The penultimate session at Keeneland didn't produce a $100,000 horse Nov. 13, but it did continue the auction's runaway increases.
By the time the final hammer fell on Wednesday, the November auction had sold a total of 2,208 horses in nine days for a combined $194,313,100. That's 38.7% ahead of last year's gross for 2,006 horses, and 35.9% ahead of last year's total for the 11-day auction. The nine-day average, $88,004, is up 26% over last season at the same point, and the $40,000 median is 33.3% above last year's.
Buybacks also remain lower than last year's overall figure, slimming down from 23.6% to 14.9%.
Wednesday's session sold 271 horses for $3,998,100, up 39.2% from last year's day nine total for 254 horses. The session average climbed 30.5% to $14,753. The median was $10,500, up 50%.
Buybacks for the session dropped sharply from last year's 18.9% to 10.3%.
The top lot at Wednesday's session was the $92,000 Speightstown mare Surmount. That stakes-placed runner, in foal to the Harlan's Holiday horse Into Mischief , sold to Ian Banwell's St. George Stables (Dr. Oscar Benavides, agent). Kingswood Farm was the consignor and led all sellers by average price (three or more sold) with a three-horse average of $43,333.
Benavides, as agent for Banwell, was co-leading buyer by gross expenditures with two purchases totaling $115,000. The Cromwell Bloodstock agency also spent $115,000 for four horses. Cromwell also led by average purchase price (three or more bought) with a $28,750 average.
Wednesday's priciest weanling was an April 8 Mizzen Mast colt who went for $52,000 to Machmer Hall and Wynnstay Farm. Padraig Campion's Blandford Stud agency consigned the gray or roan colt, a son of the Wavering Monarch mare Despot. He's from the family of champion grass mare Soaring Softly and grade I winner Plenty of Grace.
The ninth session's leading consignor by gross was Adena Springs, which sold 43 horses Wednesday for $461,100.
Pensioned Cherokee Run was the best-selling sire by gross after three of his foals brought a combined $111,000. He also led by average sale price (three or more sold), with a $37,000 average.
The day's leading covering sire by gross sales was Adena Springs stallion Giacomo. His 14 in-foal mares tallied up $167,500. Claiborne Farm's Stroll led by average sale price (three or more sold) with three mares bringing an $18,000 average.
Keeneland's November breeding stock sale continues through Thursday, Nov. 14. The final session will begin at 10 a.m. in Keeneland's sale pavilion, which is adjacent to the racetrack.
