Tip Top Thomas tops the Keeneland sale and will continue his career in Dubai

The winner of the Indiana Derby (G3) brought USD 460,000 at the Horses of Racing Age sale. The auction generated nearly USD 8 million in turnover, with Tiztastic and Salamis among the session's leading highlights

LEXINGTON, Kentucky (Special for Turf Diario).— The Dubai Racing Carnival is set to add a high-profile contender to its ranks. Tip Top Thomas, winner of the Indiana Derby (G3) and one of the top dirt performers of his generation in the United States, topped Thursday’s Keeneland Horses of Racing Age sale after bringing a final bid of USD 460,000.

The 4-year-old son of Volatile was purchased by Stuart Boman of Blandford Bloodstock on behalf of a longtime European client, with plans to continue his racing career at Meydan.

Previously conditioned by Todd Pletcher, Tip Top Thomas flashed top-class ability as a 2-year-old when finishing runner-up to Chancer McPatrick (McKinzie) in the Champagne Stakes (G1). During 2025, he captured both the Indiana Derby (G3) and the Smarty Jones Stakes (L), cementing his status as a high-level dirt performer.

“He will head to Dubai to compete during the Carnival. He’s a fast horse with sharp gate speed, lightly raced, and still has plenty of upside ahead of him,” Boman explained.

The bloodstock agent noted that he had been searching for a competitive dirt runner for some time and had specifically targeted this catalog.

“Americans are the world leaders in breeding dirt horses. Buyers from many countries come here looking for this exact profile. Acquiring horses of this caliber privately is never easy, so you have to capitalize when these opportunities arise,” he added.

Blandford Bloodstock also went to USD 260,000 to secure Governor Sam, a son of Improbable and a Grade 3 and five-time stakes winner who amassed nearly USD 1 million in earnings under the care of trainer George Weaver.

The session's second-highest price belonged to Tiztastic, a son of Tiz the Law and winner of the 2025 Louisiana Derby (G2), purchased by Winchell Thoroughbreds for USD 400,000.

The transaction carried a notable twist: Winchell already campaigned the colt in partnership with Coolmore-affiliated connections and used the auction to buy out the remaining shares and assume sole ownership.

Tiztastic, who earned over USD 1.8 million under trainer Steve Asmussen, will remain in training and return to Churchill Downs.

Another prominent name in the ring was Salamis, winner of the Hollywood Derby (G1), who commanded USD 350,000 from Fergus Galvin of Hunter Valley Farm.

Bred by Juddmonte, the son of Speightstown is a half-brother to multiple Grade 1 winner Segesta (Ghostzapper) and is expected to remain in the barn of trainer Chad Brown.

Among the fillies and mares, Midway Memories—a daughter of Cairo Prince and half-sister to Grade 1 winner Zandon (Upstart)—led the way, selling for USD 320,000 to Heartwood Farm.

The single-day auction concluded with 86 horses sold for gross receipts of USD 7,913,000, including post-sale private transactions. The average settled at USD 92,012, while the median reached USD 52,500—a 31 percent increase over 2025.

While total turnover dipped 27 percent, it reflected a smaller catalog of 136 horses compared to 216 a year earlier.

The standout figure of the session was a remarkable 99 percent clearance rate, with just a single offering failing to meet its reserve.

ELiTE led all consignors with 32 horses sold for USD 3.2 million, while Plus Investments emerged as the leading buyer with five acquisitions totaling USD 790,000.

“There is genuine demand for horses of racing age, and the clearance rate is a clear reflection of that appetite,” said Tony Lacy, Keeneland’s Vice President of Sales.

The auction house thus wrapped up its November sales activity with another clear display of market strength,particularly among buyers seeking ready-made runners.

Tip Top Thomas will now be tasked with carrying those expectations onto the dirt in Dubai, where he will aim to justify the investment and launch a promising new chapter in his career.