Book three of the Keeneland September yearling sale opened Sept. 19 and showed gains over last year’s corresponding session. Because of a change in format of this year’s sale, the beginning of book three, representing the seventh overall session, is the first one to correspond to previous sales’ numbers.
Keeneland sold 284 horses Sept. 19 for a gross of $16,636,500, up significantly from the $11,091,800 grossed by 277 head sold a year ago. This year’s session brought an average price of $58,579, nearly 30% up over the $40,043 average in 2009. This year’s median of $50,000 almost doubled last year’s $27,000.
The session was led by a Malibu Moon colt that was hammered down to Nicoma, as agent for Marc Keller, for $300,000. The session-topper was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent for Lucy Bassett’s Lanark Farm. The colt is out of the Out of Place mare Meditations, a winner of the Three Ring Stakes at Calder, and is from the family of French 2-year-old filly champion Hippodamia, English group winner Wonder Dancer, multiple graded stakes winner Regal Thunder, and graded winner Lindon Lime.
The sale reached the midpoint of its 14-day run having sold 1,225 horses for $158,624,000 for an average of $129,489 and a median of $80,000. Last year, after seven sessions, the sale had taken in $162,033,800 from 1,473 horses sold.
The second-highest price in the Sept. 19 session was brought by an Afleet Alex colt out of the stakes-placed Kris S. mare Andover Lady. Mr. and Mrs. Marc Ferrell went to $290,000 for the colt, which was consigned by Three Chimneys Sales, agent.
The September sale continues through Sept. 26 with daily sessions beginning at 10 a.m. ET.