The annual yearling sale at Keeneland opened this week, and the highest price so far this September has been for an Earle Mack, LLC bred colt known as Hip 120. The colt’s mother is Joyful, also bred by Earle Mack and winner of three races. The colt’s father, Awesome Again, is the winner of a $4.3 million Breeder’s Cup Classic prize. The horses sired by Awesome Again have collectively gone on to win over $66 million. Hip 120 sold for $235,000.
Joyful’s previous foal, Cleburne, was sold last year at the same sale for $310,000. Cleburne made his debut this week at Churchhill Downs with a Saturday victory. Joyful is eight years old and is owned by Earle Mack.
Keeneland is a premiere thoroughbred racetrack in Kentucky and is also the leading thoroughbred auction house. Keeneland has sold 78 Breeder’s Cup Champions. The grounds of Keeneland are open to the public and the organization has a community foundation to support the local area and the thoroughbred industry.