Elevage Mares in Demand at Keeneland November

The opening session of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale was elevated Nov. 6 by the presence of Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency, which consigned three seven-figure mares as agent for the Elevage Dispersal. 

Topping that list was champion Take Charge Brandi (Hip 111), who was purchased by Hill 'n' Dale's John Sikura for $3.2 million. Sikura moved his percentage of ownership in the mare from 50% to 100% when he bought out the partnership that owned the daughter of Giant's Causeway. 

Buying on behalf of his father Katsumi Yoshida's Northern Farm, Shusuke Yoshida stretched to $2 million for Callback (Hip 186), a daughter of Street Sense  sold in foal to Medaglia d'Oro . 

The purchase was a personal triumph for Yoshida, who missed out on buying the mare in 2015 when she was purchased by Elevage from Spendthrift Farm for $2.8 million at The November Sale, Fasig-Tipton's Kentucky fall mixed sale. 

"Last time she went through the ring four years ago, I didn't get her, but this time I did," Yoshida said. "I always remember the horses I like. I liked her. She is a graded stakes winner here and from a good family. That's why I liked her." 

Callback was campaigned by Spendthrift Farm and Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert. Her best score came at 3 when she took the Las Virgenes Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Park. She was bred in Kentucky by Vincent Colbert out of the Forest Wildcat mare Quickest, a half sister to Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) winner Super Saver . The bay mare's second dam, Supercharger, by A.P. Indy, is a full sister to grade 1 winner and sire Girolamo. 

Yoshida said no decision has been made about whether Callback will ship directly to Japan or remain in the United States until her foal is born. 

"I think Medaglia d'Oro is more popular here, so we need to think about what we will do and if she will stay here one more year before we take her back," Yoshida said. "I'll have to talk to my father and decide." 

The Yoshidas do not keep any broodmares in North America, but the family is building a contingent in Europe in order to have access to a larger selection of stallions and diversity of pedigrees. 

"After the sales, we will decide who goes where," Yoshida said. "There are many good sires in Europe as well, so we need pedigree options." 

Bernie Sams of Claiborne Farm also found plenty to like in the Elevage consignment Wednesday, signing the ticket on the $1.5 million Empire Maker  mare Mei Ling (Hip 22), who was believed to be in foal to Medaglia d'Oro. 

Bred in Kentucky by Mr. and Mrs. Larry Williams, Mei Ling is a stakes winner and the first foal out of the Seeking the Gold mare Lochinvar's Gold. Sams signed the ticket in the name of Claiborne Farm, agent. 

Thirteen broodmares sold Monday on behalf of Elevage for total receipts of $11.7 million. 

"The best way to determine real market value is to bring them in the market, where no one is advantaged or disadvantaged by the other, and we've bid often in front of the world," Sikura said. "We've done it. They've been well received. These are mares I've handpicked, and I really think that one or more of these mares is going to really be an important mare. I don't know if it's going to be Take Charge Brandi or Mei Ling or Callback, or one of the others. I just really try to value and approach the mare like I just saw her in the ring.

"I think there's a great opportunity in these Elevage mares. They have foals and have been bred back, and some have now coming 2-year-olds by leading sires. The company's done the work for prospective buyers. You have three foals on the ground, nearly a million dollars in stud fees that are paid, and if one of them runs, these mares are pretty remarkable and unique. It's a good process. There isn't any discord amongst the partners, and I think they were right to take this approach. We're bringing them to market the best way we can."