Grade 1-winning daughter of Ten Sovereigns tops opening Keeneland session at US$3.7 million

European-bred US Grade 1 winner Lush Lips topped the opening session of Keeneland’s November Breeding Stock Sale, selling for US$3.7 million to Dixiana Farm in Kentucky.

The daughter of Ten Sovereigns, who captured Keeneland’s Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup last month, headlined a buoyant start to the sale that featured 17 million-dollar lots and strong trade in the weanling market.

Lush Lips, who was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, was bought by Dixiana owner William Shively who has a desire to acquire well-performed turf mares.

“We got to see her win the Grade 1 here,” Shively said of the four-time winner. 

“We’ve been trying to get grass fillies that really can run. We bought two today, and that’s the future for Dixiana. Brendan (Walsh, who also prepared Lush Lips) trains for us already, so we’ll be keeping her at Brendan’s.”

Other headline acts included Grade 1 winner Vahva, sold for US$3.1 million to Killora/Linton, agent for Boyd Racing. 

The five-year-old daughter of Gun Runner was runner-up in Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Fillies and Mares Sprint.

“She was everything we could have wanted in a broodmare prospect,” said Killora Stud’s Hannah Jennings, a name familiar in Australia having co-owned Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Away Game. 

“Jenny and Randy Boyd, they’re getting into the game and they want to have a broodmare band at the top level and she fit the bill for sure.”

Trainer Cherie DeVaux, who oversaw Vahva’s racing career, was among those watching her sell. 

“After she ran (in the Breeders’ Cup) and we got her on the plane to come here, it’s out of our control,” DeVaux said. “You get to just enjoy the moment without any expectation.”

Mares Buchu and Super Simple each fetched US$2.3 million, while a Gun Runner colt topped the weanling section at US$2.2 million, purchased by Donato Lanni as agent for Zedan Racing.

Yulong’s Raging Torrent Syndicate, which was also active at the previous day’s Fasig-Tipton November Sale in Lexington, bought three mares including US$2 million purchase Chatalas, a Grade 2 winner who was sold in foal to Curlin.

The same connections purchased Sputnik for US$800,000 and Rose Parade for US$500,000. Both mares are in foal to champion US sire Into Mischief.

“It was a really great day that felt strong from start to finish,” Keeneland president and chief executive Shannon Arvin said. 

“We had 17 horses that brought a million dollars or more. Eight of those brought $2 million or more. The weanling market was incredibly strong, with the selling a $2.2 million weanling the highest price since a decade ago.

“Today’s results showed an overall confidence and continuation of excitement about our sport and about our industry.”

Keeneland sold 122 horses for $72.74 million, up 16.6 per cent on last year’s opening session. The average rose 37 per cent to $596,205, with the median up 21 per cent to $422,500.

Dixiana led buyers with US$4.2 million in purchases, while Taylor Made was the top consignor with US$19.38 million in sales across 31 horses.