Bought by Boardshorts Stables during second session of Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale on Tuesday
The Sam-Son Farm-bred three-year-old filly Ancient Peace (War Front), who broke her maiden last month on the turf at Santa Anita by four and a quarter lengths, was purchased by Boardshorts Stables for $650,000 to top the second session of the Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale on Tuesday.
"We are happy that she was supplemented to the sale," Hunter Rankin, who signed the ticket, said. "We are building a stable and think she is a really good foundation horse. Even if she never wins another race, she has a great catalog page."
The filly's first dam, Deceptive Vision (A P Indy) was a Grade 2 winner and is a sister to the stakes winners Eye Of The Leopard and Hotep and a half-sister to the stakes placed Desert Isle (Bernardini) being out of Canadian Grade 2 winner Eye Of The Sphynx (Smart Strike).
"The timing worked out with her win," Indian Creek's Sarah Sutherland said. "She came in looking fantastic, and the pedigree speaks for itself. She showed great and was well received."
Boardshorts was the session's leading buyer, spending $1.1 million on two horses, going to $450,000 for Empire Hope (Empire Maker). The four-year-old is a winner and a half-sister to dual Grade 1 winner Sassy Image (Broken Vow). She was also consigned by Indian Creek, agent.
Figures show increases
For the day, Keeneland sold 251 horses for $19,865,000, up 5.33 percent from last year's gross of $18,859,500 for 263 horses. The average of $79,143 rose 10.37 percent from $71,709 in 2022, while the median of $40,000 remained unchanged.
Through two sessions this year, Keeneland has sold 475 horses for $36,126,900, just off the $36,848,700 reported for 511 horses sold in 2022. The average of $76,057 increased 5.47 percent from last year's $72,111, while the median of $40,000 remained unchanged.
"The session started strong and held pace," Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. "We've got to be very encouraged with the consistency within the market. Quality was selling well. There was hunger for the good stock and it was very competitive on the buying front – with frustrated buyers in certain cases – but people were happy with what they were getting for most of the stock. There was good energy around the place, and I think it bodes well as we power into 2023 and the breeding season ahead.
"There is great diversity in the domestic buying pool," Lacy added. "The top 15 horses were bought by 14 different entities. The short yearlings were very strong, and there was strong demand for them. Young mares off the track and proven mares were extremely appealing, and people were paying a premium for them. Quality is in strong demand. People aren't willing to spend a lot of money on something they don't feel has strong marketable value. I think it is going to be healthy all the way through the sale. If you have a nice individual, it will be found."
England's Rose sells for $600,000
England's Rose, a seven-year-old stakes-winning daughter of English Channel (Smart Strike) who was second in the Grade 1 Matriarch at Del Mar in December, sold to James Schenck, agent, for $600,000.
Consigned by Lane's End, agent, she is out of stakes-placed Gingham and Lace (Kris S), and from the family of Grade 2 winner Leggs Galore (Bayern) and Grade 3 winner and sire Conveyance (Indian Charlie).
"My brother (the late) David Banks was a trainer here in town and I have an oil company in Eastern Kentucky," new owner Gigi Lazenby said.
"For the last couple of years, I've decided to step it up a little bit with help from Walker Hancock (of Claiborne Farm) and James Schenck, who has been a friend and a friend of my brother for years. This is all sort of for him (David Banks). We'd like to have four or five mares. We're really interested in selling (the offspring). I'm happy with this mare, and we've got a lot of stallions to talk about. I'm just glad I'm in a position at this time to invest back into this community. I love it."
