(Edited Keeneland press release)An internationally broad base of buyers spent a near-record $313,843,800 for 3,147 lots during the Keeneland November breeding stock sale, which concluded Sunday. The gross receipts for the 14-day sale increased 8.4% from last year's 12-day sale total of $289,606,400. This year's total ranks as the second-highest for November, falling just short of the record $317,666,000 set in 1999.
Average price for the sale of $99,728 dipped 2.9% from $102,734 in 2005, while the median of $35,000 remained unchanged from last year. The above figures for 2006 include a season to the stallion
Afleet Alex that sold for $45.000.
Twenty-seven horses topped the million-dollar mark, selling for a total of $56.7 million, compared to last year when 26 million-dollar horses grossed $54.9 million. The top tier of the November Sale market was highlighted by Keeneland sale record prices of $6.1 million for a horse in training--Half Hours--and $2.4 million for a weanling filly-- a daughter of
Gone West. Grade I winner Madcap Escapade (in foal to
Pulpit) and her dam, Sassy Pants (in foal to
Storm Cat>/sr>), sold for $6 million and $4.5 million, respectively. In addition, a son of Montjeu established a North American record auction price of $2.7 million for a weanling colt."It's been an amazing two weeks," said Geoffrey Russell, Keeneland's director of sales. "We've seen major increases at all levels of the market. The strongest segment continues to be the middle market, which saw impressive gains in November."Buyers and consignors have repeatedly used the word 'fantastic' to describe the sale, and I have to echo those sentiments. We are most appreciative of our longstanding, loyal consignors for the quality of their offerings."Keeneland hosted buyers from 33 countries representing six continents – North America (including Canada, Central America and the Caribbean), South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa."This calendar year, Keeneland's gross sales have successfully totaled more than $800 million, due in large part to the hard work and loyalty of our consignors," Russell said. "We look forward to that momentum carrying forward into next year, beginning with the January horses of all ages Sale (beginning) on January 8."For the fifth consecutive year, Taylor Made Sales Agency led the November sale consignor's list, selling 321 horses for $51,558,100. On Sunday, during the sale's final session, Keeneland sold 125 horses for a gross of $1,053,600, an average of $8,429, and a median of $5,200. There was no comparable session last year. A weanling filly by Cashel Castle out of the Caller I.D. mare Line Shot brought the top price, selling for $53,000 to Thomas W. Meharry. The filly was consigned by TimberView Sales.Leading Buyers, Consignors, and Sires: All Sessions
