Keeneland Sale Trickles Down, Key Figures Are Up

The Keeneland September yearling sale kept rocking along Monday as the trickle-down theory associated with the lengthy auction continued to be proven right on target.

Buyers unable to purchase early in the 14-day auction remain longer to fill orders, making subsequent sessions stronger. As a result, the second Monday of the sale saw the gross up 11.6%, the average jump 14.4%, and the median, which often is the most meaningful number, increase 17%.

During the sale's seventh session, 284 yearlings were sold for $19,377,000, an average of $68,299 and a median of $55,000. At the corresponding session last year, 291 horses were auctioned for $17,362,500, an average of $59,665 and a median of $47,000.

The top price Monday was $500,000 paid by Jess Jackson's Stonestreet for a colt from the first crop by Sunday Break, a Japanese-bred son of Forty Niner. Consigned as agent by Peter O'Callaghan's Woods Edge Farm, the colt is out of the Storm Boot mare Reigning Princess. The second dam is Puerto Rican champion Princess S.

The session-topper was bred in Kentucky by John Weld.

The second highest price Monday was $400,000 paid by Mike Aker's Dapple Bloodstock for a colt from the first crop by Mr. Greeley's son WhyWhyWhy  . He is the first foal produced from the Southern Halo mare Contessa Halo.

The colt, consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, was bred in Kentucky by Hedberg Hall and purchased at the 2006 Keeneland January sale by Bob Knight III for $60,000.

Through seven sessions, Keeneland has sold 1,729 yearlings for $349,955,500, an average of $202,403 and a median of $100,000. A year ago, 1,775 had been sold for $339,659,000, an average of $191,357 and a median of $95,000.

The sale continues with daily 10 a.m. sessions through Sept. 25.