9/13-24 (KEE): September Yearling Sale ~ Hips to Watch

[Kasept]

2021 Keeneland September hips to watch
Nicole Russo

Following are horses to watch during the Keeneland September yearling sale’s first week, comprising the upper-market Book 1 and Book 2 sections of the marathon sale. Tapit, War Front, Medaglia d’Oro, Curlin, and Galileo, who have led Keeneland September by average price each year since 2013, are all well represented on this list, as is two-time reigning leading sire Into Mischief. Horses were selected primarily based on the strength of their pedigrees and the racing or commercial results of notable family members. The selections reflect catalog updates through Aug. 25. Sale outs have been updated through Sept. 8.

Monday, Sept. 13 – Book 1, Session 1

Hip No. 2, filly by Galileo – I’m a Chatterbox, by Munnings. Consigned by Blandford Stud, agent.

This is the only yearling in the catalog from the third from last crop by international titan Galileo, who died in July. I’m a Chatterbox was a multiple Grade 1 winner; this is her second foal.

Hip No. 25, colt by Quality Road – Justwhistledixie, by Dixie Union. Consigned by Clearsky Farms, agent.

Multiple graded stakes winner Justwhistledixie is the dam of six winners from as many starters, including Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner New Year’s Day, Grade 2 winner and emerging young sire Mohaymen, and Grade 3 winners Enforceable and Kingly.

Hip No. 39, Prince of Truth, colt by Into Mischief – La Verdad, by Yes It’s True. Consigned by Denali Stud, agent for Lady Sheila Stable.

Leading sire Into Mischief was represented by the sale-toppers at the Fasig-Tipton July and Saratoga sales. Champion female sprinter La Verdad is the dam of one winner from two starters.

Hip No. 46, filly by War Front – Liscanna, by Sadler’s Wells. Consigned by Four Star Sales, agent.

This is a full sister to Group 1 winner Brave Anna, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner Hit It a Bomb, Grade 3-placed Border Town, and stakes-placed Threeandfourpence.

Hip No. 47, colt by Quality Road – Love and Pride, by A.P. Indy. Consigned by Gainesway, agent.

Love and Pride, a Grade 1 winner on both coasts, is the dam of four winners from as many starters, including stakes winner Princesinha Julia. This is the extended family of champion and successful sire Bernardini.

Hip No. 67, colt by Into Mischief – Miss Besilu, by Medaglia d’Oro. Consigned by Taylor Made Sales, agent.

Grade 1-placed Miss Besilu is the dam of Grade 3-placed Gun It. She is out of stakes winner Quiet Dance, making her a half-sister to Horse of the Year Saint Liam; to Grade 1 winner Funtastic; to Grade 2 winner Quiet Giant, the dam of Horse of the Year Gun Runner; to Grade 3 winner Congressionalhonor; and to stakes winner Dance Quietly.

Hip No. 126, Firedancer, colt by Curlin – Rigoletta, by Concerto. Consigned by Gainesway, agent.

Grade 1 winner Rigoletta is the dam of Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Battle of Midway, by Curlin’s sire, Smart Strike.

Hip No. 133, colt by Justify – Sambuca Classica, by Cat Thief. Consigned by Bluewater Sales, agent.

From the first crop of Triple Crown winner Justify, this colt is a half-brother to Eclipse Award champion juvenile Classic Empire, who went on to be classic-placed and who is now a stakes-producing freshman sire. Sambuca Classica also has produced stakes winners Anytime Magic and Uptown Twirl.

Hip No. 136, filly by War Front – Say, by Galileo. Consigned by Gainesway, agent.

Group stakes winner Say is the dam of Grade 1 winner Fog of War and stakes winners Naval Intelligence and Invader, all by War Front. The second dam is Grade 1 winner Riskaverse, and this is the extended family of Horse of the Year Havre de Grace, Belmont Stakes winner Tonalist, and others.

Hip No. 137, colt by Kitten’s Joy – Schiaparelli, by Ghostzapper. Consigned by Lane’s End, agent.

Grade 2 winner Schiaparelli, out of Grade 3 winner Cambiocorsa, is a half-sister to Grade 2 winner Moulin de Mougin and two other stakes winners. Their stakes-placed half-sister Vionnet is the dam of Kitten’s Joy’s European Horse of the Year Roaring Lion. This also is the immediate family of Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner California Flag.

Hip No. 164, colt by Tapit – Stopchargingmaria, by Tale of the Cat. Consigned by Gainesway, agent.

Stopchargingmaria counted the 2015 Breeders’ Cup Distaff among her multiple Grade 1 wins.

Hip No. 184, filly by Justify – Take Charge Brandi, by Giant’s Causeway. Consigned by Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales, agent.

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies winner and divisional champion Take Charge Brandi twice topped the Keeneland November sale when sold as a broodmare. She is a half-sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Omaha Beach, and her granddam is Broodmare of the Year Take Charge Lady.