First-Crop Classic Empire Colt Leads Final Session of Successful Kentucky October Yearlings Sale

Thursday, October 29, 2020
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Fasig-Tipton Photo

A colt from the first crop of 2016 Eclipse Champion Two-Year-Old Male Classic Empire led five yearlings sold for $200,000 or more during the final session of the 2020 Kentucky October Yearlings sale on Thursday in Lexington, Kentucky.

The Classic Empire colt topped the session when sold for $310,000 to Mike Ryan, agent from the consignment of St George Sales, agent (video). Offered as Hip 1398, the bay colt is out of the winning Bernardini mare Delay of Game, whose first foal, Spa Ready (Street Sense), was a 3 1/4-length winner on debut last month at Belmont Park. The immediate family includes U.S. and European champion two-year-old colt Johannesburg. The session topper was bred in New York by EKQ Stables Corp.

Four other yearlings sold for $200,000 or more during the final session, including:

  • Hip 1173, a colt by Empire Maker out of Bagatelle Park (Speightstown), sold for $200,000 to Tonja Terranova, agent from the consignment of Gainesway, agent. From the immediate family of Grade 1 winner Seattle Slew, the colt was bred in Kentucky by D. H. Steve Conboy & Empire Maker Syndicate.
  • Hip 1372, a filly by Empire Maker out of Curlin's Mistress (Curlin), sold for $200,000 to X-Men Racing LLC from the consignment of Gainesway, agent. Out of a full sister to multiple Grade 2 winner Curlin's Approval, the filly was bred in Florida by Happy Alter & Empire Maker Syndicate.
  • Hip 1422, a filly by Constitution out of Distinct Sparkle (With Distinction), sold for $200,000 to Shepherd Equine Advisors, agent for Sanders & Hirsch from the consignment of Bluewater Sales, agent. From the immediate family of Breeders' Cup winner Very Subtle, the filly was bred in Pennsylvania by Roberta L. Schneider MD.
  • Hip 1534, a filly by Nyquist out of Four Sugars (Lookin At Lucky), sold for $200,000 to Oracle Bloodstock, agent from the consignment of Eaton Sales, agent. A half-sister to multiple Grade/Group 1 placed stakes winner Gronkowski, the filly was bred in Kentucky by Diamond Creek Farm.

During the final session, 235 yearlings sold for a $7,290,900, good for an average of $31,025. The session median was $15,000. Over the course of four days of selling, 961 yearlings changed hands for $32,743,000. The average was $34,073. The four-day median was $15,000, a 15% increase over the median posted during the 2019 sale.

Results are available online.