Yearling fillies were in high demand Jan. 14 during the second session of Keeneland's January Horses of All Ages Sale. Two of them fetched the top price for a short yearling at $300,000.
Hip 578, a filly by Triple Crown winner and leading third-crop sire Justify , sold to D.J. Stables/VBS, agent. Hip 641, a filly by first-crop yearling sire Golden Pal , sold to Rock Bloodstock.
The Golden Pal filly, bred and consigned by Clarkland Farm, is out of the stakes-placed Scat Daddy mare Fairyland. Golden Pal stands at Coolmore's Ashford Stud near Versailles, Ky., for an advertised fee of $25,000. The son of the late Uncle Mo won grade 1 Breeders' Cup turf sprints at 2 and 3 under Wesley Ward and retired with earnings of $1,825,131.
Golden Pal's first crop has been very well received at the sale, with eight yearlings grossing $715,000, with an average of $89,375.
"The quality stock sold extremely well, especially short yearlings and fillies with promise," said Tony Lacy, vice president of sales at Keeneland. "People are willing to pay a premium for quality."
The March-born Justify filly was bred and consigned by Stoneriggs Farm. She is the second foal out of the Lea mare Chart and hails from the immediate family of multiple group-placed Spirit of Valor.
"She is very athletic, a great mover with a great attitude," said Kim Valerio, who signed the ticket on behalf of D.J. Stables/VBS. "From the first day I saw her, to this morning, she was still walking like a champ, so I liked that, it's important."
Valerio said the plan is to run the filly, as her clients raced her dam.
"Len Green and his son Jon (D.J. Stables) ran the mom, so that helped us spend a little more money on her," Valerio said. "She's very athletic, square across the ground with a great attitude. That's important to me."
D.J. Stables/VBS also bought Hip 574, a filly by Olympiad , for $65,000 from Claiborne Farm's consignment.
"I like this sale. It's a value sale, so I prefer to load up here," Valerio said. "I've bought some great horses out of this sale, so I'm never going to miss it."
