Keeneland Will Auction Shares in 9 Breeders’ Cup Horses and the Historic Castleton Farm
The third edition of the Championship Sale will take place on October 28, just two days before the world championships; fractional shares will be offered in Englishman and eight other contenders, while the legendary Kentucky property will serve as the marquee attraction of the finale
LEXINGTON, Kentucky (Special for Turf Diario).— Keeneland is preparing a truly unique auction for Breeders’ Cup week. On Wednesday, October 28, just 48 hours before the start of the world championships, it will host the third edition of the Championship Sale, an exclusive auction combining fractional interests in multi-million-dollar racehorses with an exceptional real estate opportunity: the chance to purchase the historic Castleton Farm.
The sales company announced that the interactive catalog is now available for the event, which will be held right on site at Castleton, one of Kentucky's most iconic properties, bringing invited buyers together for an evening expected to transcend the traditional boundaries of the thoroughbred market.
Leading the offerings is a 2.5 percent interest in Englishman, one of the top contenders for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint(G1). The 3-year-old son of Maxfield captured two top-level fixtures at Saratoga this season: the Woody Stephens Stakes (G1) and the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes (G1), posting Beyer Speed Figures of 115 and 117, respectively.
Consigned by Lane’s End, the share primarily comprises breeding rights and excludes purse earnings from his upcoming Breeders’ Cup performance. However, should the colt continue racing in 2027, the buyer will participate proportionally in campaign revenues and expenses.
Eight other Breeders’ Cup prospects will also be featured in the catalog, with ownership shares ranging from 25 to 100 percent.
Among them are Listenupshance (Shancelot), recent winner of the Bing Crosby Stakes (G1) and the Santa Anita Sprint Championship (G2), offering a 25 percent share; Liam Smith (Midshipman), who enters off back-to-back victories by a combined margin of 17 1/2 lengths, also with a quarter share available; and Little Thunder (Noble Bird), recently second in the Phoenix Stakes (G2), offering a 40 percent interest.
Iron Man Cal (Collected), winner of the Pat O’Brien Stakes (G2) and a contender for the Dirt Mile (G1), will have a 25 percent stake on offer, while Crazy Hot Mess (Pinehurst), a G1-placé at Del Mar, will offer 33 percent.
The international consignment includes Ballinea Star (Space Blues), winner of the Anglesey Stakes (G3) in Ireland, and Hell of a Spin (Naval Crown), both featuring 100 percent ownership for sale. Also available is Primetime Emmy, a daughter of Extreme Choice and winner of France's Prix Eclipse (G3), offering a 25 percent share.
The immediate precedent is particularly compelling. In 2025, Michael Iavarone acquired a 25 percent stake in Bentornato (Valiant Minister) at this same sale; just three days later, the horse went on to capture the Breeders’ Cup Sprint.
Yet the centerpiece of the evening will arrive with the final lot: Castleton Farm, a sprawling estate encompassing approximately 385 hectares located just minutes from Lexington.
The property features an 1840 Greek Revival mansion, 16 barns with capacity for 268 horses, 10 homes, and extensive breeding and training facilities. Its tree-lined drives, wrought-iron gates, and rich history tied to generations of champions make it one of the most recognized estates in the Bluegrass.
This marks the first time Keeneland will offer a real estate property of this stature at auction, with Ken Donworth of Bluegrass Sotheby’s International Realty handling the marketing.
Inaugurated in 2024, the Championship Sale quickly established a distinct niche. Its debut edition grossed $4,325,000, led by a share in Flightline (Tapit) that fetched $2.5 million. In 2025, total handle climbed to $7,675,000, anchored by a share in Not This Time (Giant's Causeway) that commanded $3 million.
Bidding will kick off at 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time, offering live, telephone, and online participation.
Once again, Keeneland is blending high-stakes commerce, exclusivity, and spectacle. And this time, beyond securing a stake in a potential Breeders’ Cup champion, someone will walk away with one of the most famous properties in American racing history.
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