LEXINGTON, Ky.— Keeneland’s 2022 September Yearling Sale, the most important Thoroughbred auction in the world, is now the highest-grossing auction in Keeneland’s storied history following Thursday’s 10th session, which pushed total sales to $399,940,000. The previous record of $399,791,800 was set during the 2006 September Sale.
The 12-day September Sale began Monday, Sept. 12 and runs through Saturday, Sept. 24.
With two sessions remaining, a total of 2,488 yearlings have sold through the ring for $399,940,000, an increase of 14.63 percent over the same period last year when 2,428 horses sold through the ring grossed $348,885,500. Average price of $160,748 is up 11.87 percent from $143,693, while the median of $85,000 is 13.33 percent above $75,000 in 2021.
“This milestone was achieved through the persistence, energy and hard work of a community that includes our breeders, sellers and buyers, and we are grateful for their passion for the horse, and for their support of Keeneland,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “It’s an exciting time in our sport, and as we’ve seen at the September Sale, there is a strong desire to own racehorses. This is a moment we celebrate with the entire Thoroughbred industry.”
“This is the goal we all work so hard to achieve, and we appreciate our sellers and buyers who believed in us and the changes we made to the September Sale format,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “Book 1’s tremendous success created momentum that carried forward through the sale and continues into the upcoming final days. With two sessions still to go, we’ve got many nice horses yet to be sold.”
On Thursday, a total of 308 yearlings sold through the ring for $10,335,000, for an average of $33,555 and a median of $25,000. Today’s gross is up 12.41 percent from last year’s $9,194,000 when 303 horses sold through the ring, while the average is 10.59 percent above $30,343, and the median is 8.70 percent higher than $23,000 in 2021.
At $290,000, the high seller on Thursday was a colt by Girvin purchased by Michael Wallace, agent for St. Elias Stables. Brookdale Sales, agent, consigned the colt, whose dam is the winning Into Mischief mare Into Summer. He is from the family of Grade 2 winner Summer Wind Dancer.
Glencrest Farm/John Greathouse, agent, paid $190,000 for a daughter of Sky Mesa out of the winning Speightstown mare Speight’s Comete, a full sister to Grade 2 winner and sire Munnings. The filly was consigned by Paramount Sales, agent.
Paramount Sales was the day’s leading consignor, selling 29 horses for $1,271,500.
Shortleaf Stable paid $150,000 for a colt by Malibu Moon out of stakes winner Janae, by Closing Argument. From the family of multiple Grade 3 winner Debby’s Turn, he was consigned by Warrendale Sales, agent.
Wallace, agent for St. Elias, also paid $140,000 for a colt from the first crop of champion Mitole. Consigned by St George Sales, agent, he is from the family of Canadian champions Apelia and Saoirse and Grade 2 winner More Happy. The colt is out of Marseillaise, by Speightstown.
With two acquisitions for $430,000, Michael Wallace, agent for St. Elias Stables, led all buyers during the session.
A colt by Mendelssohn from the family of champion Escena sold to Barry Berkelhammer, agent, for $125,000. Consigned by Brookdale Sales, agent, he is out of the winning Curlin mare Reiki Baby.
Keeneland Press Release
Main photo: Hip 97 – Quality Road x True Feelings. Current sales topper.
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