Spangled Banner $1 Million Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale 11.7
The $1 million sale of Spangled Banner and a $750,000 purchase of Hot Mash highlight two days of competitive bidding, while demand for quality weanlings remains evident.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 8, 2026) — Book 3 of the 2026 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale concluded Saturday with a historic seven-figure transaction, strong interest in promising young bloodstock, and combined sales of $43,796,700 across 475 horses during the November 6–7 sessions.
The two-day segment was highlighted by Spangled Banner’s record-setting $1 million sale to Al Ruwais Stables on Saturday, while Grade 1-placed Hot Mash commanded $750,000 during Friday’s session.
Although Book 3’s combined gross declined approximately 13.7% compared with the corresponding sessions in 2025, demand for established female families, proven racing pedigrees, and offspring of leading stallions remained a prominent feature of the marketplace.
Spangled Banner Makes Keeneland November History
Saturday’s fifth session produced a landmark moment when Spangled Banner, the dam of Champagne Stakes (G1) winner U. S. S. Valor, sold for $1 million to Al Ruwais Stables, becoming the first horse in Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale history to reach seven figures during Session 5.
The 15-year-old daughter of Tiz Wonderful, consigned by Bluewater Sales, was offered in foal to Tiz the Law, carrying a half-sibling to U. S. S. Valor.
Her value was further enhanced by the impressive performance of her 2-year-old son, who captured the Champagne Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park on October 3 by an authoritative 6½ lengths.
Spangled Banner’s pedigree also includes stakes winner Ladyecho and Grade 1 winner Curalina among her extended family.
The transaction represented the 25th horse to sell for $1 million or more during the first five days of this year’s November Sale, already surpassing the 18 seven-figure transactions recorded during the entire 2025 edition.
Al Ruwais Stables finished Saturday as the leading buyer, acquiring two horses for a combined $1,110,000, including Wild Mint, a Medaglia d’Oro mare in foal to Mindframe and a full sister to leading sire Violence.
Hot Mash Leads Friday’s Opening Session of Book 3
Friday’s fourth session was topped by Hot Mash, a Grade 1-placed 3-year-old daughter of Not This Time, purchased for $750,000 by Hugo Merry Bloodstock on behalf of Blue Diamond Stud USA.
Consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency as a racing or broodmare prospect, Hot Mash is a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Peace and War and comes from a family that includes graded stakes winners Rushie and Miss Baja.
Three additional transactions reached $450,000 during Friday’s session:
- French Friction, a stakes-winning daughter of City of Light, purchased by Gainesway.
- Khuluq, a stakes-placed Bernardini mare in foal to Gunite, acquired by Weatherford Bloodstock.
- Good Magic weanling colt, out of Grade 3-placed Shesa Mystery, purchased by Castleton Way from Lane’s End.
Weatherford Bloodstock led Friday’s buyers, spending $780,000 on two horses, while Taylor Made Sales Agency topped the consignor standings with 34 horses sold for $3,961,000.
Weanlings Attract Significant Buyer Interest
Young Thoroughbreds continued to generate meaningful activity throughout Book 3, particularly those by successful or emerging stallions.
Friday’s highest-priced weanling was the $450,000 Good Magic colt, followed by a son of Early Voting purchased by Fair Bloodstock for $385,000.
On Saturday, a Tiz the Law weanling colt topped the juvenile offerings at $375,000. Purchased by Tioga Bloodstock and consigned by Blandford Stud, the colt is out of Teasin’ Tesla, by Will Take Charge, and descends from the family of Grade 1 winners Cotton Blossom and Ceiling Crusher.
Another notable transaction involved a Golden Pal weanling filly, acquired for $285,000 by Caitlin Dunne, agent for trainer Wesley Ward. The filly, consigned by Paramount Sales, is out of Dawn Chorus and comes from the family of champion Countess Diana.
Additional Saturday highlights included Wellston, a 4-year-old daughter of Speightstown in foal to Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Sierra Leone, who sold for $335,000 to Springland Farm, and Shared Value, a Gun Runner mare in foal to Mindframe, purchased for $280,000.
A weanling colt by Vekoma also attracted attention, bringing $260,000 from Cavalier Bloodstock.
Book 3 Results: $43.8 Million Across Two Sessions
The two-day segment generated the following results:
| Category | Friday, Nov. 6 | Saturday, Nov. 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Horses sold | 229 | 246 |
| Gross sales | $22,399,700 | $21,397,000 |
| Average price | $97,815 | $86,980 |
| Median price | $70,000 | $70,000 |
| Highest-priced horse | $750,000 | $1,000,000 |
Combined Book 3 results:
- Total horses sold: 475
- Gross sales: $43,796,700
- Average price: Approximately $92,204
- Change in gross from 2025: Down approximately 13.7%
While overall session totals trailed last year’s corresponding figures, the strength of the top transactions illustrated continued demand for quality bloodstock with established pedigrees and commercial potential.
Keeneland November Surpasses $217 Million Through Five Days
Following the conclusion of Book 3, the 2026 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale had generated $217,742,700 in reported gross sales from 1,038 horses through the auction ring.
The cumulative results represented a 1.34% increase in gross sales compared with the corresponding period in 2025, despite fewer horses changing hands.
The average price climbed 9.83% to $209,772, while the median declined 11.54% to $115,000.
These figures reflect a market in which top-quality breeding prospects continue to command premium prices, even as broader market results show greater variation across different segments.
The historic sale of Spangled Banner, the continued commercial appeal of daughters of leading sires, and active demand for weanlings by prominent stallions reinforced Keeneland November’s position as a major international marketplace for Thoroughbred breeding stock.
The auction continues with Book 4 on November 8–9, followed by Book 5 on November 10–11. Keeneland’s November Horses of Racing Age Sale is scheduled for Thursday, November 12.
Agentes 305 | Thoroughbred Racing News & International Bloodstock Coverage
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