Keeneland sale already passes 2024 through-the-ring total

With $48 million in through-the-ring sales Sunday, the sixth of 12 sessions of the Keeneland September yearling sale, the cumulative gross reached $417 million to exceed the total of $411 million in through-the-ring sales for the entire 12-day auction last year.

Since the September sale began last Monday, Keeneland has sold 1,216 horses through the ring for $417,622,000, for an average of $343,439 and a median of $250,000. The gross is 24% higher than the same period last year, when 1,166 yearlings brought $336,408,000. The average is 19% above $288,515 from 2024, while the median is 19% higher than last year’s $210,000.

Fifty-six yearlings have sold for $1 million or more compared to 36 last year.

“To surpass last year’s record-breaking gross with six sessions still to come and so much depth of quality remaining in the catalog speaks volumes about the health of the market that we have seen play out here,” Keeneland vice president of sales Tony Lacy said.

Sunday’s gross of $48,184,000 for 267 yearlings was 34% higher than last year’s total of $35,976,000 for 253 horses. The average of $180,464 was 27% above $142,198 in 2024, and the median of $150,000 rose 36% from $110,000 last year.

Two colts by Not This Time were the high sellers Sunday.

Repole Stable and St. Elias Stables paid the session-topping amount of $875,000 for a colt from the family of Hall of Fame mare Zenyatta. Consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent for Summer Wind Equine, he is out of Candy Ride mare Sweetened.

Taylor Made was the session’s leading consignor, selling 30 yearlings for $5,397,000.

A son of Not This Time who was consigned by Dixiana Farms sold to Bradley Thoroughbreds for $775,000. Out of stakes-placed winner Luzmimi Princess, by Malibu Moon, he is from the family of Group 3 winner Golden Century and stakes winners Maple Forest, Heartwood and Maple Syrple.

Donato Lanni for SF Racing, Starlight and Madaket acquired a colt by Tiz the Law for $675,000. Consigned by Killora, he is out of Grade 3-placed winner Bureau de Change, by Exchange Rate, and from the family of Grade 3 winner Fencelineneighbor.

Four yearlings brought $600,000 each.

Susan Naylor paid that for a daughter of Bolt d’Oro who is a half-sister to impressive Saratoga maiden winner It’s Our Time. From the family of Europe high weight Air Force Blue, she is out of stakes winner Shea D Summer, by Summer Front. Bluegrass Thoroughbred Services, agent for South Gate Farm, consigned the filly.

St. Elias Stables and Spendthrift Farm went to $600,000 to buy a colt by Nyquist consigned by Grovendale Sales, agent. He is out of stakes-placed winner Spice Lady, by Speightstown.

A colt by Liam’s Map from the family of Grade 2 and Group 2 winners Enola Gay, Moon Queen and Innuendo sold to Belladonna Racing, West Point Thoroughbreds and Woodford Racing for $600,000. Out of winning stakes-placed mare Flying Fortress, by Uncle Mo, he was consigned by Betz Thoroughbreds, agent.

Not This Time is the sire of a filly sold to Justin Casse for $600,000. Consigned by Burleson Farms, agent, she is out of Runhappy mare Jetmore and from the family of Grade 3 winner Slipstream.

Chad Summers, agent, was Sunday’s leading buyer. He paid $1,170,000 for four yearlings.