March 29, 2024

Siren Serenade brings $1.025 million as Keeneland January kicks off

Siren Serenade was the only seven-figure offering during the five-day Keeneland January auction (Photo courtesy of Keeneland)

SIREN SERENADE, the dam of Grade 1-placed Luminance offered in foal to Tapit on a June 4 cover, brought a final bid of $1.025 million from Don Alberto Corporation at Monday’s first session of the 2017 Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale. Consigned by Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales Agency, agency, Siren Serenade toured the ring as Hip No. 145.

By Unbridled’s Song and out of multiple Grade 1 winner Versailles Treaty, by Danzig, Siren Serenade is a half-sister to Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) hero George Vancouver and a three-quarter sister to Grade 2 scorer Saarland.

Reiley McDonald signed the ticket for the 11-year-old Siren Serenade, the dam of 2015 Santa Anita Oaks (G1) runner-up Luminance.

“She is a big strong mare; it’s a lovely family,” McDonald said. “I bought her for Don Alberto Corporation, and they already own part of the family. Don Alberto is playing at the highest end of the game, so she was just the perfect mare for them. She’s a very nice mare, a graded stakes producer in foal to the very best sire in the country.”

Delightful Joy winning the 2016 Monmouth Oaks (G3) Photo By Bill Denver/EQUI-PHOTO
Delightful Joy winning the 2016 Monmouth Oaks (G3) Photo By Bill Denver/EQUI-PHOTO

DELIGHTFUL JOY, a four-year-old filly who won the Monmouth Oaks (G3) last season, was sold as a broodmare prospect to Oussama Aboughazale’s International Equities Holding for $700,000. She was offered by Denali Stud (Craig & Holly Bandoroff), agent, and sported Hip 309.

“She is really pretty and pretty means a lot,” Craig Bandoroff said. “She had the physical so I wasn’t surprised. When they look the part, they bring the upper end of what you hope. She is from a good family that sells well and she is by Tapit. A pretty Tapit that can run is a good combination.”

Out of the Grade 3-winning Graeme Hall mare Graeme Six, Delightful Joy is a half-sister to Grade 3 winner Cali Star.

“She is a just a really nice filly, great range, great scope,” Frances Relihan, who signed the ticket for Delightful Joy, said. “She was a good race filly and she is from a really strong family.”

Relihan revealed Delightful Joy might be bred to War Front.

GROSSE POINTE ANNE, a Silver Deputy half-sister to juvenile champion and sire Uncle Mo, was gaveled down to Alistar Roden Bloodstock for $460,000. Hip 350 was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent.

Out of the multiple stakes-placed Playa Maya, by Arch, the 10-year-old Grosse Pointe Anne has reared the stakes-placed Indian Annie and was offered in foal to Pioneerofthe Nile on a May 28 cover.

Business was down across the board at the end of the conclusion of the opening session. On Monday, 163 horses brought $10,514,000, a decline of 22.9 percent over last year’s corresponding session when 182 head grossed $13,631,200. The average was down 13.9 percent, from $74,897 to $64,503, while the median dipped 11.4 percent, from $39,500 to $35,000.

The sale continues through Friday with daily sessions beginning at 10 a.m. (EST). Full results and live video can be found at keeneland.com.