The Keeneland September yearling sale presented a stable market that made its own gains over last year’s performance and kept the entire sale on track to beat its overall 2013 median and average prices.
Thursday’s 10th of 13 sessions grossed $9,376,000 for 276 yearlings, a 3.7% increase over last year’s total for a larger number, 291. Average escalated by 9.4%, from last year’s $31,060 to $33,971, while median ended level with last year’s figure at $25,000.
But buybacks jumped from last year’s 14.4% to 20.2%.
Through Thursday, the sale so far has sold 2,153 yearlings in 10 sessions for a combined $268,795,000. That’s down a hair, by 1.7%, from last year’s gross sales for 2,313 yearlings, an indication of the market’s continuing strength. The cumulative average of $124,847 and the median of $72,000, meanwhile, are up by 5.6% and 10.8%, respectively, from last year’s $118,234 average and $65,000 median.
The cumulative buyback rate, like the session rate, went up but less sharply, climbing from 21.2% at the same point a year ago to 23.1%.
Thursday’s session-topper, and the only yearling to hit the $200,000 mark, was the Betz Thoroughbreds agency’s colt by Midshipman out of Aspen Whisper. Midwest Thoroughbreds was the buyer.
Midshipman has his first runners this year and was Thursday’s leading sire by average (three or more sold) after his trio of yearlings averaged $93,333. Aspen Whisper, an unraced Mr. Greeley mare, is a half sister to stakes winner Golden Sunray and the second dam of stakes performer What About Mary. This is the family that produced 2009 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner Mine That Bird.
Consignor Betz Thoroughbreds was the leading seller by average (three or more sold) after its five yearlings sold went for an average price of $72,800. Warrendale Sales agency ended the day on top of the consignors’ rankings by total sales with 25 yearlings totaling $949,500.
Midwest Thoroughbreds was the leading buyer by average overall with their single, session-topping purchase, but it was Carl R. Moore Management LLC that led by average (three or more purchased) and gross after picking up three yearlings who averaged $75,667 and together cost $227,000.
Haynesfield was the 10th session’s top sire by gross ales: nine of his yearlings fetched $314,000 total, just edging out Twirling Candy , whose seven brought $310,000.
The Keeneland September yearling sale continues through Sept. 21 at the Keeneland sale pavilion in Lexington. Sessions begin each day at 10 a.m.
