Confidence in the market was borne out when gross receipts of $30,115,300 for the opening two days of Keeneland's January Horses of All Ages Sale exceeded total sales of $25,250,350 for last year's five-day auction.
Cumulatively, Keeneland has sold 487 horses for $30,115,300, up 53.6 percent over the comparable two sessions in 2011 when 392 horses brought $19,600,200.
The average of $61,838 increased 23.6 percent from $50,001 recorded last year. The median rose 50 percent from $20,000 to $30,000.
On Tuesday, Keeneland sold 278 horses for $16,183,100, an increase of 81.5 percent over 2011 when 205 horses brought $8,912,600.
Average price was up 33.9 percent from $43,476 to $58,213. The median of $27,000 rose 35 percent from last year's $20,000.
Nineteen horses sold for $200,000 or more compared to six on this day last year.
Brisk trade from an active mix of domestic and foreign buyers seeking top-quality broodmares and yearlings fueled the double-digit growth.
Topping the Tuesday session was the $600,000 paid by Blandford Bloodstock's Tom Goff for the regally bred Magnificent Honour, a full sister to 2007 Belmont Stakes winner and champion Rags To Riches and a half-sister to 2006 Belmont winner Jazil.
The 10-year-old daughter of A. P. Indy was sold in foal to leading sire Giant's Causeway.
“She's a standout on pedigree,” said Goff, who signed the ticket on behalf of an undisclosed European-based client. “It's probably one of the best families in the American Stud Book, in my opinion.”
Consigned by Paramount Sales, agent, Magnificent Honour is out of graded stakes winner and 2007 Broodmare of the Year Better Than Honour.
In addition to Rags To Riches and Jazil, the mare is a half-sister to Irish high weight Man Of Iron and Grade 2 stakes winner Casino Drive.
Goff reported that the mare will remain in Kentucky and likely be bred back to Giant's Causeway.
Teruya Yoshida's Shadai Farm went to $525,000 to acquire Cozi Rosie, winner of the G2 John C. Mabee Stakes and G2 Buena Vista Handicap. She was consigned as a broodmare prospect by Lane's End, agent.
A five-year-old mare by Pleasantly Perfect out of Felidia by Golden Fleece, Cozi Rosie is a half-sister to multiple graded stakes winner and sire Lexicon and stakes winner My Captain.
A half-brother by Unbridled's Song to G1 Humana Distaff and G1 Princess Rooney Handicap winner Sassy Image commanded the day's top price for a yearling, selling to Rick Porter's Fox Hill Farm for $490,000. He was consigned by Havens Bloodstock Agency, agent.
Touching Beauty, winner of the G3 Comely Stakes and sold in foal to Unbridled's Song, was purchased for $450,000 by Reiley McDonald's Eaton Sales, as agent for an undisclosed client.
Consigned by Gainesway, agent, Touching Beauty is a five-year-old daughter of Tapit and a full sister to stakes winner Noisy Feet.
Two horses – a yearling filly by Empire Maker and the stakes-placed mare Art Princess, sold in foal to Tapit – brought $400,000 each.
Katsumi Yoshida, owner of Japan's Northern Farm, bought Art Princess, a six-year-old mare by Officer who is a half-sister to multiple Grade 1 stakes winner Zazu. She was consigned by Gainesway, agent.
