Keeneland sales director Geoffrey Russell: "There is great exuberance from buyers."
The bullish bloodstock auction market continued at the Keeneland January horses of all ages sale in Lexington, Ky. on Thursday as the gross receipts and average and median prices soared over the comparable session one year ago.The sales company reported 263 horses sold for $4,817,000. The average price of $18,316 represented a gain of 43.9% and the session median of $9,500 was 58.3% over the comparable session one year ago when 257 horses were sold for a total of $3,271,900."There is great exuberance from buyers," said Keeneland sales director Geoffrey Russell. "I don't think it is the strength or depth of the catalog. I think it is a carryover from the (strong) September sale and November sales. Also, this is the last stop to buy a mare before the breeding season begins."Hildene Stakes winner Saturday's Child, a 5-year-old mare by Storm Cat out of stakes winner Bashful Charmer, by Capote, was purchased by Domino Stud of Lexington for $260,000 to top the session. Consigned by Mill Ridge, the mare was sold in foal to Broken Vow.Broken Vow's first foals are yearlings this year. The son of Unbridled won nine races and earned $725,296 during his racing career.Cumulative figures for the sale that concludes Friday show 1,003 horses have been sold for $47,362,600, an average of $47,221 and a median of $20,000. At this point in the sale a year ago, 961 horses had been sold for $29,653,400, an average of $30,857 and a median of $13,000.Results from Keeneland--Session 4, Thursday, Jan. 15
