Classic Empire Head Shot

Oxley Continues Family Tradition with $320,000 Colt

John Oxley purchased Classic Empire at Keeneland’s September Yearling Sale in 2015 and five years later history repeated when he purchased his Champion 2-Year-Old’s $320,000 daughter during Thursday's session.

Consigned by Paramount Sales and bred by Springhouse Farm, Hip 1009 has deep connections to the Ashford stallion barn. The filly is out of a half-sister to Classic Empire’s three-time Grade I winning studmate Practical Joke and saw a major update before the sale with her own half-sister breaking her maiden.

This filly’s stakes placed granddam Halo Humor is also a half-sister to stakes winner Cubera and Halo Humor herself has produced two winners from three to race.

A Champion 2-Year-Old and Grade I winning 3-year-old for Oxley, Classic Empire has been popular at Keeneland this week with his 10 sold averaging $186,000 with a median of $122,500.

Those yearlings have sold for up to $350,000 with four bringing over $300,000 and seven bringing six figures.