
Cumulatively, 452 horses have sold for $27,798,400, down 8.8 percent from $30,509,100 for 508 horses last year. The average of $61,501 is 2.4 percent above $60,057 in 2014, and the median of $30,000 is down 14 percent from $35,000.
Frank Taylor of Taylor Made Sales Agency signed the ticket for Up on behalf of Ran Jan Racing.
“We just loved the pedigree, loved War Front, loved Galileo,” he said. “The family is active. (The Naifys have) wanted a Galileo mare for a long time so we thought (Up) was the one. The plan is to take her back (to the farm). They could sell or race (her foal); they’re unsure at this point. They’re happy to have her.”
Up, out of the Spectrum mare Halland Park Lass, is a multiple group winner who was second in the Group 1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (French One Thousand Guineas) in 2012. A half-sister to Group 1 winner Dutch Art, she competed in the Breeders’ Cup World Championships in 2011 and 2012.
Up was followed in the ring by her yearling filly.
“A great foal out of a (Group) 2-winning mare,” said Katey Caddel of Solis/Litt about the purchase. “We bought her for LNJ Foxwoods, who plan on racing her and adding her to their broodmare band eventually.”
Up and her yearling filly both were consigned by Four Star Sales, which led all consignors during the session by selling 22 horses for $3,620,000. Four Stars set a personal best with the sale of the $2.2 million mare.
“They both did very well and represented themselves very well,” Four Stars Managing Partner Kerry Cauthen said about the pair. “They were the kind of horses you look at each day and you like them a bit more – truly not just in the sense that they’re going to bring a lot of money. They just exude class. Those are the types, the Galileo with War Front and Danzig line; it’s just a tremendous cross. We were very privileged to be able to sell (them).”
The session’s second-highest-priced mare was Grade 2 winner Carolyn’s Cat, sold to Hidden Brook, agent, for $450,000. The 10-year-old daughter of Forestry, carrying a foal by Blame, was consigned by Lisa and Tim Turney, agent.
The January Sale continues through Thursday. Sessions begin daily at 10 a.m. ET. The entire sale is streamed live at Keeneland.com.