Brookdale Book 5 Draft Strides Into the Picture

Brookdale's Joe Seitz strides into Book 5 of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale with a draft of 12 yearlings who bring a lot to the page. The sweet spot offers buyers a chance to get in on a horse that possibly could be the next champion sold by the Versailles operation.

The first offering, by Kitten's Joy, was bred in Kentucky by Don Alberto out of their 2017 Chilean 3-year-old grass champion Marie Madelaine . The colt, consigned as Hip 3448, exudes turf appeal on the page and in his physical. 

"This colt is a typical Kitten's Joy, good moving, athletic horse that looks like he would appreciate grass," Joe Seitz of Brookdale Sales said. "With the way Kentucky is going and all the purse money flowing into the state, he's the perfect type of horse for someone who wants to bargain shop. He's in a great spot (Book 5) and should be well received at that point."

His dam, Marie Madelaine, by Ivan Denisovich , captured the Las Oaks (G1) and Paddock Stakes (G3) at 3, coming back the following year to add the Longines Cup (G3) and Francisco Baeza Stakes (G2) to her tally. The five-time winner transferred to the U.S. in 2017 to become a member of the broodmare band for the Solari family.

The second Brookdale offering, a Bernardini colt, Hip 3479, comes from another grade 1 family, out of the Alcibiades Stakes (G1) winner Negligee . The mare was the 2009 champion 2-year-old filly in Canada. Owner/breeder Al Shaqb purchased Negligee for $1.25 million during the 2012 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. The colt is a sibling to the son of Distorted Humor, Al Debel , who was second in the listed Prix Lyphard in France.

"This colt is an excellent representative of Bernardini. Most people are looking for Berni fillies, but he is a lovely horse," Seitz commented. "Back in the springtime, he was a bit weedy and narrow, but the summer has done wonders for him, and he has blossomed. We are excited for him, and where he is in the sale, I think people will be all over him. He will probably be a lot of fun for us."

He added: "This colt is a nice representative of the champion mare."

Having a grade 1 winning full sibling on the page is always a plus, and the Blame   colt, Hip 3521 out of Relaxing Green , is no exception. His sister Marley's Freedom  has earned over $1 million with victories in the Ballerina Stakes (G1), Great Lady M (G2) twice, Santa Monica (G2), Go for Wand Handicap (G3), and Desert Stormer Stakes (G3). 

The colt bred in Kentucky by Jack Swain is also half sibling to the stakes winner Noble Charlotte  and stakes placed Airship .

"He is a full brother to the electric Marley's Freedom. This whole family has been wonderful to us and Jack Swain," Seitz said. "It's exciting to have a full brother, and he looks a lot like Marley did when she was a yearling. He's a nice type, and I think he will blossom into a nice racehorse; we are excited to offer him."

While the sale is drawing towards a close, the market has stayed buoyant, and Seitz believes Book 5 is an excellent spot to find a bargain runner.

"The sale has been great for us so far; we have only had one RNA, which we sold shortly after. It has been non-stop showing for us, which is great. The vetting is picking up, so all indications are there for a good day. Book 5 is a great place for all of us. I'll Have Another came from Book 5, and he went on to win two classic races and be champion 3-year-old colt in 2012. We invite everyone to come by and find another one."