Oct. 28 auction offers ownership interests in horses targeting
the World Championships, with Castleton itself as the final lot

Keeneland has announced that an interactive catalog for the third Championship Sale at Historic Castleton on Wednesday, Oct. 28 is now available online. 

Taking place just two days before the Breeders’ Cup World Championships begin at Keeneland, the invitation-only auction will present a 2.5% share in multiple Grade 1 winner Englishman and a collection of fractional and whole interests in Breeders’ Cup contenders.

The evening will culminate with the offering of Castleton itself, one of Kentucky’s most storied horse farms.

“The Championship Sale was created to bring exceptional opportunities to market in a way that goes beyond the traditional auction experience,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “By bringing together a curated collection of offerings, an unforgettable setting and the energy of Breeders’ Cup Week, the evening is truly special. This year, with the sale coming to historic Castleton and culminating with the offering of the farm itself, we’re excited to take that experience to another level.”

2.5% Share in Grade 1 Winner Englishman among Featured Offerings

Lanes’s End, agent, consigns the 2.5% share in the 3-year-old Englishman, a contender for the Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1). The son of Maxfield captured two Grade 1 races at Saratoga this year, earning a 117 Beyer in the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial S. in August and a 115 Beyer in the Woody Stephens S. in June.

The 2.5% share represents breeding rights only in the son of Maxfield and does not include racing rights for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. Should Englishman remain in training in 2027, the shareholder will retain a 2.5% interest in the colt’s racing income and expenses for that year.

Eight additional Breeders’ Cup contenders offered

The Championship Sale also offers ownership interests in eight additional horses targeting the Oct. 30-31 Breeders’ Cup, presenting buyers with the opportunity to acquire a stake in a contender just days before the World Championships:

• Ballinea Star (IRE) (Juvenile Fillies Turf) — 100% ownership interest in the daughter of Space Blues (IRE) who defeated males in the Anglesey S. (G3) at The Curragh. From the family of Group 1 winner Rajeem (GB), Group 2 winner Invincible Army (IRE) and Grade 3 winner Tax Implications (GB), Ballinea Star (IRE) is consigned by St George Sales, agent for Aguiar Racing.
• Crazy Hot Mess (Juvenile Fillies) — 33% ownership interest in the debut Maiden Special Weight-winning 2-year-old Pinehurst filly, who was second in the Del Mar Debutante (G1) and third in the Sorrento S.(G3). She is trained by Peter Miller. The interest is consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent.
• Hell of a Spin (IRE) (Juvenile Turf Sprint) — 100% ownership interest in the winning 2-year-old son of Naval Crown (GB) who was third in Group 1, Group 2 and Group 3 races in England. Keatley Racing consigns Hell of a Spin (IRE). 
• Iron Man Cal (Dirt Mile) — 25% ownership interest in the winner of this year’s Pat O’Brien S. (G2) at Del Mar. Runner-up in the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) at Del Mar, the 4-year-old gelding is trained by Phil D’Amato. The interest is consigned by Little Red Feather Racing and Madaket Stables, LLC.
• Liam Smith (Sprint) — 25% ownership interest consigned by Altamira Racing Stable. Peter Miller trains the 3-year-old Midshipman colt, who enters the Breeders’ Cup on a two-race winning streak by a combined 17½ lengths while posting consecutive 107 Beyer Speed Figures.
• Listenupshance (Sprint) — 25% ownership interest in the 4-year-old son of Shancelot who enters the Breeders’ Cup off consecutive wins in the Bing Crosby S. (G1) and the Santa Anita Sprint Championship S. (G2). Trainer Doug F. O’Neill, Agent consigns the interest. 
• Little Thunder (Sprint) — 40% ownership interest in the Noble Bird gelding who was a last out second in Keeneland’s Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix (G2) on Oct. 2. He has three wins from five career starts, never finishing worse than second. Taylor Made Sales Agency consigns the interest.
• Primetime Emmy (AUS) (Juvenile Fillies Turf) — 25% ownership interest in the French Group 3-winning 2-year-old filly by Extreme Choice (AUS). Bred in Australia on Northern Hemisphere time and campaigned in France, she captured the Prix Eclipse (G3) at Chantilly in September. Graffard Racing, agent for Hollymount Stud, consigns the interest.

"Last year, Michael Iavarone’s purchase of a 25% interest in Bentornato, followed by his Breeders’ Cup Sprint victory three days later, is a perfect example of what makes this event so exciting for owners,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “This year’s catalog offers buyers another opportunity to acquire an interest in a Breeders’ Cup contender just days before the World Championships and share in the excitement of competing on racing’s biggest stage.”

The live auction for the Championship Sale will begin at 6:30 p.m. ET, with bidding available in-person, online and by phone. 

The interactive catalog for the Championship Sale at Championship.Keeneland.com features photos, videos, speed figures and detailed information about each entry.

Historic Castleton to be offered as final lot

In a first for Keeneland Sales history, the Championship Sale will conclude with the offering of Castleton, the historic 951-acre horse farm that will also serve as the setting for the evening’s auction. Keeneland’s world-renowned auction team will conduct the live auction, while listing agent Ken Donworth of Bluegrass Sotheby’s International Realty leads the marketing and brokerage of the approximately 951-acre property, which includes the Greek Revival residence, championship-caliber breeding and training facilities and rolling Bluegrass pastureland.

Located just minutes from downtown Lexington, Castleton not only is one of the oldest horse farms in the Bluegrass but is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful farms in the world. Castleton features a Greek Revival mansion dating to 1840, ornate ironwork gates and tree-lined drives along with 16 barns totaling 268 stalls and 10 homes. The property has been associated with generations of champions across Thoroughbred, Standardbred and American Saddlebred racing and competition.

For more information on Castleton, click here or contact listing agent Ken Donworth at [email protected] or 859 983-9933.

More about the Keeneland Championship Sale

Established in 2024, the Keeneland Championship Sale was created to bring exceptional and often unconventional Thoroughbred racing and breeding opportunities to market during one of the most significant weeks on the international racing calendar.

The first two editions of the Championship Sale, held in the paddock at Del Mar, drew an exceptional group of buyers and offerings. The 2025 sale grossed $7.675 million, led by a $3 million share in leading sire Not This Time. The inaugural 2024 sale grossed $4.325 million, topped by a $2.5 million share in Flightline.

Pre-register to participate

Attendance at the Keeneland Championship Sale is by invitation only. All prospective bidders, whether participating in-person, online or by phone, are required to pre-register by completing the Prospective Bidder Form and requesting credit at Championship.Keeneland.com. 

All horses cataloged will be offered remotely but will be available for inspection while on the track at Keeneland during Breeders’ Cup Week and during specific times while stabled on Rice Road as approved by connections.