Share sale values top US sire Not This Time at US$150 million

Not This Time, the rising star of North America’s stallion ranks, has been valued at US$150 million (A$227.586 million) as the sire continues his ascension on the US sires’ table.

A 2 per cent share in the Taylor Made Stallions-based Not This Time – the sire of 59 stakes winners in six crops of racing age – sold for US$3 million at the Keeneland Championship Sale on Wednesday (US time).

Equity in the remarkable Not This TIme, who will stand for a fee of US$250,000 in 2026, was traded at the second edition of the Championship Sale which is run in conjunction with the Breeders’ Cup meeting.

The two-day Breeders’ Cup card will be staged on Friday and Saturday at Del Mar in California.

The 1/50th share was purchased by Hill ‘n’ Dale’s John Sikura who also paid US$1 million for a 20 per cent share in the recently retired US Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna, a winner of 10 Graded races for trainer Kenny McPeek.

Not This Time’s Grade 1-winning son Cogburn shuttled to Widden Stud in the Hunter Valley this year, but it was revealed last week that the record-breaking sprinter would make an early return to Kentucky.

Cogburn’s maiden southern hemisphere season was hampered by unexpected fertility issues.

Not This Time is second on the sires’ table behind Into Mischief, whose seasonal star Sovereignty was a shock withdrawal from Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Classic due to illness, while Gun Runner is third.

Sikura, who along with son Jes has been active in the Australian bloodstock market in recent years, said: “We own interests in most of the significant Kentucky sires where ownership opportunities are available. 

“This is a horse whose record speaks for itself. He’s a prolific young sire who gets dirt and turf and looks like he’s here to stay. (Hill ‘n’ Dale stallion) Curlin is 21 years old, and we’re diversifying our interests a little bit. We’re involved in Gun Runner, Nyquist and Flightline.” 

Sikura already owned 50 per cent of Thorpedo Anna, having acquired Brookdale Racing’s share of the mare in August.

A 2.5 per cent share in Life Is Good, a four-time Grade 1 winner who stands at WinStar Farm in Kentucky at a fee of US$60,000, sold to Emerald Edge as agent for US$1 million as Lot 1 in the select nine-lot Championship Sale.

A 25 per cent interest in Bentornato, the pre-post favourite for Saturday’s US$2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint also changed hands for US$1 million at the evening sale. 

“We are so pleased to return to the Del Mar Paddock for the second annual Keeneland Championship Sale, and we couldn’t have asked for a more memorable evening,” Keeneland president and chief executive Shannon Arvin said. 

“The atmosphere was exceptional, the buyers turned out in full force and the results truly speak for themselves.

“It’s incredibly exciting for Keeneland to help build momentum for the World Championships (by) bringing people together at the highest level of our sport and carrying that energy and enthusiasm into the remarkable weekend ahead.”