Forte strikes early at Keeneland January sale with $285,000 colt

First-Crop sire Forte got off to a stellar start at the Keeneland January sale when a yearling by the Spendthrift sire and 2-year-old champion brought a winning bid of $285,000.

From the Vinery Sales, agent, consignment, hip No. 11 went to Golden Star Farm.

Bred in Kentucky by Endswell, the bay colt is out of the Malibu Moon mare Appealing Audrey, who has had two foals to race, both winners.

Appealing Audrey is a full sister Fair Grounds S. (G3) Captivating Moon, a half-sister to QEII Challenge Cup (G1) winner Vacare, graded stakes winners Abtaal and Single Solution and stakes winner Nobody’s Fault.

Forte, who was a three-time Grade 1 winner at 2, is the first 2-year-old champion to retire to Spendthrift in four decades. In his first two books, he covered a total of 350 mares. His fee for 2026 is $35,000 S&N.