KEENELAND CHAMPIONSHIP SALE

Hill ‘n’ Dale at Xalapa paid $3 million for a share in leading sire Not This Time to record the highest price of the second Keeneland Championship Sale on Wednesday evening in the Paddock at Del Mar, site of the 2025 Breeders’ Cup World Championships. Keeneland is fresh off a record-breaking yearling sale in September & the Keeneland Championship Sale at the Breeder’s Cup yesterday at Del Mar, CA proves that horses are becoming the new sought after item.

Keeneland created the Championship Sale to be an opportunity for buyers to participate in the highest level of Thoroughbred racing while enjoying a festive event in the days before the Breeders’ Cup.

“We are so pleased to return to the Del Mar Paddock for the second annual Keeneland Championship Sale, and we couldn’t have asked for a more memorable evening,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “The atmosphere was exceptional, the buyers turned out in full force and the results truly speak for themselves. “It’s incredibly exciting for Keeneland to help build momentum for the World Championships,” Arvin added, “bringing people together at the highest level of our sport and carrying that energy and enthusiasm into the remarkable weekend ahead.”

The share was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent for Aaron and Marie Jones. In a unique feature of the offering, the buyer will receive all income from Not This Time’s 2025 breeding season. The 11-year-old son of Giant’s Causeway stands at Taylor Made Stallions in Nicholasville, Kentucky.

“We own elite mares and we breed to elite stallions,” Hill ‘n’ Dale owner John G. Sikura said. “We own interests in most of the significant Kentucky sires where ownership opportunities are available. This is a horse whose record speaks for itself. He’s a prolific young sire who gets dirt and turf and looks like he’s here to stay. (Hill ‘n’ Dale stallion) Curlin is 21 years old, and we’re diversifying our interests a little bit. We’re involved in Gun Runner, Nyquist and Flightline.

“Every time there is an opportunity to get more involved in young, prolific stallions, it’s worth looking at,” Sikura continued. “That was a fair price; it was a substantial amount of money, but you have to have a long-term view.

Hill ‘n’ Dale at Xalapa also acquired the 20% fractional ownership interest in reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna for $1 million. The filly was consigned by McPeek Racing Stables, agent for Richard M. Edwards.

Hill ‘n’ Dale already was a partner in the ownership of the 4-year-old daughter of Fast Anna, who has been retired and will begin her broodmare career at the farm in 2026.

“Keeneland has done a great job with the hospitality and the setup – it’s got a great feel,” Sikura added. “I think it’s a sale that will build upon its success every year and could be the boutique sale of the year.”