Keeneland September Continues to Roll; Yaupon Colt Heads Book 4 Finale

[Wandering Eyes]

Trade remained buoyant at the Keeneland September Sale in Lexington, with statistics continuing to increase over one year ago. With this year's gross having already exceeded figures for the entire sale in 2024, the sale generated $472,224,000 for 1,771 yearlings (through the ring) sold, which is 23.47% higher than the corresponding period last year when 1,740 horses brought $382,469,500.

Average price of $266,643 is 21.31% above $219,810 from 2024, and the median of $180,000 is 20% over $150,000 last year.

During Tuesday's session, Keeneland sold 276 yearlings (through the ring) for $24,495,000, for an average of $88,750 and a median of $70,000. The gross was 17.61% higher than the eighth session in 2024, when 286 horses sold for $20,827,500. The average was 21.87% above $72,823 in 2024, while the median rose 27.27% from $55,000 last year.

With four sessions still to go, a colt by Yaupon realized a $560,000 final bid from Mike McCarty Tuesday. Offered as Hip 2469 by Hinkle Farms, the Jan. 22 foal is out of Media Circus (Mineshaft), who hails from the family of GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner and sire Tapizar. Hinkle Farms secured the colt's unraced dam for $70,000 at the Keeneland November sale in 2021.

Leading the fairer set, a Girvin filly brought $535,000 from Winter Creek Stables. Consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, Hip 2597 is out of Stormandaprayer (Songandaprayer), herself a daughter of GISW Stormy Pick (Storm Creek). The filly is a half-sister to stakes winner Classicstateofmind.

Taylor Made Sales Agency was Tuesday's leading consignor, selling 32 horses for $3,241,000. The session's leading buyer was JAS/Costa, who acquired four yearlings for $710,000.

The September Sale continues Wednesday at 10 a.m. ET and runs each day through Saturday.

 

Life after Lukas: BC Stables Forges on

Few would argue that BC Stables was an important player in the late D. Wayne Lukas's operation in the final years of the Hall of Famer's illustrious career. Over the past several years, a significant portion of the horses purchased by Lukas at public auction was on behalf of John Bellinger and Brian Coelho, the principals of BC Stables.

At this year's renewal of the Keeneland September sale, however, Bellinger and Coelho saw one chapter of the BC Stables story end, while ushering in a new one. Over the course of the past week, the sales recruitment team was led by longtime Lukas associate and friend, Bryan Rice and Steve Asmussen, who received the bulk of the BC Stables horses following Lukas's passing in June.

The transition to the next chapter wasn't without its challenges, according to Bellinger.

“It was different this week. At times during the bidding, I actually wanted to sit some place different than we used to sit with Wayne,” Bellinger said.” I definitely missed working with Wayne. There is no doubt about it.”

Bellinger admitted that, while the process has proceeded well overall, there were moments when he struggled with the legendary horseman's absence.

“It's still hard to imagine and it doesn't seem real that he's gone. It just happened so fast, with no warning,” he admitted. “Usually, someone you are working with, they retire and they give you some time to adjust. Even though he was 89, we did not expect it.”

He continued, “I even caught myself at least once saying to Bryan Rice 'we'll have to get with Wayne to see what he wants.' Instead of saying 'Steve' I said 'Wayne.' It was quite different.”

However, despite the stark absence of Lukas, the operation proved active over the course of the initial week of the September Sale, resulting in a total of nine purchases through Tuesday's session for gross expenditures of $3,010,000, averaging $334,444.

“We had a productive week,” Bellinger said. “It was really tough last week unless you have a pocketful of money and we don't. So, we had to really look for deals and bargains. We got conformation in all our horses and we may have had to sacrifice pedigree that we wanted. Time will tell.”

Heading the team's purchases was Hip 855, a colt by first season sire Corniche, consigned by Taylor Made Sales. The Apr. 11 foal is out of Peaceful Feeling (War Front). With a European flavor to the bottom side of the page, the 9-year-old mare is out of French listed winner Doo Lang (Pulpit), from the family of Group 1 winner War Command.

“Steve and Brian were pretty high on that colt,” said Bellinger. “They both had him top of their list. He scored pretty high using their scoring system.”

Also from the Taylor Made consignment, BC Stables secured a colt by Uncle Mo (Hip 21) for $500,000 and a colt by Jackie's Warrior (Hip 1480) for $400,000.

The former is out of SW and GISP Livemybestlife (The Big Beast), while the latter is out of Crystal Grit (Tapit), a sister to MGSW Blofeld (Quality Road). The May 12 foal has a pair of SP half-siblings in Quality G (Quality Road) and Souper Highvoltage (Brilliant Speed).

Additionally, BC Stables haltered a filly by City of Light (Hip 994), a colt by Jackie's Warrior (Hip 1555), a colt and filly by Yaupon (Hip 327 & 352), a filly by Golden Pal (Hip 557) and a colt by Liam's Map (Hip 2245).

“We had to go a little bit with [young] unproven sires, so that's where we you get a bit of the discount. The guys with the big pockets want Into Mischief, Flightline etc.,” he said.

Of the nine purchases at Keeneland through Book 4, the team secured six colts and a trio of fillies. While there appeared to be a greater emphasis on speed-oriented sires as well as young stallions, Bellinger said the overall strength of the market also dictated the BC Stables' purchases.

“The market was insane. More times or not, we were outbid,” he said. “But the top three horses we bought we went to the top of where we were going to go and we got all three of them. After that, it was very difficult. But we believe we bought a good set of horses for a reasonable price.”

And while the trainer may have changed, Bellinger explained that the operation's mission remains the same as when Lukas was guiding the ship. BC Stables was represented by Just Steel (Justify) (17th) in the 2024 Kentucky Derby and American Promise (Justify) (16th) in the latest renewal of the Classic.

“We want to get back to the Derby and win some Grade Is,” he said. “We didn't buy a horse that we didn't think we could win a Grade I with. Steve wouldn't have put them on his list if he didn't think they could win at the Grade I level.”

According to Bellinger, BC Stables also has individual horses with John Ennis, Dallas Stewart, Phil D'Amato and Brian Lynch.

“The bulk of the horses went to Steve,” confirmed Bellinger. “Steve just idolized Wayne. I honestly didn't know how the transition would go at first, but it's gone extremely well. Steve has such great respect for Wayne. I think that has helped.”

Asked what he would miss most about having Lukas at his side at the sales, Bellinger said, “Wayne had a real knack for looking at a horse, giving it a thumbs up or thumbs down. Last year, I thought we did a really good job of [recruiting horses]. Brian would scout the horses and we had Wayne in a captain's chair out in the last ring and he would give a thumbs up or thumbs down. Forgetting the horse part of it, he was so positive and so inspirational that you can't help miss being around somebody like that.”

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