Masmak Tops Keeneland April Selected HORA Auction at $375,000

Keeneland announced Saturday afternoon that Listed Excelsior Stakes-placed Masmak (Vino Rosso) sold for $375,000 after the conclusion of the April Selected Horses of Racing Age sale, officially becoming the auction topper.

The chestnut colt, consigned by ELiTE as agent, was purchased by Cromwell Bloodstock. Masmak is out of GSP Nite In Rome (Harlan’s Holiday), making him a half-brother to TDN Rising Star MGSW Three Technique (Mr Speaker) and MSW & MGSP Stan the Man (Broken Vow).

With this transaction finalized, the sale results have been updated to reflect 47 horses sold for $4,329,000, marking a 7 percent increase from last year’s gross of $3,940,000 when 54 horses sold.

The average price rose 27 percent from $72,963 to $92,106, while the median jumped 69 percent to $65,000 from last year’s figure of $38,500.

ELiTE emerged as the auction’s leading consignor with a perfect clearance rate—all 25 of their horses sold for a gross of $2.3 million. This represented 53 percent of the sale’s total gross, with their offerings averaging $92,000 and a median of $65,000.

“Although digital sales might have impacted the entire sale’s gross numbers offered at Keeneland’s April live sale, we were able to offer and sell our biggest and best draft to date at this sale this year,” said ELiTE’s Brad Weisbord.

“You can’t beat the atmosphere of a live sale, and that will generally align with a very high clearance rate,” Weisbord added. “It’s safer and more fun to shop at and attend live sales. This was a win-win for everyone. It’s what we are all about—pleasing both buyers and sellers.”

A comprehensive recap of the sale and ELiTE’s results is available on the Keeneland website.