With two days remaining, the Keeneland Yearling Sale passes the $320 million mark.
The world's biggest Thoroughbred auction got even bigger Saturday as the record-setting gross for the Keeneland September yearling sale grew to $321,224,800 during the 12th session. With only two days remaining, a total of 3,034 horses have been sold for an average price of $105,875 and a median price of $45,000. The figures for last year's entire auction, which ended with session 12, were 2,969 horses sold for a gross of $274,125,300, an average of $92,329, and a median of $34,000."We've got one more book (in the catalogue) to go, and there are still people here wanting to buy horses," said Geoffrey Russell, Keeneland's director of sales. "We hope we will run out of horses before we run out of money."The results for session 12 of the Central Kentucky auction were 215 horses sold for a gross of $2,979,100, an average of $13,856, and a median of $8,000. During the corresponding session last year, the 173 horses sold grossed $1,349,100 and averaged $7,798. The median was $5,000.The day's top-priced yearling was a $170,000 colt from the first crop of grade I winner Trippi. Consigned by Susan Forrester, agent, the colt was purchased by William Currin in the name of Oak Tree Farm. The gray or roan yearling is the first foal out of the unraced Open Forum mare Gal's Forum, who is a half-sister to grade II winner Valid Wager. The mare also is a half-sister to added-money winner and stakes producer Copelan's Bid Gal. Other family members include Miss Bold Appeal, the dam of grade I winner Jersey Girl and Australian group III winner St Petersburg.The buy-back rate for the 12th session alone was 21.8%. The rate this year for all 12 sessions combined was 23.0%.The sale continues Sunday, with the session beginning at 10 a.m. (EDT), and concludes on Monday.Results, leading buyer, leading consignor, leading sire lists from Keeneland
