Authentic Leads Sweep of Keeneland September Yearling Sale Graduates in $6 Million Breeders’ Cup Classic

Keeneland sales and racing represented by 10 Breeders’ Cup World Championships winners

Spendthrift Farm, MyRacehorse Stable, Madaket Stables and Starlight Racing’s Authentic led the sweep of Keeneland September Yearling Sale graduates in Saturday’s $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), the pinnacle of the 14 races run over two days of the 37^th Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Keeneland.

Finishing second and third, respectively, in the Classic were Improbable and Global Campaign.

Authentic, who also won this year’s Kentucky Derby (G1) Presented by Woodford Reserve, TVG.com Haskell (G1), San Felipe (G2) and Sham (G3), sold for $350,000 to SF Bloodstock/Starlight West at the 2018 September Sale. He was consigned by Bridie Harrison, agent for breeder Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds.

Improbable and Global Campaign both were sold at the 2017 September Sale. Maverick Racing and China Horse Club paid $200,000 for Improbable, who was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent. Sagamore Farm purchased Global Campaign from the consignment of Select Sales, agent, for $250,000.

Improbable also sold as a weanling for $110,000 at Keeneland’s 2016 November Breeding Stock Sale. Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent, acquired him from Lane’s End, agent.

This year’s November Sale runs Nov. 9-18.

A total of seven Keeneland sales graduates won on Championship Saturday. The others were:

Monomoy Girl, winner of the $2 million Distaff (G1), sold to BSW Bloodstock/Liz Crow, agent, for $100,000 at the 2016 September Sale. The champion was consigned by Gainesway, agent. Trained by Brad Cox and ridden by Florent Geroux, Monomoy Girl is owned by Michael Dubb, Monomoy Stables, The Elkstone Group and Bethlehem Stables.

Gamine, who took the $1 million Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) in track-record time for 7 furlongs, sold to Grand Oaks for $220,000 at the 2018 September Sale. She was consigned by Summerfield, agent for Stonestreet Bred & Raised. Bob Baffert trains Gamine for Michael Lund Petersen. She was ridden by John Velazquez.

Knicks Go, who set a 1-mile track record when he won the $1 million Big Ass Fans Dirt Mile (G1), is a graduate of two Keeneland sales. He was a weanling when Bill Reightler, agent for Greenmount Farm, consigned him to Keeneland’s 2016 November Breeding Stock Sale, where he sold for $40,000 to Northface Bloodstock. The following year, Woods Edge Farm, agent, consigned Knicks Go to the September Sale, where he sold to owner Korea Racing Authority for $87,000. Joel Rosario rode Knicks Go for trainer Brad Cox.

On Future Stars Friday, these graduates of the 2019 September Sale captured Breeders’ Cup races:

·       Vequist, who won the $2 million Juvenile Fillies (G1), was offered by Brookdale Sales, agent. Robert E. “Butch” Reid Jr. trains Vequist for Gary Barber, Wachtel Stable and Swilcan Stable. She was ridden by Joel Rosario

·       Fire At Will, winner of the $1 million Juvenile Turf (G1) Presented by Coolmore America, was consigned by Select Sales, agent, and sold to owner Three Diamonds Farm for $97,000. Mike Maker trains Fire At Will, who was ridden by Ricardo Santana Jr.

·       Golden Pal, who won the $1 million Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2), was offered by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent. Ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. for Wesley Ward, Golden Pal is owned by Ranlo Investments.

Breeders’ Cup Winners Come from Keeneland Fall Meet

The Breeders’ Cup victory marked the second consecutive Keeneland track record-setting performance for Knicks Go, who lowered the mark for 1 1/16 miles in an allowance here on Oct. 4. He is one of four Breeders’ Cup winners who raced at Keeneland during the Fall Meet.

Also on Saturday:

Whitmore won the $2 million Sprint (G1) after running fourth in the Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix (G2) on Oct. 2. Trainer Ron Moquett co-owns Whitmore with Robert LaPenta and Head of Plains Partners. He was ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr.

On Friday, the Breeders’ Cup winners who last raced during the Fall Meet were:

Godolphin’s undefeated Essential Quality captured the $2 million TVG Juvenile (G1) Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance after earning a berth to the race by winning Keeneland’s Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1) on Oct. 3. Luis Saez rode Essential Quality for trainer Brad Cox.

Cox also trains undefeated Aunt Pearl (IRE), who took the $1 million Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) after earning a berth to the race via her win in the JPMorgan Chase Jessamine (G2) on Oct. 7. Florent Geroux rode the winner for owners Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, Peter Deutsch, Michael E. Kisber, The Elkstone Group and Bethlehem Stables.