Nyquist colt brings $1.2 million

The Keeneland September Yearling Sale closed Book 3 Sunday with $50,852,000 in through-the-ring sales to mark a 5.54% increase from the comparable session last year. Topping the day was a son of Nyquist sold for $1.2 million to the session’s leading buyer, Donato Lanni, agent for FRC/Starlight/Madaket. On behalf of the group, Lanni purchased a total of five horses for $3,060,000.

Today’s gross for the sixth day of the September Sale for 262 horses was 5.54% higher than last year’s total of $48,184,000 for 267 horses. The average of $194,092 increased 7.55% from $180,464 in 2025, while the median of $150,000 equaled the figure last year.

Since the September Sale began Sept. 14, Keeneland has sold 1,150 horses through the ring for $430,039,000, for an average of $373,947 and a median of $275,000. The gross is 2.97% above the same period last year, when 1,216 yearlings brought $417,622,000. The average has risen 8.88% compared to $343,439 from 2025, while the median is 10% higher than last year’s $250,000. 

Seventy yearlings have sold for $1 million or more in 2026 compared to 56 last year.

Sunday’s highest priced yearling was consigned by Four Star Sales, agent, which led sellers during the session with 22 horses that brought $4,815,000. The colt is out of stakes winner Alexandria, by Constitution, and from the family of Group 1 winner Wandack and Group 3 winner Barefoot Angel.

“The horse landed fair and squarely,” Tom Ryan of FRC said. “Obviously by a stallion everybody now respects inNyquist. You’re giving yourself a chance at creating a potential Kentucky sire down the road if he lives up to our expectations.”

“It doesn’t really matter what book they come out of if they’re fast enough, right?” Ryan added. “It’s a matter of having the patience and the team to identify them. I remember we bought a Kentucky Derby (G1) winner as Hip 2616 many years ago (Authentic, which SF Bloodstock/Starlight West purchased for $350,000 at the 2018 September Sale). We’re a long way away from that still.” 

In other top sales during the session,

Four Star Sales, agent, also consigned a $900,000 colt by Maxfield sold to CHC Inc., Maverick Racing and Light Post Ventures. Out of the winning Caleb’s Posse mare Posse Needed, he is from the family of Grade 2 winner Dark Cove as well as Grade 3 winners Better Now and River Squall.

Nyquist sired a colt sold for $825,000 to Pin Oak Stud. Out of the First Samurai mare Dilly, he is from the family of Group 1 winner Lunar Fox; Grade 2 winner Boston Common; and Grade 3 winner Storm Surge and Blacksburg. He was consigned by Stone Farm.

At $800,000, Pin Oak Stud also acquired a colt by Liam’s Map. Out of the Bernardini mare Kalon, he is from the family of Grade 1 winners Gabby’s Golden Gal and Locked along with Grade 2 winner Always a Princess. The colt was consigned by Trackside Farm (Tom Evans), agent.

Kenneth McPeek, agent for Dream Big Racing spent $775,000 on a colt by Golden Pal consigned by St George Sales, agent. Out of Hindsight, a winning daughter of Pioneerof the Nile, he is from the family of Grade 3 winners Devious Intent, Lech and Savina.

Gold Square paid $700,000 for a colt from the first crop of Grade 1 winner Gunite. His dam is the First Samurai mare Brand New Game, a half-sister to Canadian Horse of the Year Arravale. Consigned by Killora, agent, the colt also is from the family of Group 2 winner Solid Stone and Group 3 winner Zachariah.

Grovendale Sales, agent, consigned a colt from the first crop of Grade 1 winner Taiba sold to Donato Lanni, agent for FRC/Starlight/Madaket, for $625,000. Out of Sunriser, a winning daughter of City Zip, he is from the family of Grade 3 winners Scoop, Looking Cool, Til Forbid and Hold Old Blue.

Kimmel/Sallusto, agent for Flanagan Racing, spent $600,000 to acquire a colt by Maxfield consigned by Paramount Sales, agent. Out of Jumby, by Ghostzapper, he is from the family of Grade 3 winner Annie Cake and stakes winner Crabcakes.

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The September Sale continues Monday at 10 a.m. ET and runs each day through Saturday, Sept. 26. The auction is livestreamed at Keeneland.com.