Keeneland October Sale Numbers Down Sharply

Keeneland's second October yearling sale will catalogue substantially fewer horses than it did in 2001.

Last year's inaugural October effort saw 644 catalogued over two days. This year, the sale will be one day, Oct. 15, and have only 180 yearlings catalogued.

In contrast, Fasig-Tipton Kentucky will catalogue a record number for its October yearling sale, the 774 hips representing a 53% increase over a year ago, when it catalogued 505. Fasig-Tipton Kentucky will sell on Oct. 21 and 22.

Last October, Keeneland sold 337 yearlings for $5,027,900, an average of $14,920 and a median of $5,200. Five yearlings sold for $100,000 or more, led by a Pleasant Colony colt that brought $400,000. Of those to pass through the ring, 38.6% were listed as not sold.

During last year's Fasig-Tipton October sale, 322 horses were sold for $4,142,300, an average of $12,864 and a median of $6,500. The buy-back rate was 23.5%.

According to Keeneland's associate director of sales, Tom Thornbury: "This is not a sale of 'leftovers.' There was a dramatic increase in the number of RNAs sold at the barn during the September (yearling) sale. This led to a reduction in number of yearlings catalogued for October."