Keeneland realized substantial across-the-board increases for Thursday’s single-day November Horses of Racing Age Sale, with double-digit gains in average and median driven by strong trade and the sale of two juveniles, the winning filly Alyeska for $675,000 and the colt Captain Cook, for $410,000, both sold to Steven W. Young, agent, and consigned by Gainesway, agent for the Estate of John Hendrickson. 

Today, Keeneland sold 105 horses through the ring for $8,613,000, an increase of 9.52% from last year’s total of $7,864,000 for 155 horses sold through the ring. The average of $82,029 rose 61.68% from $50,735 in 2023, while the median was up 66.67% from $30,000 to $50,000. The clearance rate was 88%.

“The sale today was vibrant from the very get-go,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “Every year has a little bit of a different dynamic, but there was very little weakness in that market. We had almost a 90% clearance rate, median jumped 66% and average is up 61%. That’s seriously strong. We were $800,000 over last year’s gross with a third less horses. It shows the demand for quality stock. I really appreciate the people that supported us because it goes to prove that when you get the right environment, this is the right place to do it. The sellers were extremely happy, and the buyers were delighted to get the horses they got.” 

“Just to echo what Tony said, there was great excitement in the building and we ran out of horses. That’s the best kind of description of the sale,” Keeneland Senior Director of Sales Operations Cormac Breathnach said. “When something goes that well you wish there were two more barns full to lead through because everybody was here right to the end trying to scrap and get quality bloodstock. That’s rewarding for us as an entire sales team to see that environment come to life. 

“The market was good all the way through,” Breathnach added. “There weren’t any holes in particular. A few horses didn’t get done, but I wouldn't be surprised if there’s some post-sale activity on those as well. A lot of international buyers were still here. They stayed all the way through the Breeding Stock Sale. Mike Trombetta was active for Larry Johnson. Steve Young was very active. And a lot of domestic powerhouse players as well. It was a really fun sale.” 

Gainesway, agent for the Hendrickson horses, consigned Alyeska, Captain Cook and six other horses, most from the family of champion Bird Town, Belmont (G1) winner Birdstone and Grade 2 winner Bird Song who were bred and raced in the name of Hendrickson’s wife, Marylou Whitney. 

Young, who also spent $200,000 for Girdwood, an unraced 2-year-old colt by McKinzie from the Hendrickson Estate, led buyers by spending $1,342,000 on five horses. 

Sale topper Alyeska, by Vekoma, captured her career debut Sept. 20 at Churchill Downs. She is out of Bird Town’s daughter Gull Island, by Giant’s Causeway.

“She is from a family that without John’s passing, she would not have come on the market,” said Young, who signed the ticket for an undisclosed buyer. “(Her family) has been with the Whitneys for 40, 50 years maybe more. She ran once like a quality horse. I think she is a very special horse. I saw her run first time out in September. I did not know about her before then.”

Captain Cook is by Practical Joke out of Grade 2-placed winner Pow Wow Wow, by Indian Charlie. Pow Wow Wow is a granddaughter of Bird Town.

“He is a nice horse,” Young said. “Had a less-than-perfect trip (finishing sixth in his Oct. 27 career debut). The horse put in two or three different runs in the race. He’s a really good horse, obviously. Beautiful action. And once again, a horse that would have never seen the market if John was still with us.”

“I think it’s a great tribute to John that these horses have been so well received,” Gainesway’s Brian Graves said. “We’re happy with the whole process, but it is a little bittersweet. 

“We thought (Alyeska) could probably bring $500,000,” Graves continued, “and she probably brought a little premium as to what we were expecting, but a lot of the other horses also exceeded their values based on what we had appraised them for. Like I said, it’s a good tribute to John and nice to see. That part is heartwarming, but it is bittersweet in that he is gone and there won’t be any more.”

At the November Breeding Stock Sale, Gainesway sold 18 horses for the Hendrickson Estate for $2,254,500. The high seller was Pretty Birdie, a daughter of Bird Song in foal to Candy Ride (ARG) purchased by Stonestreet for $1.1 million.

“There’s a value in legacy pedigrees” Breathnach said. “They were sought after, not just because there’s no reserve on their dispersals but because you’re getting a piece of somebody else’s legacy. And who better than Marylou Whitney and John Hendrickson’s program. And that goes for Mr. Janney and Siena Farm and Ed Seltzer’s Solara Farm, whose dispersals we had the privilege of helping with this November. In this day and age, there isn’t as much of that sort of family development and people feel good about trying to carry those families on.” 

In other sales today, Summerville Kyle paid $400,000 for Digital Ops, a winning 3-year-old son of Nyquist consigned by Indian Creek, agent. Out of stakes winner Flora Dora, by First Dude, the colt won his most recent race on Oct. 26 at the Belmont at the Big A meet.

Sycamore Hall Thoroughbreds/David Wade, agent, purchased the 3-year-old Tapit filly Fashion Victim for $295,000. Consigned by ELiTE, agent, she is from the family of Grade 1 winner New Year’s Day; Grade 2 winners Penny’s Reshoot, Justwhistledixie, Mohaymen and Chace City; and Grade 3 winners Enforceable and Kingly. Fashion Victim is out of the winning Distorted Humor mare Laskarina.

ELiTE, agent, also consigned Index Fund, a 4-year-old gelding by Good Magic purchased for $250,000 by Narvick/NAJD Stud. A half-brother to Grade 3 winner Last Judgment, he scored a maiden special victory on Nov. 8 at Aqueduct. Index Fund is out of the winning Forestry mare Fantasy Forest.

ELiTE was the sale’s leading consignor with sales of $2.45 million for 32 horses.