Gross From Middle Market Days Up 23.23%

The juggernaut that is the Keeneland September yearling sale continues to motor along at a high speed.

Perhaps the most striking figure so far is the 23.23% rise in gross expenditures from books three, four, and five (Saturday through Thursday) from last year's comparable sessions. This year, the total expenditures from those three "middle market days" were $99,472,200 compared to last year's total of $80,719,500.

The key figures from Thursday's session, day 10, are as follows:
--The gross of $8,067,800 for 287 horses sold was up 18.4% over the same session last year when 272 horses grossed $6,815,400.
--The average price of $28,111 represented a 12.2% increase over the 2004 average of $25,057.
--The median increased 8.1% to $20,000 from $18,500.
--The 71 yearlings not sold represented an RNA (reserve not attained) rate of 19.8%, down 14.7% from last year's rate of 23.2%.

Leading the way Thursday on day 10 of the sale was a Tiznow   filly purchased for $375,000 that is closely related to Folklore, the 14-length winner of the Sept. 17 Matron Stakes (gr. I) at Belmont Park. Folklore is by Tiznow, and her dam, Contrive (by Storm Cat), is a full sister to the yearling filly's dam, Queen's Lady. Ben Glass Jr. purchased the filly, the first foal from Queen's Lady, as agent for Gary and Mary West of Omaha, Neb. Paramount Sales consigned as agent.

"I picked her out with Jeff Kirk, who handles the Wests' horses in Florida," Glass said. "We both loved her. I like first foals and Storm Cat mares. She was a tremendous walker, and I liked everything about her family. We had her pinned at $350,000. But Gary, who flew home before she sold, used to tell me don't let an extra bid or two stand in the way of getting them if you want them."

Ironically, Folklore's half-brother by Orientate   sold the first day of sale, Sept. 12, and brought a final bid of $185,000 from Mike Ryan, agent. Taylor Made Sales Agency consigned as agent.

Tiznow, a Horse of the Year and the sole two-time winner of the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), stands at WinStar Farm near Versailles, Ky,, for Taylor Made/WinStar Venture. His 2005 fee was $30,000.

The Wests had a big reason to cheer later on that Thursday. A colt by their stallion Buddha commanded the next-highest price that day, $275,000. Consigned by Glennwood Farm, agent, the colt is out of the Red Ransom mare Dawn Ransom and was bought by Tony Holmes, agent. Winner of the Wood Memorial Stakes (gr. I), Buddha stands at John Sikura's Hill 'n' Dale Farms near Lexington. His 2005 fee was $15,000.

The cumulative numbers through the 10 sessions are:
--2,640 horses have sold, up 3.7% from last year when 2,546 head were purchased.
--The gross of $371,287,200 is up 18.8% over the $312,462,500 at the same point a year ago.
--The average price of $140,639 represents a gain of 14.6% over the $122,727 average in 2004.
--The median price of $60,000 is up 9% from $55,000 last year.
--The cumulative RNA rate is 22% for the 743 horses not sold, down 6.8% from last year's rate of 23.6%.

The sale continues at 10 a.m. daily through Monday, Sept. 26. Hip-by-hip results from Keeneland