Bob and Jackie Tops Day 8 of Keeneland November Sale

Bob and Jackie, a multiple stakes-winning son of Twirling Candy , was purchased by Price/Recio Bloodstock, agents for Calvin Nguyen, for $190,000 to top the Nov. 16 session of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale that started the three-day Book 5.

Consigned by St George Sales, agent, as a racing or stallion prospect, Bob and Jackie (Hip 3017F) is a Zayat Stables homebred that was a late addition to the Keeneland catalog. Out of the Eskendereya mare Fateer, the 4-year-old won three turf stakes in Southern California for trainer Richard Baltas and was third in the Oct. 3 City of Hope Mile (G2T) in his most recent start. He is a winner of four of eight starts and has earned $209,551.

Grey Price said the buyers had been in contact with Baltas prior to the sale and he asked them to try to acquire the horse.

"This is a nice horse and he has a big future ahead of him," said Mike Recio. 

Price said they thought the colt would likely sell in the $200,000-$225,000 range so "this turned out pretty good for us."

Recio said that after a 72-hour van ride from California to Kentucky, the colt arrived in time to be shown Monday and will be flown back to Southern California on Tuesday.

"He's a globe-trotter," Recio said.

Through eight sessions, Keeneland has reported 1,840 horses sold for gross receipts of $150,440,500, an average price of $81,761, and a $32,000 median. At the same point in 2019, 1,899 horses had brought a total of $191,760,200, an average of $100,980, and a $45,000 median. The cumulative RNA rate this year is 17.7%.

During Monday's session, 256 horses grossed $3,797,300 for an average price of $14,833, and an $8,000 median. The RNA rate was 12.3%.

Internet bidding continues to bolster the market, with 42 horses sold online Monday for a total $524,200. To date, Keeneland has reported 217 internet sales for $15,595,800, with 2,658 online bids.

Also supplemented to the sale by St George Sales as part of a group of Zayat Stable horses was Alex Joon (Hip 3017E), a 3-year-old Flatter  colt sold to Donald K. Strickland for $120,000. Second in a Churchill Downs allowance race Oct. 29, Alex Joon scored his first win at Churchill in December 2019. He was produced from the unraced Include mare Sun Salutation, a full sister to multiple graded stakes winner and grade 1-placed Redeemed.

Bred in Virginia by Morgan's Ford Farm, the colt was purchased by Zayat Stables for $250,000 at the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. He has one win and a second in four starts and has earned $49,154.

Top-priced mare on the day was Convinced (Hip 2961), a 5-year-old daughter of Tiznow in foal to Maclean's Music  who was purchased by Four Star Sales for $85,000. Consigned by Vinery Sales, agent, Convinced is out of the Pulpit mare Tap of the Day, a full sister to three-time leading sire Tapit  and to the dam of multiple grade 2 winner Madefromlucky , and a half sister to the dam of stakes winner Noble and a Beauty. Bred in Kentucky by Town & Country Horse Farms, she had been purchased by Jerry Jamgotchian for $80,000 at last year's Keeneland November sale while in foal to Maclean's Music. 

Heading the weanlings group were foals from the first crops of their respective sires: a filly by Free Drop Billy  for $72,000 and a filly by City of Light  for $70,000.

Spendthrift Farm acquired the daughter of Free Drop Billy (Hip 2656) that was consigned by Vinery Sales, agent. Produced from the winning Stormy Atlantic  mare Help the Children, the filly is from the family of multiple grade 3 winner Humble Clerk.

VIP Farm purchased the City of Light filly (Hip 2877) out of winner Union Prayer, by Dixie Union. Consigned by Vinery Sales, agent for Spendthrift Farm, the filly is from the family of grade 1 winner Malibu Prayer and grade 2 winners Tap Dance, Valid, and Silverside.

The Keeneland sale continues through Nov. 18, with sessions beginning at 10 a.m. ET.