$950,000 colt tops Keeneland Day 1 for Pioneerof the Nile

Pioneerof the Nile’s results during Monday’s first session of the Sept. 10-23 Keeneland Yearling sale was highlighted by a $950,000 colt and a daily average of $472,000.

The daily topper for the WinStar stallion was hip No. 44, consigned by Denali Stud and purchased by SF Bloodstock and Starlight West. Bred by Stonestreet Farm, the bay colt is out of the graded stakes-placed mare Inny Minnie, who is a half-sister to Grade 2 winner Montgomery’s Arch.

Later in the session, hip No. 195, part of the Betz Thoroughbreds consignment, went to John Oxley for $775,000. The colt is out of Mining My Own, making him a half-brother to 2009 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mine That Bird and Pacific Classic (G1) winner Dullahan.

Pioneerof the Nile is the leading cumulative Sixth-Crop sire in virtually every category. This year’s crop includes Insta Erma, who won the Sept. 8 Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf (G3), and the Grade 1 placed duo of Mother Mother and Mississippi.