$650,000 Keeneland September Book Two Colt for Uncle Mo

Strong results for leading sire Uncle Mo have continued during Book Two of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale with a colt from Lost Empire selling for $650,000.

Consigned by Paramount Sales and bought by Juddmonte Farms, the colt is from a half-sister by Empire Maker to Grade II winner Chief Havoc and grand-daughter of Champion Older Mare Queena.

“Now that we’re in Book 2, the number that have the credentials that he had, which is good looks, by a top sire, also with a lovely female pedigree... are going to thin out considerably,” said Juddmonte Farms Garrett O’Rourke.

“He’s just a colt from a lovely King Ranch family that I’ve really admired over the years as well. It’s nice to get into something along those lines, and again just looking for horses today who, if they could hit the top line, could ultimately be stallion prospects.”

The Uncle Mo x Empire Maker cross has already produced Grade I winner Outwork and Empire Maker being a Juddmonte bred horse no doubt held some appeal.

“I wouldn’t say that it was the primary factor, but obviously there’s a fondness there that I’ve always had for the horse, so it’ll be nice to be bringing back some of the genes,” O’Rourke added.

“He didn’t quite resemble [Empire Maker], I don’t think, but at the same time between the Empire Maker and the Uncle Mo and back to that Queena family, you’re talking about nothing but Classic bloodlines. Hopefully he can follow his genes.”