American buyers were an active presence at Friday's session of Keeneland's November Breeding Stock Sale, contributing to strong increases across the board."Domestic buyers were very strong today, though we continue to see Japanese, Korean, South American and European representation," said Geoffrey Russell, Keeneland's director of sales. "The middle market continues to demonstrate great strength." Keeneland sold 263 horses for $22,575,500, for an average of $85,838 and a median of $65,000. Those results represented a 26.2% increase in gross sales, an 18.5% rise in average, and an 8.3% increase in median price over 2005. During the corresponding session last year, 247 horses brought $17,889,200, for an average of $72,426 and a median of $60,000.
After five days of the 14-day auction, Keeneland has sold 1,136 horses for gross receipts of $248,553,500, up 2.3% over last year when 1,131 horses had been sold for $242,887,400. Average price for the sale is up 1.9% to $218,797 as compared to $214,755 reported last year. The median price of $130,000 rose 18.2% over $110,000 in 2005. Quad's Melody (Ire), a 7-year-old mare by Spinning World in foal to Action This Day, brought the session's top price of $450,000 from agent Cecil Seaman. Winner of the Prix d'Aumale (Fr-III), Quad's Melody is a half sister to the stakes winners Bonapartiste (Fr), Go Got and Sablier Noir. She was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency.Keeneland's November Breeding Stock Sale runs through Nov. 19. Sessions begin at 10 a.m. each day.