Aurelia and Eli the leading Ladies as Kentucky prepares for sales spectacular

All signs are pointing in positive directions as the world gathers in Kentucky for the November breeding stock sales that begin at Fasig-Tipton on Sunday, the day after global superstars including Enable, Thunder Snow and Roaring Lion are set to run for Breeders’ Cup trophies at Churchill Downs.

More than 4,750 mares, racing or breeding prospects, and weanlings have been catalogued for the single-session Fasig-Tipton auction - known as Night of the Stars - and the 12-session Keeneland sale that follows on Monday and, as vice president Bob Elliston says, offers "something for everyone."

"There's a good bit of reason to be optimistic," Elliston said in looking ahead to the sales, while pointing particularly to the strong economic conditions that helped generate the highest total turnover at the Keeneland September yearling sale - with 2,916 horses sold for $377.14 million - since 2007. "And there seems to be a clear demand, domestically and internationally, for American-bred horses."

The sentiment at Fasig-Tipton is just as buoyant.

"We're very optimistic," said president Boyd Browning Jr. "We have one of the strongest and deepest catalogues in many years - we've got the complete package."

View Racing Post Bloodstock's Kentucky Breeding Stock supplement

Buyers will find jewels throughout both catalogues, with Fasig-Tipton featuring international star sprinter Lady Aurelia (Lot 200) and Keeneland showcasing champion Lady Eli, in foal to War Front (111). Both are consigned through John Sikura's Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency.

Weanlings from the first crops of two-time Horse of the Year California Chrome and European champion Air Force Blue, Classic winners Nyquist and Exaggerator, champions Flintshire, Runhappy and Australian-bred Vancouver, and other stars such as Frosted will make their public debuts at market.

At the same time, some of the first mares in foal to recent stars such as champions Arrogate and Gun Runner also will be offered, providing even more highlights in what promises to be a dynamic marketplace that could attract even more international interest than usual.

Lady Eli: the five-time Grade 1 winner is catalogued as lot 111 at Keeneland, where she will be offered in foal to War FrontCredit: Benoit Photo

"There is usually a 'bump' up when the Breeders' Cup is in our back yard," Elliston said, noting that many of the owners and connections of the 48 international Cup runners are expected to attend the beginning days of the sales. Churchill Downs is only about 75 miles from Lexington, making it very easy to attend both racing and sales.

"When the principals come [to the Breeders' Cup] and have the ability to just come down the road to the sales, that adds to the possibilities. We're very aware of those principals [planning to attend the Breeders' Cup] and we're very excited."

When the Fasig-Tipton sale begins on Sunday afternoon, there will be a number of broodmare prospects on the grounds at Newtown Paddocks who had been entered to compete in the Breeders' Cup and thus could have substantial catalogue updates.

They include the Chad Brown-trained Grade 1 winners A Raving Beauty, by Mastercraftsman (160), and Fourstar Crook, by Freud (195). Both were entered in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf along with three stablemates including Santa Monica, a Graded and Group winner who is catalogued as lot 179 at Keeneland.

View full Fasig-Tipton November Sale catalogue

Other top mares in the Fasig-Tipton catalogue include Drumette (153), dam of top US three-year-old filly Monomoy Girl and in foal to first-year covering sire Mastery; Grade 1 winner Appealing Zophie (159), who is carrying a full sibling, by Tapit, to Belmont Stakes winner Tapwrit; champion Caledonia Road (168), by Quality Road; Grade 1 winner Daddy's Lil Darling (180), by Scat Daddy; Song Of Bernadette (188), dam of dirt and turf Grade 1 winner and Breeders' Cup Classic contender Catholic Boy and in foal to War Front.

There is also Love The Chase (218), dam of California Chrome and in foal to Uncle Mo; Loving Vindication (219), dam of Canadian champion Wonder Gadot, a contender in the Breeders' Cup Distaff; Maggie McGowan (221), a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Evening Jewel and dam of Grade 1 winner Denman's Call who is in foal to Arrogate; Breeders' Cup Distaff winner Stopchargingmaria (234), in foal to Tapit and consigned along with her weanling Pioneerof The Nile filly (233); and Grade 1 winners Pretty City Dancer (122) - in foal to Medaglia D'Oro - Salty (129) and American Gal (157).

Members of the Coolmore team inspect American Gal at the Fasig-Tipton November SaleCredit: Fasig-Tipton Photo

At Keeneland the featured offerings include Galileo's Song (71), a Galileo Graded stakes-placed half-sister to Grade 1 winner Magnificent Song in foal to Curlin; Lucas Street (128), dam of Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint winner Wavell Avenue and in foal to Arrogate; Luxury (130), a Galileo half-sister to Shamardal in foal to War Front; Malibu Model (134), a half-sister to multiple Grade 1 winner and Breeders' Cup Classic contender McKinzie and in foal to Curlin; Mezinka (139), a Bodemeister half-sister to Pioneerof The Nile in foal to Uncle Mo.

View full Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale catalogue

Also, Galileo's Group winner Pretty Perfect (166), out of a Group 1-placed sister to Holy Roman Emperor and in foal to War Front; the unraced Scandalous Song (183), a half-sister to champion Stardom Bound and in foal to Uncle Mo; Treasure Trail (226), a Pulpit half-sister to Horse of the Year Zenyatta who has already produced Group 3 winner and Grade 1-placed Long Island Sound, in foal to Uncle Mo; Grade 1 winner Vasilika (231); Grade 1 winner Zipessa (245) in foal to Medaglia D’Oro; Peruvian Group 1 winner Almudena (245A), already the dam of Peruvian champion Cascanueces and in foal to Candy Ride, and Grade 1 winner Union Strike (245E).

Weanlings at Keeneland include two potential superstars from the Hill 'n' Dale consignment: a Tapit half-sister to Arrogate (28), and a Curlin half-sister to Grade 1 winner and young stallion Honor Code (188).

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