Keeneland September Yearling Sale Graduates Led by Horse of the Year Bricks and Mortar Earn Seven 2019 Eclipse Awards

Keeneland congratulates the champions of North American Thoroughbred racing in 2019 that were announced last night at the 49^thannual Runhappy Eclipse Awards dinner at Gulfstream Park. Runhappy Horse of the Year and champion male turf horse Brick and Mortar and additional division champions Covfefe, Midnight Bisou, Mitoleand Vino Rosso all are graduates of Keeneland’s September Yearling Sale.

Eclipse Awards winners were selected by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters. Keeneland sales produced 12 equine finalists.

Bricks and Mortar won the 2019 Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) to remain undefeated in six starts while earning $6,723,650 during the season. The son of Giant’s Causeway also won the Arlington Million (G1), Manhattan (G1), Old Forester Turf Classic (G1), Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1) and Muniz Memorial (G2). 

Stone Farm, agent, consigned Bricks and Mortar to the 2015 September Sale, where he sold to Oaks Bluff Partners for $200,000. (Click here for a video of Bricks and Mortar at the September Sale.)

Bricks and Mortar’s connections also won individual Eclipse Awards as outstanding horsemen: breeder George Strawbridge Jr., owners Klaravich Stables and William H. Lawrence, trainer Chad Brown and jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. All have a presence at Keeneland sales and racing.

Additional graduates of Keeneland sales who are 2019 champions are:

Covfefe (three-year-old filly, female sprinter): Alexander-Groves Thoroughbreds bred the daughter of Into Mischief, who was consigned by Gainesway, agent, to the 2017 September Sale and sold to Solis/Litt for $250,000. (Click here for a video of Covfefe at the September Sale.) LNJ Foxwoods raced Covfefe to win the 2019 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1), Test (G1) and Adena Springs Miss Preakness (G3) for trainer Brad Cox. Covfefe opened her championship season with an allowance win at Keeneland.

Midnight Bisou (older dirt female): Breeder Woodford Thoroughbreds offered the daughter of Midnight Lute at the 2016 September Sale. Raced by Bloom Racing Stable, Madakat Stables and Allen Racing, Midnight Bisou won the Apple Blossom (G1), Ogden Phipps (G1), Personal Ensign Presented by Lia Infiniti (G1), Azeri (G2), Beldame (G2), Houston Ladies Classic (G3) and Molly Pitcher (G3) and was second in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1). She was trained by Steve Asmussen.

Mitole (male sprinter): Eaton Sales, agent, consigned the son of Eskendereya to the 2016 September Sale, where he sold to Chestnut Valley Farm for $20,000. (Click here for a video of Mitole at the September Sale.) Edward A. Cox Jr. bred Mitole, who raced for L. William and Corinne Heiligbrodt and was trained by Steve Asmussen. Mitole won the 2019 Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) following victories in the Forego Presented by Encore Boston Harbor (G1), Churchill Downs Presented by Twinspires.com (G1), Runhappy Metropolitan (G1) and Count Fleet Sprint (G3).

Vino Rosso (older dirt male): John D. Gunther bred Vino Rosso, whowon the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) and Gold Cup at Santa Anita (G1), and his Glennwood Farm, agent, consigned the son of Curlin to the 2016 September Sale. J.J. Crupi purchased Vino Rosso for $410,000 as agent for owners Mike Repole and St. Elias Stable. (Click here for a video of Vino Rosso at the September Sale.) Todd Pletcher trained Vino Rosso.

Keeneland racing also was represented by these Eclipse Award-winning horses, who captured stakes during the Fall Meet:

British Idiom (two-year-old filly) won the Darley Alcibiades (G1) before taking the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1).

Uni (GB), trained by Chad Brown, won the First Lady Presented by UK HealthCare (G1) and next won the TVG Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1).

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In keeping with its mission to serve the Thoroughbred industry, Keeneland is proud to be an official partner with the National Thoroughbred Racing Association to provide sponsorship for last night’s Eclipse Awards. For the Keeneland Cocktail Party before the dinner and awards ceremony, Keeneland teamed with Maker’s Mark, a longtime supporter of Thoroughbred racing. Eclipse Award connections and guests enjoyed live music and signature cocktails, including the Maker’s Mark Keeneland Breeze.