A Magical Derby Trifecta for September Sale Grads
When Mage rallied in the stretch to wear down Two Phil’s for a one-length victory in the 149th edition of the Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 6, the 3-year-old son of champion Good Magic became the 24th winner of North America’s most famous race to have been gone through the Keeneland sales ring.
More impressively, Mage–sold at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale for $235,000—led two other September Sale grads past the wire, with Two Phil’s and Angel of Empire finishing second and third, respectively. The Derby trifecta underscored why the September Sale is the premier source of classic success in North America.
Other recent Derby winners that appeared in the Keeneland sales ring were champion Nyquist, Always Dreaming, undefeated Triple Crown winner Justify and Authentic. Justify and Authentic both were voted Horse of the Year.
Dreams Come True
Mage was one of the most lightly raced starters in this year’s Derby, with only three starts that included one win and a runner-up effort to champion Forte in the Florida Derby (G1). By vanquishing more experienced contemporaries in the Derby, the colt trained by Gustavo Delgado increased his bankroll to $2,107,200 for OGMA Investments, Ramiro Restrepo, Sterling Racing and CMNWLTH, a diverse group of owners sharing in the classic success.
‘It’s Thrilling and Surreal’
Bred in Kentucky by Grandview Equine, which is headed by Three Chimneys Farm founder Robert Clay, Mage was consigned by Runnymede Farm, agent, to the September Sale, where he was purchased for $235,000 by the New Team pinhooking partnership of Sequel Bloodstock’s Becky Thomas and partners Lewis Lakin and Joey Platt.
It’s thrilling and surreal at the same time. You pinch yourself and then you pinch yourself again. He is not a big, strapping colt but he is really athletic. He sold himself.
‘We Never Dreamed He’d Be Like This’
By finishing second in the Kentucky Derby, Two Phil’s continued to perform for trainer Larry Rivelli and the ownership group of breeder Phillip Sagan, Patricia’s Hope and Madaket Stables. The Hard Spun colt earned his way into the Derby with an impressive victory in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park. Two Phil’s was offered in Book 1 of the September Sale by Ballysax Bloodstock, agent, and has earned $1,283,450 with a record of 4-1-2-1.
We always knew he was going to be a really nice horse, but we never dreamed he’d be like this. This horse has brought us to places that we’ve never dreamed of.
A $70,000 Yearling Returns Dividends
A 3-year-old son of champion Classic Empire, Angel of Empire was a deserving Kentucky Derby favorite following Forte’s withdrawal. Bred in Pennsylvania by Forgotten Land Investment and Black Diamond Equine Corp., the colt was purchased by Albaugh Family Stables for $70,000 from Warrendale Sales, agent, at the September Sale. With four wins in seven starts, including a victory in the Arkansas Derby (G1), Angel of Empire has earned $1,369,375, a healthy return on his purchase price.
