Tuesday, September 22, 2015
For nearly any freshman sire to average $172,353 with his first yearlings is an accomplishment. For a sire to do so off a $15,000 fee is remarkable.
So what does it say that THE FACTOR’s first yearlings have average more than 11x his stud fee? It says that horseman have roundly judged his stock to be outstanding representations of the emerging War Front sire line, and that much is expected from this record-breaking son of that top stallion.
Through the end of Book 3 at Keeneland September, THE FACTOR is the #2 sire in the nation by both yearling average and yearling median ($130,000).
At the September sale alone, no fewer than 20 yearlings by THE FACTOR have sold for $100,000 or more, including seven who sold for $250,000 or more.
Leading the way is a $600,000 colt form the Bernardini mare Aspen Light who was hammered down to Zayat Stables.
“(He’s) by THE FACTOR, a beautiful-looking, athletic horse,” said Justin Zayat, racing manager for his family’s Zayat Stables. “We loved him. The first second we saw him, he was a standout to us. (He was) bred by Barbara (Banke) at Stonestreet, so you know they are going to breed a good horse. We are looking forward to racing him.”
On Day 7 of the sale, buyers were still incredibly enthusiastic about THE FACTOR yearlings, as evidenced by the sale of a $425,000 colt to Crupi’s New Castle. The colt is a half to SW & G2SP Gracer and is from the immediate family of the G2SW Strike a Deal (SMART STRIKE).
Another two colts by THE FACTOR at September made $310,000 each. The first was a half-brother to the Grade 1 winner So Many Ways who sold to Shortleaf Stable. The second, produced by a half to sprint champion Midnight Light, sold to Cromwell Bloodstock.
Other yearlings by THE FACTOR brought $260,000, $250,000 (2), $195,000, $180,000, etc.