Mill Ridge to Offer Juddmonte, Augustin Racehorses

Projected has been a consistent stakes performing homebred for Juddmonte Farms who has been knocking on the door of a breakout win, with one grade 2 triumph to his credit and 13 stakes placings over a five-year career to date.

Winner of the 2017 edition of the Baltimore/Washington International Turf Cup Stakes (G2T), the 7-year-old gelded son of Showcasing has won or placed in 20 of 30 starts en route to earning $613,840. Despite that success, Projected (Hip 2724) does not fit the standard set by Juddmonte to continue in Prince Khalid Abdullah's stable and he is among racing prospects set to be sold Nov. 12 during the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale.

The Juddmonte horses, as well as a draft of racehorses from George Strawbridge's Augustin Stable, are consigned by Mill Ridge Sales.

Among the other racehorses scheduled to be offered by Juddmonte without reserve is Monarchs Glen, a 5-year-old gelding by super horse Frankel who won the 2017 Darley Club Stakes (G3) in England and is cataloged as Hip 2715.

Mill Ridge's Headley Bell said the Juddmonte horses provide an opportunity to move quality bloodstock with continued racing potential into other racing programs.

"We are fortunate to have Juddmonte horses that haven't met their standard, which is a very high standard," Bell said. "They have a great following of people that look for Juddmonte horses. People know Juddmonte and the richness of their program. They're in the best hands, and know if they need time, they get time. So often, people like to buy these horses from Juddmonte because they know they are well cared for and are sound. They go and provide a great experience for (the new owner). And they offer value because Juddmonte doesn't put reserves on them. It takes at least two bidders. 

"Projected is a well-bred, gelded son of Showcasing and has always been on the edge of being a special horse. He's got some age, so it's one of those opportunities," he added.

Among the racing or broodmare prospects Mill Ridge has consigned Tuesday on behalf of Augustin are the winning fillies River Light (Hip 2451) and City Fun (Hip 2606), both trained by Jonathan Thomas. 

A 4-year-old daughter of Union Rags , River Light was produced from the stakes-placed Wild Rush mare Dirty Rush. River Light is a half sister to Rush Now, a multiple stakes winner who finished second in the West Virginia Derby (G2) and earned $612,039.

By Temple City , the 3-year-old City Fun is out of Summer of Fun, a stakes-winning Include  mare who finished third in three graded stakes including the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T).

"A cull from George Strawbridge or Juddmonte is a jewel for most people, in my opinion," Bell said. "For the most part, it's time to find new homes for these horses."

Bell said scheduling the two sessions that include racehorses during the second week of Keeneland's November sale offers a niche within the market that attracts a different buying bench.

"WinStar Farm pioneered the racehorse segment of the November sale and others have built upon it," he said. "Credit Keeneland for providing this niche. It's great. It brings a whole new group of buyers in for the sale."