As the select portion of the sale gets on its way, first year sires will test the Keeneland market for the first time. Most of them have already been showcased at Fasig-Tipton or other sales and have begun to offer clues on how the market will receive them. But the real test will come at Keeneland. The fact that each sire will offer a large number of yearlings means that full cross section of their offspring will be sold which will give us a good idea of how the market is receiving them. Although there are no real Vindications, Empire Makers or Mineshafts this year among the first year sire crop with the potential to sell multi million dollar yearlings (with the possible exception of Smarty Jones). The crop does have depth to it and there will be something for everyone among these stallions.

Among the stallions that have sold yearlings in past sales below are some of the most anticipated:

Smarty Jones (Elusive Quality): The cream of this crop Smarty Jones captured the imagination of the nation as a racehorse. The Kentucky Derby winner has already sold 3 yearlings so far this year for an average of $316,666 and a median of $150,000. These prices may be a disappointment to breeders who paid over six figures to breed to him. Smarty Jones is a very plain chestnut horse; he is very well balanced but is not particularly impressive physically. He was bred to a spectacular book of mares during his first year and his median should improve as the sale moves forward.

Pleasantly Perfect (Pleasant Colony): The late developing Breeders’ Cup hero has sold only 2 yearlings so far this year for an average of $219,458. It is usually hard to sell horses by sires in the Pleasant Colony line since some very nice racehorses from that line such as Behrens, St. Joivite etc have failed to produce anything of consequence. He does have the ability to produce big, athletic, good looking yearlings that may find homes with the high end buyers.

Speightstown (Gone West): The speedy son of Gone West was also a late maturing type. The Gone West line has shown to be very versatile as buyers both in the US and Europe have rediscovered horses like Mr. Greeley. He has a lot of pedigree and is a strong, well built chestnut that should appeal to a broad cross section of end users. His median so far has been of $160,000 with 13 sold from 14 offered.

Medaglia d’Oro (El Prado): Has come out swinging at the sales with a median of $155,000. He is an extraordinarily beautiful horse that should be transmitting his great looks to his offspring. The Travers Stakes winner should also be appealing to a large base of buyers and may still offer some value to potential purchasers. He will offer 84 yearlings at Keeneland.

Strong Hope (Grand Slam): He defeated Empire Maker in the Jim Dandy. The good looking son of Grand Slam has a good race record but lacks the pedigree depth of some of his pears. The 9 he has sold have done very well reching a median of $120,000.

Lion Heart (Tale of the Cat): One of the best looking horses in the group, Lion Heart lost the Kentucky Derby to Smarty Jones and finished a game second in that race. He has been one of the most active sires so far in terms of sale presence with 36 offered and 28 sold. His median of $130,000 is probably reflective of what his final numbers will be like at Keeneland. With 95 yearlings to be offered he could have had his own sale.

Perfect Soul (Saddler’s Wells): The well balanced late maturing turf miller has only sold 2 thus far for a median of $129,750. With 33 to sell at Keeneland we will get a better idea soon of just how much demand there is for a pure turf horse this year who may be more attractive to US buyers with the advent of Politrack.

Johar (Gone West): Another pure turf horse but this time from the more fashionable Gone West line will be interesting to follow. The Breeders’ Cup Turf champion has shown that he can get big numbers by selling one for over $300,000. His median of $70,000 is low considering his ability of the racehorse. May offer value for brave buyers who don’t mind a long distance turf horse.

Chapel Royal (Montbrook): Another very good looking horse. He has been the king of the auction ring, at least by number offered so far with 44. Of those he has sold 35 for a median of $50,000 but he has been able to sell for as much as $320,000. With lots of speed and early maturity he may offer the best value among the first year sires with the large number of yearlings still to sell. 56 of his yearlings will go through the ring.