Keeneland September Sale Graduate Swiss Skydiver Wins Preakness

Keeneland September Yearling Sale graduates finished 1-2-3 in the $1 million Preakness (G1) at Pimlico, with the filly Swiss Skydiver outdueling Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Authentic in the stretch to prevail by a head. Jesus’ Team finished third. 

The daughter of Daredevil becomes the sixth filly to win the Preakness and the first since Rachel Alexandra in 2009. Her time of 1:53.28 was the second-fastest in Preakness history, behind Secretariat’s record 1:53.

The victory guarantees her a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Keeneland on Nov. 7.

Trainer Kenny McPeek purchased Swiss Skydiver at the 2018 September Sale for $35,000 from the consignment of Select Sales, agent. WinStar Farm bred the filly, who is owned by Peter J. Callahan. 

Keeneland sales have produced 26 Preakness winners, including 11 of the past 14 with War of Will taking the race in 2019. Other winning sales graduates during that span are Curlin (2007), Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown (2008), Lookin At Lucky (2010), Shackleford (2011), Kentucky Derby winner I’ll Have Another (2012), Oxbow(2013), Exaggerator (2016), Cloud Computing (2017) and undefeated Triple Crown winner Justify (2018).

This year, Swiss Skydiver also has won the Alabama (G1), Santa Anita Oaks (G2), Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) and Fantasy (G3), and finished second in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) and Keeneland’s Toyota Blue Grass (G2).