'I would have gone a little more, but don't tell anybody' - half-sister to dual Grade 1 winner tops Keeneland at $900,000

The Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale forged onward with a strong third session on Thursday in Lexington, topped by the $900,000 sale of a half-sister to dual Grade 1 winner and recent Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint runner-up Society.

William Shively signed the ticket for Finesse, on behalf of his Dixiana Farm. The unraced three-year-old Street Sense filly out of the winning Tapit mare Etiquette was offered in foal to Nyquist.

Her half sister, by Gun Runner, has been one of the best female sprinters of 2024. She counts the 2022 Grade 1 Cotillion Stakes and the 2024 Grade 1 Ballerina Handicap among her four Graded wins. 

Warrendale Sales, agent, consigned Finesse, herself a $725,000 Keeneland September Yearling Sale purchase for Windancer Farm.

Shively was attracted by Finesse's conformation, her female family, and the year her covering sire Nyquist has had, which has included four Grade 1 winners, led by undefeated Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies winner Immersive.

Nyquist's stud fee, which was $85,000 this year at Darley when Finesse was covered, will increase to $175,000 for 2025.

Shively said: "It's very hard to buy a good horse, right? I would have gone a little more, but don't tell anybody. It's what we're for at Dixiana, just real quality. I think she'll be great for a long time.

"I've shopped a lot, and not bought much. Part of it is, how many good horses are there? And the good ones bring a lot of money. Now it's to the point where you have to spend a little more money to get a few good ones. It's just the way the world is right now."

Shively said he has about 50 broodmares at his Lexington farm that he describes primarily as a commercial breeding operation. He said 2025 mating plans for Finesse would be finalised after he sees the Nyquist baby.

"If [Finesse] has a nice Nyquist filly, she'll probably be racing for Dixiana," said Shively.

William Shively: could race Finesse's foalCredit: Keeneland photo

The biggest news of the day was the market's continued positive reception to this year's first-crop weanling sires and a steady rise in median price for all hip types, which at $120,000 registered a nine per cent increase from $110,000 at the corresponding session last year. 

Keeneland reported 236 horses sold from 286 offered, for total sales of $35,538,500 on Thursday. There were 21 fewer horses offered than last year, but total sales were still able to avoid a drop. The average price increased by one per cent to $150,587. 

Thursday's session ended Book 2 of the five-book sale. Through three days, Keeneland has produced a two per cent decrease in total sales, a one per cent decrease in average price, and a flat median. The small drop in total receipts is more than accounted for by 51 fewer offerings (down six per cent). (BloodHorse sale statistics include private sales.)

The top-priced weanling on Thursday was Hip 1050, a Life Is Good colt who sold to Flying Dutchmen for $400,000. He was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent for the colt's breeder China Horse Club, who also campaigned the ultra-talented multiple Grade 1 winner with WinStar Farm, where he now stands.

First-crop weanling sires dominated the market on Thursday, accounting for six of the top seven prices for weanlings. Based on market response thus far, this could be an above-average group of new stallions.

The Keeneland November sale continues at 10am local time (3pm GMT) on Friday, with the start of Book 3.

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