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Sells for $550,000 to Kerri Radcliffe as averages and medians on par with last year's figures
Six-year-old mare Evocative (Pioneerof The Nile) topped the opening session of the Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale on Monday when bought for $550,000 by Kerri Radcliffe as agent.
Consigned by Bedouin Bloodstock as agent, the daughter of Pioneerof The Nile (Empire Maker) was sold in foal to Quality Road (Elusive Quality) and is a half-sister to the dual Group winner Justwhitledixie (Dixie Union) who herself produced Grade 1 winning sire New Year's Day (Street Cry) and his Grade 2 winning half-brother Mohaymen (Tapit).
"She's been bought for a commercial breeder to stay in America," Radcliffe said. "She's beautiful. Look at the pedigree. Look at the individual. The foal (Evocative's yearling filly by Quality Road) just sold for $450,000. That was beautiful."
Following Evocative in the ring was her yearling filly by Quality Road, who sold to West Bloodstock, agent for Robert and Lawanna Low, for $450,000. Jacob West said she would go to trainer Todd Pletcher.
"That is right about what we thought she would bring," West said.
"Seeing the (dam) bring ($550,000) in the ring right before gave us an idea (on the price.) I thought she was outstanding. Physically, she is unbelievable. She is a quality filly. I was blown away by the (dam). Whoever bought the mare is going to breed her to a top stallion, so there is stuff coming in the pipeline (for residual value.)"
The yearling also was consigned by Bedouin Bloodstock, agent.
"The plan was always to sell both (Evocative and her yearling) at this sale," Bedouin's Neal Clarke said.
"We really liked the mare and foal coming in here. We thought a lot of them. When we came in here, they really went down well. We weren't expecting that much for them, but we're really tickled at those prices. We always felt that foal was special.
"For her first foal to be so special, we knew the market would recognize that and it would clearly help the mare. The mare was gorgeous, but the filly pushed her up there in everyone's esteem."
One lot made $500,000 or more, Ack Naughty (Afleet Alex) who was bought by Chester and Mary Broman for $500,000. Sold in foal to Upstart (Flatter), Ack Naughty is the dam of Grade 2 winner Practical Move (Practical Joke).
"Mr. Broman has one of the original breeding rights to Into Mischief, so I have a feeling she might be going to Into Mischief," Becky Thomas, who signed the ticket, said.
Ack Naughty was consigned by ELiTE, agent.
"She was a supplement, and (the sellers) are taking advantage of a nice update," ELiTE's Liz Crow said. "We were really happy with the price."
Average and median on par with last year's figures
Overall on Monday, Keeneland sold 224 horses for $16,261,900. The average was $72,598, up from $72,537 a year ago and the median was $40,000, up from $39,500 a year ago. The aggregate was down 10 per cent from $17,989,200 recorded during last year's opening session, while the average and median prices both rose slightly from last year.
"The session was even with last year in many metrics," Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said.
"The RNA rate (31%) was a little higher than expected, but that's a little bit of people thinking they don't have to sell. If they don't get exactly what they need, they're happy to take them home. We're just happy that everybody felt there was good, healthy trade. Quality was selling and selling well. The major buyers were here and the domestic market was strong.
"It's a follow on from November; you could see a trend that was continuing," Lacy added.
"The stock that was young or had current activity in the family and the short yearlings that had good physicals and were by the right sires were in strong demand. There was great energy.
"Stability in the market is something we're all looking for. Buyers that are very active are saying it's difficult to buy. It's a factor of where the quality is very, very competitive and that's all we can ask for."