ELiTE has transferred as agent Uncle Mo’s 5-year-old son, who recently won the Forty Niner Stakes (G3) on November 2 at Aqueduct racecourse. That win was his fifth in seven starts this year with earnings of $468,600. After a second place in an optional claims race on Oaklawn Park In early January, he added an optional allowance claimer at Oaklawn, as well as the American Pharoah Stakes there. He then added the Westchester Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct and the Salvator Mile (G3) at Monmouth Park. A sixth place in the Forego Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course preceded his victory in the Forty Niner.
He also ran well as a younger horse for trainer Brad Cox, earning a place in the 2023 Peter Pan Stakes (G3) and the 2023 Ohio Derby (G3) at age 3. He has a career record of 8-3-0 in 12 starts, earning $702,800 for former owners Spendthrift Farm, Steve Landers, Martin Schwartz, Michael Dubb, Ten Strike Racing, Jim Bakke, Titletown Racing, Kueber Racing, Big Easy Racing, Rick Kanter, Michael Caruso and WinStar Farm.
Lanz said there are two plans discussed for the newly needed horse, one of which would see Bishops Bay competing again in New York this year in the $500,000 Cigar Mile (G2). The race is on December 6 and he has a paid entry for winning the Forty Niner Stakes.
“We talked to Brad Cox and that is a possibility,” Lanz said. “If it is too early for the horse, we have the option to continue training the horse in quarantine for the King’s Cup (also known as The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup) in Saudi Arabia; that has not been confirmed yet. That race would take place on January 17; that is similar to Rattle n Roll’s plans they did last year. They won the race, so that is a possibility.”
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup (G3) is preparing for the Saudi Cup (G1) in February. Both races will be held at the King Abdulaziz Racecourse.
“If we win the King’s Cup against locally trained horses, we have a direct passage into the race, we qualify. If we win the Cigar Mile and we have a nice, high rating, then that is another way. We have to get an invitation from the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia.”
Lanz said Bishops Bay had been on his radar all year.
“I watched the replays and I recommended this horse because he is a very fair horse,” Lanz said. “If you look at his twelve starts, three seconds and only one bad start with a terrible trip in the Forego (Stakes) at Saratoga. He could have even won the race with a better trip. He is a very honest horse.”
Lanz, who was the biggest buyer at the sale with his sole purchase, said he wasn’t surprised by the $1.3 million needed to secure the multiple stakes winner.
“That’s usually what happens when the Middle East is fighting for the same horse,” Lanz said. “He was the best horse for me – two turns, a long-distance horse. So I told Prince we had to be ready.”
Bred in Kentucky by WinStar Farm, Bishops Bay is out of the Pioneer of the Nile mare Catch my drift who has produced two other black-type horses: winner of the 2024 Louisiana Derby (G2) Catching freedom (Constitution ) And Strava (In mischief ), who competed in the 2022 Ellis Park Derby. His mother has produced four winners from five foals. Seven of her foals are of racing age.
Bishops Bay was a $450,000 yearling purchase by BSW/Crow Colts Group from the September 2021 Yearling Sale from the Warrendale Sales consignment. The BSW/Crow Colts Group, organized by Brad Weisbord and Liz Crow of ELiTE, purchased yearling stallions with the aim of potentially developing them into promising racehorses and potential stallions.
A total of 112 horses changed hands during the one-day auction for gross proceeds of $10,628,500, including after-ring sales, a 23% increase over last year’s sale when 106 head raised $8,620,500. The average rose 17% from $81,325 to $94,898, while the median fell 16% from $47,500 to $40,000. Sixteen horses did not meet their reserve, resulting in an RNA percentage of 12.5%.
“This was a strong ending to a remarkable sales season,” said Keeneland vice president of sales Tony Lacy. “Setting a record for the top price in this format is very satisfying and reflects the continued demand for quality, race-ready horses as we enter a new season. The momentum we have seen throughout the year has continued to the end, and we are grateful to all the buyers and sellers whose participation and trust make this success possible.”
ELiTE was the top consignor with 44 horses from their draft selling for $5,508,500.
“We take this day seriously. It’s kind of our Super Bowl of the year,” said Liz Crow of ELiTE. “We’re trying to get as many horses as we can so we have good volume for people, so we have a $20,000 horse all the way to a million dollar horse. We were very happy with how things turned out. It was just a great day for our team. There’s a lot of work going on behind the scenes to get the 44 horses sold today (including three aftersales).”
ELiTE Sales co-founder Liz Crow (center) in the back ring at the Keeneland November Horses of Racing Age Sale
Crevalle d’Oro (Hip 4216) was the most expensive filly or mare, bringing $500,000 from Meah/Lloyd Bloodstock, agent for Mike and Jules Iavarone and TCC Stables. The 4 year old daughter of Constitution recently ran a game fourth in the Goldikova Stakes (G3T). Sea. The filly won on both grass and sand for trainer Lauren Robson.
Meah/Lloyd Bloodstock purchased three other horses for the Iavarones and TCC Stables for a total of $970,000.
Mike and Jules Iavarone recently purchased a 25% stake in the eventual winner of the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) Welcome back at Keeneland’s Championship Sale on October 29 for $1 million.
Keeneland will kick off the 2026 season with the January Horses of All Ages Sale, held January 12-15.
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