Share in Upstart Cataloged to Keeneland April HORA Sale

Keeneland announced April 25 it will offer a share in Upstart   at its April Horses of Racing Age Sale Friday, April 29, following the races on closing day of the spring meet.

The share will be the final offering of the sale. Shareholder involvement will begin with the 2023 breeding season.  

Upstart, who stands at Airdrie Stud in Midway, Ky., is a 10-year-old, graded stakes-winning son of Flatter  . Upstart earned more than $1.7 million during his racing career and this year boasts leading classic prospect Zandon  as well as a top Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) contender in Kathleen O.  Those two runners have helped him rank third on the third-crop sires list through April 24.

Zandon won the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland April 9 to ascend to second in points on the leaderboard for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) May 7 at Churchill Downs.

Undefeated Kathleen O., winner of the April 2 Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) and March 5 Davona Dale presented by FanDuel (G2), is atop the leaderboard for the Kentucky Oaks May 6 at Churchill Downs.

Among Upstart's other notable progeny are Green Up , a 3-year-old filly with two wins and a second in three career starts, including a four-length allowance victory at Gulfstream Park April 21; Reinvestment Risk , a multiple grade 1-placed 4-year-old colt who was second in the recent Carter Handicap (G1) at Aqueduct; and Masqueparade , winner of the 2021 Ohio Derby (G3) at Thistledown. 

"Keeneland is pleased to feature this unique offering in the April Sale," said Keeneland vice president of sales Tony Lacy. "A share in Upstart is sure to generate tremendous interest given the excitement surrounding Zandon and Kathleen O. as we look toward the Derby and Oaks." 

"What Upstart is doing right now is really pretty incredible," said Airdrie Stud vice president Bret Jones. "Zandon and Kathleen O. are the headliners, but there's so much depth in each of those first two crops. Reinvestment Risk, Green Up, and Masqueparade all look poised for breakout seasons, and Upstart's 2-year-olds have averaged over $300,000 at the juvenile sales this year. He throws beautiful sales horses that can handle their early training and get better with racing. And he's shown the ability to sire not only quality horses, but elite horses. He's on that climb right now that the really top sires all make."

The winning bidder will have the right to offer to purchase the share for the hammer price subject to a 24-hour post-auction inspection period during which the winning bidder may review all applicable documentation. The winning bidder may only purchase the share upon satisfactory review by the parties and the satisfaction or waiver of any applicable rights of first refusal or other restrictions under the syndicate agreement.

Interested parties should contact Bret Jones or Ben Henley at Airdrie Stud at (859) 873-7270 for additional information regarding the share, or to inspect the stallion.

April Sale  

The April Sale, which will begin at approximately 6:30 p.m. ET Friday and be live-streamed on Keeneland.com, will be conducted as an integrated event, with live auctioneers at Keeneland and with horses presented for sale both physically at Keeneland and at off-site locations. Keeneland also will provide online and phone bidding for buyers who wish to participate remotely.

Keeneland will continue to accept approved supplemental entries to the April Sale until the sale date.

Click here for the enhanced digital catalog on Keeneland.com. The catalog, also available through the Equineline iPad app, includes pedigrees, Equibase past performances and race videos, Daily Racing Form past performances, and Ragozin and Thoro-Graph figures. Consignors may upload photographs and walking videos. Print copies of the catalog are available at Keeneland.