Wednesday's session began with a memorial to those who died in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
A filly by Thunder Gulch brought the top price of $450,000 during the first open session of the Keeneland September yearling sale Wednesday in Central Kentucky. Florida pinhooker Robert Scanlon purchased her from Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent for her breeder, BryLynn Farm. Produced from the 14-year-old winning Far North mare Andriana B, the filly is a half-sister to grade II winner Crafty C.T. (by Crafty Prospector) and stakes winner Carmen's Baby (by Iam the Iceman)."To quite honest, that was more than I wanted to pay for her; I thought we would get her for $350,000," Scanlon said. "But she's absolutely gorgeous, and the more I got to looking at her, the more I liked her. I think she will be a good prospect for pinhooking to the 2-year-old sales, but there is a good possibility that we will sell her (privately) before then in December or January. This is a huge move for us, but I don't think there is any down side to her, unless she just can't run, period."The downward trends that were seen in the select sessions continued Wednesday. Keeneland reported that 258 horses were sold for a gross of $27,137,500, an average of $105,184, and a median of $88,500. Compared to a year ago, the number sold and gross revenue declined by 2.3% and 27.0%, respectively. The average and median dopped by 25.3% and 11.5%, respectively. The buyback rate was 25.4%.Through three days of selling (including the select sessions Monday and Tuesday), 635 horses were sold for a gross of $127,713,500, an average of $201,124, and a median of $130,000. The number sold was up by 2.9%, but the gross fell by 26.4%. The average and median were down by 28.5% and 16.1%, respectively."It's going okay," said Duncan Taylor of Taylor Made Sales Agency. "I don't think it's overwhelmingly good, but we are getting horses sold."Another open session is scheduled for Thursday, and then there will be a one-day break from selling on Friday. The day off will be following by eight consecutive open sessions that run through Sept. 21.