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Sale Yearlings By 1st-Year Sires Lose Appeal

Buyers at the Keeneland September yearling sale prefer the offspring of proven stallions.

What's Going On Here: Fair-to-Good

Changes to Keeneland's September yearling sale aside, it's hard to get a good angle on the yearling market as the first week of the auction went into the books. Has it been a good sale to this point, or a bad one?

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Keeneland September: Reviewing Week One

Buyers and consignors discuss the market and the new format.

Foreign Influences Felt at Keeneland

Every year, the Keeneland September yearling sale is saturated with foreign buyers wishing to add some prominent North American bloodlines to their respective racing industries, and this year's auction has been no exception.

Malibu Moon Colt Brings $300,000 Sept. 19

During the seventh session of Keeneland's Sept. yearling sale, prices were stronger than the corresponding session of 2009

Russell: Market at September Sale Heartening

The average price and median price were up 19.6% and 25%, respectively, through the first six sessions.

September Sale a Smart Strike Extravaganza

Two of the stallion's progeny bring $550,000 apiece during the Keeneland auction's fifth session.

Mine That Bird's Brother Sells for $250,000

A half brother to Mine That Bird was bought for $250,000 by Jerry Crawford, manager of Donegal Racing, at Keeneland Sept. 16. He was consigned by Bona Terra Stud, agent for Halecky and Needham.

Smart Strike Filly Brings $550,000

A Smart Strike filly, the second yearling of the day to bring $550,000 was bought by investment manager George Bolton from Gainesway, agent for Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings.

Buyers, Sellers React to Book Two Format

Following the first few days of Book Two horses being offered under a new format at the Keeneland September yearling sale, buyers and consignors had a chance to reflect on the positives and negatives of the change.

$550,000 Smart Strike Colt Leads Session

A $550,000 Smart Strike colt fetched $550,000 during the Sept. 16 session of the Keeneland September yearling sale. Bought by Bradley Weisbord, for Ahmed Zayat's Zayat Stables, he was consigned by Gainesway, agent.

Sheikh Hamdan Seeking Grass Runners at Sale

And he's finding plenty of prospects, according to his adviser, Rick Nichols, even though some European shoppers say European turf potential is lacking in pedigrees.

Sept. Sale's Cumulative Average, Median Up

The cumulative average price of $181,131 and median price of $120,000 are ahead of last year's pace by 8.2% and 9.1%, respectively.

Catching up With Ron McAnally

Trainer Ron McAnally, who is selling a couple horses in book two at the Keeneland September yearling sale, is still basking in the victory of Eclair de Lune in the Aug. 21 Beverly D. (gr. IT).

Malibu Moon Filly Brings $700,000

A Dynaformer colt and a filly by hot sire Malibu Moon fetched $500,000 and $700,000, respectively. The Dynaformer colt was consigned by Mill Ridge Sales, agent, while the Malibu Moon filly was sold by Elm Tree Farm.

Giant's Causeway Filly Bought for $475,000

Whisper Hill Farm paid $475,000 for a Giant's Causeway filly during the morning of the Sept. 15 session of the Keeneland September yearling sale. The filly was consigned by Woodford Thoroughbreds, agent for Cloverleaf Farms.

$1 Million Smart Strike Ridgling Tops Session

A bay ridgling by Smart Strike commanded a seven-figure price during the Sept. 14 session of the Keeneland September yearling sale when he was bought for $1 million by George Bolton.

Slam Dunk: Shultz Sells $1 Million Yearling

The Smart Strike ridgling stars in the Keeneland September sale's third session for his breeder, who was a member of an NCAA Division I championship basketball team.

A Day in My Life at Keeneland September

A behind-the-scenes look at a day-in-the-life of a reporter at the Keeneland September yearling sale.

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End of the Storm Cat Era is 'Anti-Climactic'

For Ric Waldman, the bloodstock adviser who managed most of Storm Cat's breeding career, the sale of the stallion's last yearling was another in a series of finalities relating to Storm Cat.

New Sale Format Popular; Some Changes Likely

Consignors and buyers support the new format change for the Keeneland September yearling sale, but say its success will have to be weighed in view of the entire sale.

Smart Strike Ridgling Commands $1 Million

A bay ridgling by Smart Strike was bought for $1,000,000 by George Bolton at the Sept. 14 session of the Keeneland September yearling sale from Greenfield Farm for B.D. Gibbs Farm, agent.

Stormy Atlantic Colt Highest Price So Far

A Stormy Atlantic colt was acquired for $500,000 by Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert during the Sept. 14 session of the Keeneland September yearling sale. He was consigned by Dromoland Farm, agent.

Keeneland Select Sessions 'Surprisingly Good'

A Distorted Humor colt brings $2.05 million during the second and final select session.

A.P. Indy Filly RNAs for $1,250,000

An A.P. Indy filly failed to meet her reserve when the bidding stopped at $1,250,000 during the Sept. 13 select session of the Keeneland September yearling sale. She was bought back by her consignor/breeder, Mt. Brilliant.

Lunsford Buys Out Sikura in A.P. Indy Filly

A daughter of A.P. Indy out of millionaire Madcap Escapade was bought for $900,000 by breeder Bruce Lunsford from Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency, agent, at the Sept. 13 select session of the Keeneland September yearling sale.

Distorted Humor Colt Bought for $900,000

A $900,000 Distorted Humor colt was the second offspring by that sire to bring a significant price at the Keeneland September yearling sale Sept. 13. He was consigned by Gainesway, agent for Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings.

Last Storm Cat Sale Offspring Brings $285,000

The last Storm Cat offspring to ever sell at auction brought $285,000 at the Sept. 13 session of the Keeneland September yearling sale. She was bought by Chiefswood Stables from Denali Stud, agent.

Keeneland Chatter: Buyers, Consignors Upbeat

Buyers and consignors, for most part, like the new format for the select sessions.

Keeneland September Sale Starts With a Bang

Keeneland officials, who said they changed the September yearling sale's format in an effort to add excitement to the auction, got exactly what they wanted Sept. 12 in Lexington.

Wiggins Enjoying New Role With Legacy

Hal Wiggins, former trainer of champion Rachel Alexandra, is enjoying his first year of purchasing horses for the clients of Legacy Bloodstock.

Runnymede's Success Perfectly Timed for Sale

Catesby Clay's Runnymede Farm near Paris, Ky., has enjoyed a string of successes that could not have been more perfectly timed.

Keeneland Session Two: More Hot Prospects

Here is a list of horses that consignors and buyers believe could bring expensive prices during the Sept. 13 second session of the Keeneland September yearling sale in Lexington.

Storm Cat Progeny Make September Sale Special

The Keeneland September yearling sale's select sessions will be memorable because two of the last three foals sired by the great stallion Storm Cat are scheduled to be offered.

There's Plenty to Talk About at Sept. Sale

Read what buyers and consignors had to say before the auction started in Lexington.

Keeneland Session One: Sizzling Prospects

Here is a list of horses that consignors and buyers believe could bring expensive prices during the Sept. 12 opening session of the Keeneland September yearling sale in Lexington.

Top of September Market Could Be Challenging

Falling prices at boutique sales in France and Saratoga suggest the prices for fancy horses in Keeneland's select sessions will be more vulnerable this year.

Panel Discussion Set on Aftercare of Horses

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance has announced it will hold an NTRA Professional Education Seminar at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington on Oct. 19.

Through The Lens: I'll Take the Blame

Anne Eberhardt checks up on Blame, back at Keeneland after his busy summmer.

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Phippses Selling Some Mares at Keeneland

Ogden Mills (Dinny) Phipps, patriarch of one of North America's most distinguished Thoroughbred racing families, announced Sept. 9 that Phipps Stable will offer a select number of its mares during Keeneland's November sale.

Brothers Gives Keeneland Trainer's Viewpoint

As a member of the auction firm's inspection team, he helped Keeneland select which horses would be showcased during the September yearling sale.

Keeping Our Place in the World

Keeneland has successfully developed the September sale into the largest international marketplace for Thoroughbred yearlings. But will the sale continue offering the kinds of horses European buyers want?

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Keeneland VP Wilkinson Announces Retirement

Saying the "timing was right" for the change, he plans to pursue other interests such as teaching and consulting.

Experiment With Fewer Dates Continues in KY

Another experimental year continues in Kentucky as Ellis Park wraps up its summer meet and Turfway Park prepares for a scaled-down session with only one stakes.

Multimedia Coverage Set for September Sale

Live coverage of the auction's first two sessions can be seen on HRTV.

What's Going On Here: Pins and Needles

Once we can find the glass, we'd like to see it as half full heading into Keeneland's September yearling sale.

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Blanton Leaving Keeneland for University

Jay Blanton, director of marketing and communications for Keeneland, will leave in mid-September to take a job in public relations at the University of Kentucky.

Some Real Dirt

One thing we do know is the synthetic surface installed at Santa Anita has been a mess from the start and has seen more facelifts than Joan Rivers.

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Keeneland Revenue Declines Will Affect Giving

Steps being taken by the Keeneland Association to cut expenses, such as the current effort to have some employees accept buyouts, will also affect the organization's support of charities.

Keeneland Feeling Squeeze; Offers Buyouts

Keeneland has offered buyouts to some of its employees in the wake of a financial crunch brought about by a number of factors.