Yearling sale horse with Keeneland grandstand in the background.
After rolling past its previous all-time cumulative mark for gross on Tuesday, the Keeneland September yearling sale sailed on Wednesday with another solid session.Wednesday was the ninth session of the lengthy sale, which continues with daily sessions through Monday, Sept. 27.On Wednesday, the session ended just before 7 p.m. after 286 yearlings had been sold for $8,230,700. The average was $28,779 and the median was $23,000. There were 67 horses listed as not sold and another 41 were withdrawn prior to the start of the session.During the corresponding session a year ago, 277 horses were sold for $7,515,800, an average of $27,133 and a median of $18,000.As evidence of how strong the market remains at Keeneland, the median was up 27.7%. The gross was an increase of 9.5% while the average was up 6%.Through nine sessions, there have been 2,274 yearlings sold for $305,647,000, an average of $134,409 and a median of $65,000. In 2003 at this point, 2,281 had been sold for $264,796,800, an average of $116,088 and a median of $50,000.There were nine yearlings sold on Wednesday for $100,000 or more. Of that group, eight were colts, but the lone filly was the day's session-topper. For $180,000, Cam Allard purchased a filly by the leading freshman sire of 2004, Successful Appeal . Consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency as agent for Classic Oaks Farm, the Florida-bred filly is the second foal produced from the winning Future Storm mare Loni Girl.Loni Girl is a half-sister to stakes winner Sangam (by Majestic Light) and also a half-sister to the dam of 2004 stakes winner Frenchglen (by Forestry).The highest price for a colt sold on Wednesday was $140,000 for an El Corredor yearling sold by Equest Thoroughbreds. He was purchased by Rodolfo Garcia. Out of the winning Slew o' Gold mare No More Ironing, the colt is a half-brother to stakes winner and stakes-placed producer Sneaky Quiet (by Seeking the Gold), stakes winner Ironman Dehere (by Dehere), and stakes-placed Whiletheiron'shot (by Smart Strike).
