Chad Schumer Active During Book 4 of Keeneland November

Bloodstock agent Chad Schumer has been active since day 1 of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale, but he led the buyers in gross totals Nov. 10 during the sixth session, Day 1 of Book 4, purchasing nine head for a total of $390,000. Schumer bought eight head under the Schumer/KGS banner and one solo.

Buying for a multitude of different clients in several countries, he secured mares in foal to a variety of stallions including reigning Horse of the Year Cody's Wish  . Among his top purchases was Hip 1992, Puzzling , a winning daughter of Ghostzapper   who is a half sister to grade 1 winner Dancing Forever .

"We bought an absolutely exceptional mare in foal to Cody's Wish," said Schumer of Puzzling. "She's an absolute beauty. She's for a domestic breeding partnership, we've been after mares all week. We actually did buy a mare in foal to him earlier in the sale, which I was very surprised to get her (Cryptobullet, Hip 948).

"I actually thought I might get her for a little less (than $72,000), just because of her age (16)," Schumer added. "But, she's such quality, and comes from one of the best breeders ever (Phipps Stable), and the farm (Claiborne), they're just so wonderful to work with. They gave me great information. There's a lot of potential updates, and we were just so excited to get her."

Puzzling is out of the multiple graded stakes-producing mare Dancinginmydreams, who is full sister to champion Heavenly Prize. 

"I think Cody's Wish will be one of the, if not the, most sought after freshman sires for weanlings," Schumer said. "And, God willing, we have a nice healthy foal." 

Schumer purchased seven other broodmares in foal to the likes of Charlatan  , Complexity  , Cyberknife  , Early Voting  , Enticed  , Maclean's Music  , and Yaupon  . 

"Commercially speaking, we're just after the best coverage we can get," said Schumer. "I'm buying for more than one person in more than one country, so it really depends on the order."

Schumer has purchased a total of 21 horses consisting of mainly broodmares (19) thus far for $1,216,000. 

"The market has been strong, especially at this stage of the sale" he continued. "We've bought at least one, I think every day. I've kind of been in from the beginning, with different clients, different price ranges, but right now, I think it is as strong as could be expected. It's selective every year, the market is the market. I think if you have a young, really good physical mare with a nice pedigree you're going to get paid." 

Day Six Stats

The sixth session of the sale produced strong results, that were once again up from last year's statistics on the first day of Book 4. A total of 279 horses sold for a total of $9,807,400, including private sales. The average was $35,152, with a median of $25,000. An RNA rate of 17.7% represented the 60 horses who failed to meet their reserve.

The highest-priced broodmare was Hip 2077— Thrill, in foal to Up to the Mark  , who sold to John Gunther for $200,000 from the Lane's End consignment. The Candy Ride   mare is out of the graded stakes-producing Running Wild. 

The highest-priced weanling was Hip 2050, a colt by Gainesway's McKinzie  , who sold for $200,000 to Cherry Knoll Farm from Nardelli Sales, agent. McKinzie led the sire standings Sunday with three sold for a total of $545,000.

Lane's End Farm was the leading consignor with 26 horses sold for $1,329,000. 

Last year's sixth session saw 294 horses change hands for a total of $9,211,100, an average of $31,330, and a median of $22,000. A total of 51 horses failed to meet their reserve, resulting in an RNA rate of $14.8%.