A lifetime breeding right to leading sire Nyquist sold for $1.25 million to Don Alberto Corporation to headline the third Keeneland Championship Sale Wednesday evening at historic Castleton in Lexington.

“Nyquist right now is the top stallion with Gun Runner, Into Mischief and Curlin,” said Fernando Diaz-Valdes of Don Alberto. “Nyquist is a hot commodity. Everybody wants to breed to him. We need to send our top mares to top stallions, and Carlos (Heller of Don Alberto) wants to have the top stallion. “That is why we wanted this and I think it was the right price.

Bluegrass Thoroughbred Services, agent, consigned the lifetime breeding right to Nyquist, who stands at Darley in Lexington.

Held each year near the host track of the Breeders’ Cup, the Championship Sale brought exceptional Thoroughbred racing and breeding opportunities to market, offering buyers the chance to acquire interests in elite horses just days before the Oct. 30-31 World Championships.

“I love it (the Championship Sale),” Diaz-Valdes added. “I think it is great. It’s so unique, and I think Keeneland did a fantastic job. I hope in the future we can have more opportunities like this. That would be fantastic.”

“This sale was held at Del Mar the past two years, so bringing it to the Bluegrass for the first time gave us an opportunity to showcase the event in the heart of horse country, and I think that elevated it to a whole new level,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “It was an incredible evening that showcased the best of the Thoroughbred world and served as the perfect addition to Breeders’ Cup Week. With the September Yearling Sale, Fall Meet and now this event leading into the Breeders’ Cup, Keeneland truly is the center of the Thoroughbred world. We’re thrilled to have welcomed this sale to Kentucky and look forward to building on this experience in the years ahead.”

The following also sold at the Championship Sale:

Life Is Good — A lifetime breeding right in the stallion at WinStar Farm in Versailles, Kentucky, sold for $775,000 to Fergus Galvin, agent. The consignor was Hill ‘n’ Dale at Xalapa, agent.

Ballinea Star (IRE) — 100% ownership interest in the Group 3 winner entered in Friday’s John Deere Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) sold for $650,000 to David Fennelly-Mountmellick Farm. The consignor was St George Sales, agent for Aguiar Racing.

Englishman — 2.5% fractional interest (breeding rights only) in the 3-year-old colt by Maxfield entered in Saturday’s Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) sold for $650,000 to Bourbon Meadows Farm. The consignor was Lane’s End, agent.

Upstart — 2.5% fractional interest (stallion share) in the leading sire, who stands at Airdrie Stud in Midway, Kentucky, sold for $325,000 to AGT Livestock. The consignor was Claiborne Farm, agent.

Liam Smith — 25% fractional interest in the 3-year-old Midshipman colt entered in Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint sold for $250,000 to Madaket Stables. The consignor was Altamira Racing Stable.

Iron Man Cal — 25% fractional interest in the 4-year-old Collected gelding entered in Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) sold for $200,000 to Meah/Lloyd Bloodstock, agent for TCC Stables. The consignor was Little Red Feather Racing and Madaket Stables.

“I like Billy Koch (of Red Feather Racing),” buyer Michael Iavarone said. “We hadn’t had a horse together in quite a while, so it was it was an opportunity really to partner up with him. I like the horse (Iron Man Cal). The horse is nice. I think the horse got a tough assignment this weekend, but we’re going to have a really good time on Saturday together.

“Today was incredible,” Iavarone added, “and I think it (the Championship Sale) is going to grow from here. I think Keeneland is going to continue to do the right thing and make it bigger and bigger and bigger. This is amazing.”

Iavarone also purchased a 25% interest in Breeders’ Cup Sprint entrant Little Thunder in a post-sale transaction.

Castleton remains on market

Castleton Farm, one of the Bluegrass’s most storied Thoroughbred properties, was the final offering of the Championship Sale in a first-of-its-kind collaboration between Keeneland and Bluegrass Sotheby’s International Realty. While bidding did not meet the property’s reserve, Castleton will remain on the market with Bluegrass Sotheby’s International Realty.

The offering and the unprecedented partnership between Keeneland and Bluegrass Sotheby’s International Realty garnered widespread international media attention, shining a spotlight on Castleton, the Championship Sale and the appeal of Thoroughbred ownership, while showcasing Central Kentucky to a global audience during Breeders’ Cup Week.

“We wanted the world to know about Castleton, and we believe this extraordinary collaboration accomplished exactly that,” said Ken Donworth, Listing Broker with Bluegrass Sotheby’s International Realty. “Shane Ryan and his family were willing to think outside the box, and the resulting collaboration and marketing campaign were unlike anything I’ve experienced.”

“We are grateful to Shane Ryan and his family for welcoming us to Castleton as the setting for the Championship Sale, and to Sotheby’s for their collaboration on this truly unique offering,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “Castleton provided a spectacular backdrop for an evening that celebrated Thoroughbred ownership and showcased Keeneland and Central Kentucky to a global audience.”

Castleton remains available through Bluegrass Sotheby’s International Realty. Private viewings may be scheduled by contacting Ken Donworth at 859 983-9933.