With five lots sold through the first two days of the Keeneland September Yearling sale, Pioneerof the Nile’s average sale price was $279,000, highest for any Third-Crop sire with a least two lots sold.
The quintet of youngsters, all colts, were led by a $375,000 bay Kentucky-bred sold by Valkyre Stud, agent for Oakbrook Farm and bought by Maverick Racing and China Horse Club. Consigned as hip No. 432, the colt is out of Mahindar, a half-sister to the stakes winner Naughty Holiday and out of a half-sister to millionaire Naughty New Yorker.
Other highlights include hip No. 343, purchased by Jerry Crawford for $285,000 and consigned by Taylor Made Sales. The colt is the first foal out of Island Striker, a full sister to graded winner High Strike Zone. Hip No. 272, consigned by Betz Thoroughbreds, also went to Maverick Racing and China Horse Club for $275,000. The colt comes from the same family as Canadian champion 3-year-old colt Big Red Mike and the multiple stakes winner Flashy N Smart.
Pioneerof the Nile has an additional 37 horses catalogued for the remainder of the sale, which continues through Sept. 26.
