Posted on by Judy Lincoln

Keeneland September Yearling Sale Graduate Mage Wins Kentucky Derby

Alumni of prestigious auction take top three spots

Keeneland’s 2021 September Yearling Sale produced the first three finishers – Mage, Two Phil’s and Angel of Empire – in today’s 149th running of the $3 million Kentucky Derby (G1) Presented by Woodford Reserve at Churchill Downs.

Owned by OGMA Investments, Ramiro Restrepo, Sterling Racing and CMNWLTH, Mage is the 24th Kentucky Derby winner from Keeneland sales. Other graduates to post recent wins are champion Nyquist (2016), Always Dreaming (2017), undefeated Triple Crown winner Justify (2018) and Authentic (2020). Justify and Authentic both were named Horse of the Year.

 Mage, a colt by Good Magic, was bred by Grandview Equine and sold to New Team for $235,000 at the September Sale from the consignment of Runnymede Farm, agent. Gustavo Delgado trains Mage, who was ridden by Javier Castellano.

Thirteen graduates of Keeneland’s 2021 September Sale were among the 22 3-year-olds entered in the Kentucky Derby.

Runner-up Two Phil’s was offered in Book 1 of the September Sale by Ballysax Bloodstock. Phillip Sagan bred the Hard Spun colt and races him with Patricia’s Hope and Madaket Stables. Jareth Loveberry rode Two Phil’s for trainer Larry Rivelli

Angel of Empire, who was third, sold to Albaugh Family Stables for $70,000 at the September Sale from the consignment of Warrendale Sales, agent. Bred by Forgotten Land Investment and Black Diamond Equine, Angel of Empire also was offered as a weanling at the 2020 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale by St George Sales, agent. Brad Cox trains Angel of Empire, a son of Classic Empire, who was ridden by Flavien Prat.

Earlier on the Derby Day card, these Keeneland sales graduates were victorious:

  • Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable’s Up to the Mark took the $1 million Old Forrester Bourbon Turf Classic (G1). The 4-year-old Not This Time colt sold to West Bloodstock, agent for Repole and St. Elias, for $450,000 in Book 1 of the 2020 September Sale. Todd Pletcher trains Up to the Mark, who was ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr.
  • Sold to owner Courtlandt Farm for $850,000 at the 2021 September Sale, General Jim prevailed in the $500,000 Pat Day Mile (G2) Presented by TwinSpires. Luis Saez rode the 3-year-old colt by Into Mischief for trainer Shug McGaughey.
  • D. J. Stable’s Webslinger, who was offered at the 2021 September Sale, won the $500,000 American Turf (G2) Presented by BMW. Mark Casse trains the 3-year-old gelding by Constitution, who was ridden by Javier Castellano.

On Friday, these alumni of Keeneland sales captured graded stakes at Churchill Downs:

  • Played Hard, purchased by owner Rigney Racing for $280,000 at the 2019 September Sale, took the $750,000 La Troienne (G1) Presented by TwinSpires. Phil Bauer trains the 5-year-old daughter of Into Mischief, who was ridden by John Velazquez.
  • Miacomet Farm’s Heavenly Sunday, offered at the 2021 September Sale, won the $500,000 Edgewood (G2) Presented by Forcht Bank. Florent Geroux rode the 3-year-old filly by Candy Ride (ARG), who is trained by Brad Cox.
  • Lucky Seven Stable’s Smile Happy, sold as a weanling at the 2019 November Sale for $175,000, won the $600,000 Alysheba (G2) Presented by Sentient Jet. Brian Hernandez Jr. rode the 4-year-old son of Runhappy for trainer Kenny McPeek.

Since its first race meet more than 85 years ago, the Keeneland Association has devoted itself to the health and vibrancy of the Thoroughbred industry. The world’s largest Thoroughbred auction house, Keeneland conducts five sales a year, in January, April, September and November. Graduates of Keeneland sales dominate racing across the globe at every level. In April and October, Keeneland offers some of the highest caliber and richest Thoroughbred racing in the world. Keeneland hosted the Breeders’ Cup World Championships in 2015, 2020 and 2022. Uniquely structured, Keeneland is a privately held company with a not-for-profit mission that returns its earnings to the industry and the community in the form of higher purses and millions of dollars donated in support of horse industry initiatives and charitable contributions for education, research, and health and human services throughout Central Kentucky. Keeneland also maintains the Keeneland Library, a world-renowned public research institution with the mission of preserving information about the Thoroughbred industry. To learn more, visit Keeneland.com.

For more information contact:
Amy Gregory at 859 361-3490
Amy Owens at 859 421-2566