Mare is first seven-figure horse during auction’s fifth session

Spangled Banner, whose 2-year-old son, U. S. S. Valor, captured the Oct. 3 Champagne (G1) at Belmont Park by 6½ lengths, made history during Saturday’s fifth day of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale when she sold for $1 million to Al Ruwais Stables. In foal to Tiz the Law with a half-sibling to U. S. S. Valor, Spangled Banner is the first horse in the history of the auction to bring seven figures during Session 5.

Consigned by Bluewater Sales, agent, Spangled Banner is a 15-year-old winning daughter of Tiz Wonderful who is a half-sister to stakes winner Ladyecho. From the family of Grade 1 winner Curalina, she is out of the Eastern Echo mare Eastern Ruckus.

Spangled Banner is the 25th horse to sell for $1 million or more at this year’s November Breeding Stock Sale. In 2025, 18 horses brought seven figures.

On Saturday, Keeneland sold 246 horses through the ring for $21,397,000, for an average of $86,980 and a median of $70,000. The gross was down 15.52% from $25,328,500 in 2025, while the median was 17.65% lower than $85,000

Through five days of the auction, 1,038 horses have sold through the ring generating gross sales of $217,742,700, an average of $209,772 and a median of $115,000. The total was 1.34% above $214,871,000 from the same period last year when 1,125 horses sold for $214,871,000. The average was 9.83% above $190,996, while the median dipped 11.54% from $130,000.

At $375,000, Saturday’s highest-priced weanling was a colt by Tiz the Law purchased by Tioga Bloodstock. Out of Teasin’ Tesla, by Will Take Charge, the colt was consigned by Blandford Stud (Padraig Campion), agent, and is from the family of Grade 1 winners Cotton Blossom and Ceiling Crusher; Grade 2 winner Moana; and Grade 3 winner Vicarage. 

Wellston, whose half-sister Sister Troienne won Keeneland’s Bank of America Valley View (G2) on Oct. 23, sold in foal to Sierra Leone to Springland Farm for $335,000. Consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent, the 4-year-old daughter of Speightstown is from the family of Grade 1 winners Sadler’s Joy and Sabin and Grade 3 winners Wolfie’s Dynaghost, Binya (GER) and Fatah Flare. Her dam is Dyna Passer, a winning stakes-placed daughter of Lemon Drop Kid.

A weanling filly by Golden Pal consigned by Paramount Sales, agent, sold to Caitlin Dunne, agent for Wesley Ward, for $285,000. Out of Dawn Chorus, a winning daughter of Unbridled’s Song, she is from the family of champion Countess Diana and stakes winners Hillerito, Dawn Princess, Fighting Countess and Lotsa Mischief.

Shared Value, a 3-year-old daughter of Gun Runner in foal to Mindframe, sold to Four Star Sales, agent, for $280,000. Out of Grade 2 winner Salamera, by Successful Appeal, she is from the family of stakes winners and Grade 1-placed runners Outadore and Piedi Bianchi.

Two horses brought $260,000 each.

Cavalier Bloodstock paid the amount for a Vekoma weanling colt consigned by Bluewater Sales, agent. From the family of champions Housebuster and Straight No Chaser, he is out of stakes-placed Jill’s a Hot Mess, a winning daughter of Laoban.

Machmer Hall purchased the 5-year-old winning, stakes-placed American Pharoah filly Tahini for $260,000. Out of the winning Arch mare More Fun Again, a Grade 3-placed runner, Tahini is from the family of Grade 1 winner Antiquarian; Grade 2 winner Speaktomeofsummer; and Grade 3 winners Silver Reunion and Fondly.

The leading buyer was Al Ruwais Stables, who bought two horses for $1,110,000. At $110,000, Al Ruwais’ other purchase was Wild Mint, a 12-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro in foal to Mindframe. Wild Mint, a full sister to leading sire Violence, was consigned by KatieRich Farms.

Gainesway led consignors by selling 39 horses for $3,364,000.

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The November Breeding Stock Sale resumes Sunday and continues through Wednesday, Nov. 11 with all sessions beginning at 10 a.m. ET.

On Thursday, Nov. 12, Keeneland will hold the November Horses of Racing Age Sale. The auction begins at noon. Click here for the online catalog.

All Keeneland sales are streamed live on Keeneland.com.