Lady Eli, Stellar Wind Out of November Sale

After the barn areas at Fasig-Tipton and Keeneland were abuzz over the excitement on display at Santa Anita Park during the Breeders’ Cup, the effects of the 13 races on the upcoming November sales unfolded Nov. 6.

Among the most prominent Breeders’ Cup participants withdrawn from the Keeneland sale were two-time grade I winner Lady Eli, who finished second in the Filly & Mare Turf (gr. IT), and champion Stellar Wind, fourth in the Longines Distaff (gr. I).

Following her sixth-place effort in the 14 Hands Winery Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I), grade I winner Union Strike was scratched from the Fasig-Tipton sale, as was Noholdingback Bear, the seventh-place finisher in the Twinspires Sprint (gr. I).

Overall, the 13 championship races left sales company officials and consignors feeling optimistic about Fasig-Tipton sale that will be conducted Nov. 7 and the Nov. 8-20 auction at Keeneland.

“We saw two remarkable days of racing that certainly gives inspiration to all participants in the industry,” said Fasig-Tipton president and chief executive officer Boyd Browning Jr. “It was marvelous to see the types of athletic performances across the board. It creates passion and enthusiasm for those involved in the game. The people who participated in those races have to be inspired. Those who weren’t involved, we think we have the types of horses capable of putting them in that environment.”

“It definitely was a world championship weekend,” said Geoffrey Russell, director of sales operations at Keeneland, which was represented by eight Breeders’ Cup winners, some of which also went through the ring at other sales companies. “The Distaff and Classic were spectacular races and the Juvenile was a great race. People come here to buy stock to perform on the big stage, and we are already seeing some of them here who were participating there.”

Andrew Cary, partner and general manager of consignor Select Sales, said the weekend showcased horse racing at its best.

“I think it just gives people that little extra boost that this is something they want to be in over the long run, and inspires them to want to produce horses and to own horses that run like that,” Cary said. “That’s racing at the highest stage and it gives people the motivation to either stay there if they’re at that level, or to get there if they’ve never been there. It’s just amazing the quality of the racing and we’re talking about the horses, which is the way it should be.”

Kerry Cauthen of Four Star Sales agreed.

“There are a lot of things going right in our business and when you have a Breeders’ Cup like that, it makes our sport look like what it is—a lot of fun,” Cauthen said.