Tip Top Thomas, a 4-year-old colt by Volatile who was second in the Champagne (G1) at 2 and won the Indiana Derby (G3) at 3, sold to Blandford Bloodstock for $460,000 to record the highest price of Thursday’s Keeneland November Horses of Racing Age Sale. Tip Top Thomas is intended to continue his racing career in Dubai. 

Keeneland sold a total of 84 horses for $7,798,000, for an average of $92,833 and a median of $52,500. Compared to the 2025 sale, the gross declined 25.41% from 10,455,000, and the average dipped 4.10%. The median jumped 31.25% from $40,000. 

The sale featured strong buyer participation, with all but one horse finding a buyer. Two additional horses that did not meet their reserves through the ring were successfully placed post-sale. 

“There is a real appetite for racehorses in the market right now, and the clearance rate is a clear reflection of that demand,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “As owners and trainers look ahead to a new racing season, there is an opportunity to add new talent, strengthen their stables and find horses that fit their plans. This sale is well-positioned to meet that demand by giving buyers a chance to make those additions and sellers an opportunity to connect with an active audience.” 

Stuart Boman signed the ticket for Tip Top Thomas on behalf of Blandford Bloodstock. 

“He will go to Dubai for the (Racing) Carnival races (at Meydan Racecourse),” Boman said. “This (purchase) is for an existing client who I usually buy for in Europe. We decided to come to America to try to buy some dirt horses. (Tip Top Thomas) is a quick horse with good gate speed. He is lightly raced with a big future ahead of him. Americans lead the way in breeding dirt horses. A lot of countries come to America to source these kinds of horses. We are lucky to get him.” 

A half-brother to stakes winner Gray Attempt out of the winning Consolidator mare Attempt to Name, Tip Top Thomas is from the family of Grade 2 winners Tower of Texas and Street Sounds.  

“We are enthusiastic about this sale,” Boman added. “Buying horses like this privately is not an easy process. So when opportunities like this come along, you grab them.” 

Tip Top Thomas was consigned by ELiTE, agent, the auction’s leading consignor with sales of $3,200,000 for 32 horses.  

In other sales, 

Grade 2 winner and $1.8 million earner Tiztastic, who ran in last year’s Kentucky Derby (G1) Presented by Woodford Reserve, sold to Winchell Thoroughbreds for $400,000. A 4-year-old colt by Tiz the Law who is a half-brother to stakes winner Interpolate, he is from the family of Grade 1 winner Strategic Maneuver; Grade 2 winner Cat Fighter; and Grade/Group 3 winners Shumoos, Ishiguru and Jennifer Lynette. ELiTE, agent, consigned Tiztastic, who captured the Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) at 3. 

Winchell Thoroughbreds had been racing Tiztastic in partnership. Winchell Racing Manager David Fiske said the colt will return to training at Churchill Downs. 

Hollywood Derby (G1) winner Salamis, a 4-year-old colt by Speightstown, sold to Fergus Galvin, agent, for $350,000. A half-brother to multiple Grade 1 winner Segesta, Salamis is a four-time winner at Aqueduct, Del Mar and Saratoga. Consigned by Lane’s End, agent for Juddmonte, he is out of Group 3 winner Antonoe, by First Defence, and from the family of Group 1 winner Mutual Trust (GB). 

“He likely will go back to (trainer) Chad Brown,” Galvin said. “Grade 1 winner as a 3-year-old last year and good runs this year. His last run was very good here at Keeneland (when fourth in an Oct. 8 allowance). His form is at the top level, and we hope it can stay that way. 

“He was obvious today,” Galvin added. “A Grade 1 winner who vetted good. A standout today.” 

Heartwood Farm paid $320,000 for Midway Memories, a 4-year-old winning daughter of Cairo Prince who is a half-sister to 2022 Toyota Blue Grass (G1) winner Zandon. Out of the Creative Cause mare Memories Prevail, she was consigned by ELiTE, agent. 

“This is a purchase for a partnership,” said Juan Aguilar, who co-owns Heartwood Farm with Sarah Sutherland. “The plan is to breed her next year — no more racing. She will go back to Heartwood and hopefully have some nice babies for us. 

“We are very familiar with the pedigree,” Aguilar continued. “We are always wanting to get into Airdrie (Stud) pedigrees. This was an opportunity and we had to stretch a little bit, but we think she is worth it. We have some of the family back home.” 

Plus Investments led buyers by spending $790,000 for five horses.