Keeneland September Yearling Sale Exceeds 2021 Gross with Five Sessions Remaining

The Keeneland September Yearling Sale ended its seventh of 12 sessions on Monday with cumulative sales of $355 million, surpassing total sales of $352 million recorded for last year’s entire 11-day auction. 

The session was headlined by the sale of a colt by Candy Ride (ARG) from the family of Grade 1 winner McKinzie for $600,000 to Talla Racing, Kim Lloyd, agent. 

A total of 314 yearlings sold through the ring on Monday for $27,544,000, for an average of $87,720 and a median of $67,500. The total is slightly above the $27,330,000 from the corresponding session in 2021 when 319 horses sold. The average is up 2.39 percent from $85,674 in 2021, and the median is 12.50 percent above last year’s $60,000.

The bullish market showed no sign of slowing as Monday marked the seventh consecutive day of increases. Cumulatively, Keeneland has sold 1,556 yearlings through the ring for $355,453,500, a 16.08 gain from the $306,213,000 for 1,488 horses sold through the ring during seven sessions last year. The average of $228,441 rose 11.01 percent from $205,788 last year. The median is up 6.67 percent from $150,000 to $160,000.  

Elm Tree Farm (Mr. and Mrs. Jody Huckabay), agent for Stonestreet Bred & Raised, consigned Monday’s high seller. Out of the Maclean’s Music mare Essentially, the colt also is from the family of Grade 2 winner Runway Model and Grade 3 winners Sea Ditty, Saham and Southern Honey.

Donato Lanni, agent for SF/Starlight/Madaket, paid $485,000 for a colt by Arrogate consigned by Lane’s End, agent. The colt is from the family of Grade 1 winners Secret Status and Dunbar Road as well as Grade 2 winner Private Mission, Grade 3 winner Alumni Hall and Belmont (G1) runner-up Dunkirk. The colt is out of the Courageous Cat mare Secret Ballot.

At $425,000, a colt by Take Charge Indy sold to Maverick Racing and Siena Farm. Out of the Ghostzapper mare Dynamic Doll, he is from the family of Grade 3 winners Lawn Ranger and Georgie’s Angel. The colt was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent.

Maverick Racing and Siena Farm led all buyers by spending $825,000 for three horses.

Justin Casse, agent, went to $410,000 to acquire a colt by Not This Time who is a half-brother to Grade 2 winner Du Jour. Consigned by Woods Edge Farm (Peter O’Callaghan), agent, the colt is out of the Bernardini mare Guiltless and from the family of Grade 1 winners and sires Ghostzapper and City Zip. 

Mike Ryan, agent, paid $400,000 for a colt by Omaha Beach. Consigned by Hartwell Farm, agent, he is out of the winning Awesome Again mare Satisfaction and a half-brother to Grade 2-placed Tuggle and stakes-placed Miss Yearwood. The colt is also from the family of champion Heavenly Prize and Grade 1 winners Dancing Forever, Dancing Spree and Instilled Regard. 

The top consignor was Eaton Sales with sales of $2.85 million for 30 horses.