
Keeneland September sale posts stronger averages in fifth session
Keeneland's September Yearling Sale resumed Saturday with robust results, posting $61 million in through-the-ring sales highlighted by four seven-figure horses, according to the auction house. The session marked the first day of Book 3, with 255 yearlings sold at an average of $239,498, up 7.74% compared to last year's fifth session.
The median price of $200,000 increased 11.11% from $180,000 in the prior year. Four yearlings commanded seven-figure prices: a $1.5 million colt by Not This Time, a $1.4 million filly by Not This Time, a $1.25 million colt by Life Is Good and a $1 million colt by Into Mischief. The strong performance brings the record number of horses sold for $1 million or more during the first five sessions to 69.
The high seller was a colt by Not This Time purchased by RTM Racing for $1.5 million. The colt, consigned by Gainesway, is the first foal out of Ana's Gun, a daughter of Grade 1 winner Gun Runner with ties to Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf winner Structor and Kentucky Oaks winner Always a Runner.
Through five sessions, the sale has moved 888 horses for a cumulative total of $379,187,000, a 2.64% increase from the same period last year when 949 horses sold for $369,438,000. The average of $427,012 is 9.69% above last year's $389,292, though the median remained flat at $300,000.
Lauren Carlisle led buyers with $2,835,000 spent on five yearlings, while Gainesway topped consignors with $12,685,000 for 39 horses. The sale continues through Sept. 26, with sessions beginning at 10 a.m. ET and streamed live at Keeneland.com.