Champion Midnight Bisou Joins Keeneland November Sale
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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Midnight Bisou at Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa
Champion Midnight Bisou , in foal to Tapit , has been supplemented to Book 1 of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale, Keeneland announced Oct. 20.
The 7-year-old daughter of Midnight Lute will be consigned by Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa to the opening session of the sale, which begins Nov. 7 at 1 p.m. ET.
Midnight Bisou won the 2018 Cotillion Stakes (G1) and Santa Anita Oaks (G1) in addition to three other graded stakes at 3. She was named the champion older dirt female of 2019 at 4 following a dominating campaign that produced seven wins in eight races. Among her seven graded stakes wins that year were victories in the Personal Ensign Stakes Presented by Lia Infinity (G1) at Saratoga Race Course, the Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park, and the Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) at Oaklawn Park.
Midnight Bisou with her first foal, a Curlin colt, at Hill ’n’ Dale at Xalapa
Midnight Bisou returned in early 2020 to finish second in the $20 million Saudi Cup against males and win the Fleur de Lis Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs. Winner of 13 races—all stakes—in 22 starts over four seasons, she earned $7,451,520 during her illustrious racing career for trainer William Spawr for her first six starts, then for Steve Asmussen.
"It's impossible to describe what she's meant to me, my family, and my partners," said Jeff Bloom, whose Bloom Racing Stable campaigned the mare in partnership with Allen Racing and Madaket Stables. "She took us on an incredible journey and created so many amazing experiences for us across the globe. All those memories I will treasure the rest of my life.
"She effortlessly transitioned to life as a broodmare with the same elegance, class, and intelligence that she displayed as a racehorse."
Midnight Bisou sold for $5 million to Chuck Allen of Allen Racing in 2020 at The November Sale, Fasig-Tipton's marquee breeding stock sale, where she was consigned by ELiTE. She produced her foal, a colt by Curlin , Feb. 12.
Bloom sourced Midnight Bisou as a juvenile from the Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training in April of 2017, where she was an $80,000 steal from Woodford Thoroughbreds' consignment. As a yearling, she failed to meet her reserve when consigned by Woodford to the 2016 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, where the hammer fell at $19,000.
Bred by Woodford out of grade 3 winner Diva Delite , by Repent, Midnight Bisou is a half sister to recent Champagne Stakes (G1) runner-up and TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G1) candidate Verifying (by Justify ).
"Midnight Bisou represents the very best of Thoroughbred racing," said Tony Lacy, Keeneland's vice president of sales. "She is a world-class racehorse from an active, talented family who is in foal to one of the industry's premier stallions. Keeneland is delighted to offer her during Book 1 of our November Breeding Stock Sale."
Diva Delite, who is in foal to Gun Runner , also is cataloged to Book 1. Out of the winning Tour d'Or mare Tour Hostess, she is consigned by Hunter Valley Farm, agent.
Keeneland will accept supplements to Book 1 until the auction begins.
American Apple, Princess Julia, Wakanaka Join Catalog
Three additional Book 1 supplements were also announced Thursday. They are:
* American Apple , a 2-year-old filly by American Pharoah who won the Oct. 8 Matron (G3T) at Belmont at the Big A and is a contender for the Nov. 4 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1T) at Keeneland. A half sister to multiple grade 3 winner Lady Apple and stakes winner Dr. Diamonds Prize, she is out of grade 2-placed winner Miss Mary Apples, by Clever Trick . KatieRich Farms consigns American Apple, who is cataloged as a racing or broodmare prospect.
American Apple wins the Matron Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack
* Princess Julia , a daughter of Distorted Humor and champion Folklore, by Tiznow , who is in foal to Medaglia d'Oro . From the family of North American champion Essential Quality and Japanese champion and Triple Crown winner Contrail, Princess Julia is consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent for STH.
* Wakanaka , a 4-year-old filly who won this year's Dance Smartly (G2T), was second in the Longines Just a Game Stakes (G1T) and made her most recent start against males in the Ricoh Woodbine Mile (G1T). A group 3 winner in Italy, she is a daughter of Power out of the Kodiac mare Storyline. Cataloged as a racing or broodmare prospect, Wakanaka is consigned by Bluewater Sales, agent.
Wakanaka wins the Dance Smartly Stakes at Woodbine
The November Breeding Stock Sale covers a total of 10 sessions through Nov. 16. The Keeneland November Horses of Racing Age Sale will be held Nov. 17.