Session posts $79.6 million in sales while 23 horses bring $1 million or more

Keeneland’s September Yearling Sale of premier Thoroughbred racing prospects continued to have an electric atmosphere during Tuesday’s second session as a colt by Into Mischief sold for $3.7 million to M.V. Magnier and Peter Brant’s White Birch Farm to become the most expensive horse of the sale. Meanwhile, total through-the-ring sales reached $79.6 million, while 23 yearlings sold for $1 million or more to set a single-session record for the September Sale and increase the total number of seven-figure horses at this year’s auction to 41 — the most for the first two days of the sale in history. 

On Tuesday, the final day of the prestigious Book 1, Keeneland sold 111 yearlings through the ring for $79,630,000, up 6.25% from the second session last year when 111 horses brought $74,945,000.  The average of $717,387 rose 6.25% over last year’s $675,180, and the median of $550,000 equaled the figure from the corresponding session in 2025.

Cumulatively, 208 horses have grossed $151.4 million, an increase of 5% from last year’s $144,185,000 for 217 horses sold. The average of $727,885 rose 9.55% from $664,447 in 2025, while the median of $600,000 is 9.09% above $550,000 last year.

“It was a great day,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “Lots of energy carried through with great participation internationally and domestically. The prices held and better. The gross was up 5%. Median, average — both up about 9%. The RNA rate was a little higher; it ticked up higher than we would like it to, so we’d like to see that continue to go down. That means we may have some sellers excited to keep their stock, and we may have some sellers disappointed that they didn’t find a spot in the market. We definitely are paying close attention to that.”

“We saw some selectivity in the market,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said, “and are keeping a close eye on that. Overall we’re very pleased with the numbers. To see us surpass last year in most metrics is really, really encouraging. They’re sustainable increases, which I think is more encouraging. We’re not on a sugar high, and we’re very much on a solid trajectory.

“I think watching the young stallions like Elite Power and Cody’s Wish getting well rewarded today was wonderful to see,” Lacy continued. “They and many others have a great crop of young produce out there, so that sets the stage for them. Early Voting did very well today. Watching Tanya Gunther be really emotional was the essence of a good day. Others like Runnymede, Gainesway and Taylor Made had a great day. Resolute Racing is selling for the first time with us, which is wonderful.”

Tuesday’s $3.7 million colt is a half-brother to Grade 1 winner and sire Mo Town as well as stakes winner and Grade 2-placed Justique. From the family of Grade 3 winner Molta Vita, he was consigned by Glennwood Farm, agent.

“He was just a big, strong colt, tremendous walk and a great presence on him,” Glennwood’s John Gunther said. “Everybody loved this one. I wanted to stay in, of course, but that’s not going to happen on this one.

“He’s in good hands now,” Gunther added, “and they mentioned that he’s going to stay in the U.S., so that makes me feel really good, as well.”

In other sales of top-priced yearlings on Tuesday,

AMO Racing USA paid $3.1 million for a Gun Runner colt who is a full brother to Grade 1 winner Locked. Consigned by Eaton Sales, agent, he is out of the winning Malibu Moon mare Luna Rosa and from the family of Grade 1 winner Gabby’s Golden Gal and Grade 2 winner Always a Princess.

“We loved him from the get-go,” Ben McElroy, who signed the ticket, said. “Obviously by a sensational sire. His full brother is at stud so we are hoping for the same result. This horse made a ton of sense (to buy).” 

“He is an absolute specimen of a horse,” Reiley McDonald of Eaton Sales said. “I don’t know if I have ever seen a better Gun Runner. He has a fluid, strong, easy stride and a great mind.”

“This is an incredible market on the high end,” McDonald added. “It has been unbelievable at the top. When you have this many horses going for seven figures, it creates a lot of atmosphere. Everybody is looking and everyone is saying ‘who’s that?’ That creates a lot of excitement. It has been a fun couple of days.”

Flying Dutchmen spent $2.6 million on a colt by Flightline who is a full brother to the 2-year-old Saratoga performer Powerline. Lane’s End, agent for Summer Wind Equine, consigned the colt, who is out of stakes winner Park Avenue, by Quality Road. He is from the family of Irish highweight Tomahawk, Grade 1 winners Golden Ticket, Well Chosen and Telling; Grade 2 winners Academy Award, Magical Feeling and Imagination; Grade 3 winners Statuette, Occult, In Contention and Multiple Choice.

Flying Dutchmen acquired five horses for $6 million to lead buyers during the session.

Two yearlings sold for $1.95 million apiece.

Mandy Pope’s Whisper Hill Farm paid the amount to acquire a filly by Curlin who is a half-sister to Grade 1 winner and sire Mind Control. Consigned by Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales Agency, agent, she is out of stakes winner Feel That Fire, by Lightnin N Thunder, and from the family of stakes winners Wendelssohn, Miss Fleetfoot, King for a Day and Ima Jersey Girl.

A colt by Justify who is a half-brother to Grade 1 winner Saudi Crown sold for $1.95 million to Mayberry Farm. Out of the Tapit mare New Narration, he is from the family of Grade 1 winner Noble’s Promise; Grade 2 winner New Economy; and Grade 3 winners New Normal and Wings of Grace. The colt was consigned by Lane’s End, agent for Summer Wind Equine.

Two yearlings brought $1.6 million each.

Douglas Scharbauer spent the amount on a colt by Good Magic who is a half-brother to Grade 1 winner Kingsbarns. Consigned by Gainesway, agent, he is out of the winning Grade 3-placed Tapit mare Lady Tapit and from the family of Grade 1 winners Gozzip Girl and Brocco.

For $1.6 million, RTM Racing and Whisper Hill Farm acquired a colt by Nyquist from the family of Grade 1 winners Cavorting and Clairiere along with Grade 2 winner Promenade Girl and Moon Colony. Out of Liam’s Promenade, by Liam’s Map, he was consigned by Denali Stud, agent.

A filly by Gun Runner who is a half-sister to 2026 stakes winner Waggley and stakes winner Henry Q sold to Lael Stable for $1.55 million. Consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent, she is out of the winning Malibu Moon mare Lunar Empress.

Taylor Made Sales Agency sold 24 yearlings for $16.03 million to lead consignors during the session.

Two yearlings sold for $1.5 million each.

Mitsu Nakauchida purchased a colt by Into Mischief consigned by Runnymede Farm, agent, for the amount. The first foal out of the winning Tapit mare Illiogami, he is from the family of English highweight Odeliz (IRE) and Grade 1 winner Amorama (FR).

A colt by Into Mischief who is the first foal out of champion Goodnight Olive, by Ghostzapper, sold for $1.5 million to the partnership of St. Elias, West Point, Lane’s End Racing and Belladonna. He was consigned by Gainesway, agent. 

The colt was bred by Resolute Bloodstock.

“Being from Kentucky, growing up in the horse industry, it is really cool to see one you bred and raised on the farm going full circle through the ring and know he is going to great connections,” Resolute Bloodstock CEO Chelsea Stewart said. “And (special) to be here at Keeneland – our home track.” 

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Book 2 of the September Sale begins Wednesday at 11 a.m. ET. The auction is streamed live at Keeneland.com.