Classic Empire's Half Sister Goes for $1.075M

Uptown Twirl, a stakes-winning half sister to multiple grade I winner Classic Empire, was purchased by Three Chimneys Farm for $1,075,000 to become the session topper through the early afternoon of the Nov. 14 session of the Keeneland November breeding stock sale.

The daughter of Twirling Candy   was offered by Lane’s End, agent, as a racing or broodmare prospect.

Bred in Kentucky by Steven and Brandi Nicholson, Uptown Twirl has won the Surfside Stakes and Pleasanton Oaks and earned more than $170,000.

A son of Pioneerof the Nile  , Classic Empire won the grade I Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland before going on to win the Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (gr. I).

Jacob West, director of bloodstock services for Three Chimneys, said the filly’s appeal was obvious, considering that she is a half sister to a colt that is expected to be named champion 2-year-old male.

“She was a great physical herself and won two stakes this year so she showed she had ability,” he said. “She is going to be a half to a champion 2-year-old so we’re pretty excited to own her.”

West said Uptown Twirl probably will remain in training the rest of the year, with the long-term plan to add her to Three Chimneys’ broodmare band.

With seven-figure transactions unusual in the seventh session of the marathon auction, West said “we kind of had an idea she would be in that ballpark. We’re happy to own her at any price. Quality is bringing quality … she was a quality mare with that pedigree update and she stood on her own physically.”

Produced from the Cat Thief mare Sambuca Classica, Uptown Twirl is also a half sister to stakes winner Anytime Magic.

Consigned to the 2014 Keeneland September yearling sale, Uptown Twirl was bought by H. H. for $110,000 from Warrendale Sales. Pinhooked by Halcyon Hammock Farm into the 2015 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s March sale of 2-year-olds in training, the filly went to L. E. B. for $630,000.