Vibrant pace throughout the sale, held Sept. 13-24, produced gross receipts of $352,823,000, a 47.96 percent rebound from last year's gross of $238,454,300 when the 12-day sale was impacted by the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. This year's gross is just shy of the $359,787,700 realized in 2019 to signal a resumption of the bull markets of previous years. A total of 2,672 yearlings sold through the ring this year compared to 2,346 in 2020.

Records were established for both cumulative average and median prices. Average price of $132,045 represents a 29.91 percent increase over last year's $101,643 and surpasses the previous record of $129,331 set in 2018. Median price rose 75.68 percent from $37,000 to $65,000 and smashes the record of $57,000 set in 2017.

Fifteen yearlings sold for $1 million or more, led by a colt from the first crop of City of Light who brought $1.7 million.

“Thanks to all our breeders, consignors and buyers, whose passion for racing clearly showed through these past two weeks,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “This September Sale felt completely different from any other in recent memory – lots of hustle and bustle. We elevated our hospitality throughout the sale, with a particular focus on the first two days, to create excitement and anticipation. We worked to set the tone and stage. Our breeders and consignors delivered high-quality bloodstock, and the buyers responded fervently. People are emerging from the pandemic with a renewed sense of vitality, and they are ready to have fun. That positivity, coupled with the increased prize money available at tracks around the country, created a pent-up demand for racehorses coming into the sale. We were thrilled to see lots of happy buyers and consignors.”

“This sale exceeded expectations in nearly every measure,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “The positive takeaways are very encouraging. The level of confidence across the spectrum of the industry is extremely high. The clearance rate has been very healthy, especially in the middle market. The strength of the young sires has been remarkable and shows excitement for the next generation. The diversity of buyers and the spread of equity among them are broad and deep. We're seeing a lot of new faces and new money, and these people are excited about their participation.”

Brian Graves, General Manager of Gainesway, the sale's second-leading consignor that sold 131 horses for $30,120,000 concurred.

“I thought (the sale) would pick up steam as the books went, and it did,” Graves said. “The middle market has been the strongest part of the market for horses all year long, and (the September Sale) just proved that there's a lot of people in the middle. There's a good stable, solid domestic market out there right now, and that's good for all of us.”

The strong demand for horses was borne out in the record clearance rate, the highest for the September Sale since 2012. Records were twice set for number of horses sold through the ring during a single session: 319 in session seven followed by 325 in session nine. Keeneland officials noted the clearance rate is higher than the published figure since a large number of horses sold privately after not meeting their reserves in the sale ring.

“It's been a great sale – nobody can deny that. Every indicator tells us as much. Such a low RNA rate yesterday (session nine); nine percent is remarkable,” said Peter O'Callaghan of Woods Edge Farm, who sold all but one horse in his consignment, which was highlighted by a $1.05 million colt by City of Light purchased by West Bloodstock, agent for Repole Stable and St. Elias.

“(The sale is) the best it's been in quite some time. I don't think it's an accident, either,” O'Callaghan added. “Horse racing did a great job going through COVID and got a lot of new eyes on the game, a lot of new bettors in the game. Handles were going up everywhere. Prize money is exploding. People are recognizing that. They know it really makes sense to own a racehorse in this country. You can make money, you can pay your way. If you win a nice race at a prominent track, you can almost pay your training fees for the year. It's great, and long may it continue.”

Several days prior to the sale, Keeneland announced an innovative venture with Kentucky Downs aimed at further strengthening racing opportunities for this year's September Sale graduates. They are eligible to run in a pair of $250,000 allowance races – one for fillies and one for colts and geldings – at the 2022 FanDuel Meet at Kentucky Downs.

The optimistic outlook for racing contributed to a deep buying bench at the September Sale, consisting of domestic buyers along with returning international buyers from 27 countries such as  England, Ireland, France, Japan, China, Australia, Hong Kong, Peru, Argentina, United Arab Emirates, Russia and Singapore. The sale's 15 seven-figure horses were bought by 13 distinct buyers.

From the outset, major buyers packed the sales pavilion and back show rings and competed with waves of new buyers who arrived daily as the sale moved into Week 2.

Domestic buyers, particularly end users, drove the market.

“The domestic end-user activity was sensational,” Keeneland Director of Sales Operations Cormac Breathnach said. “It's been great to see them step up in such a big way. It's encouraging that as an industry we're able to maintain strong growth while we're missing some historically significant players.”

The sale also benefited from the increased participation of partnerships and syndicates. Partnerships comprising West Point Thoroughbreds, Woodford Racing and Talla Racing purchased the top three highest-priced horses: a City of Light colt from the family of Grade 2 winner and sire Broken Vow for $1.7 million, a Quality Road colt who is a half-brother to Grade 1 winner Girvin and classic-placed Midnight Bourbon for $1.6 million and a Justify colt from the family of champion Wait a While for $1.55 million.

Jacob West's West Bloodstock, agent for Repole Stable and St. Elias, was the sale's leading buyer, purchasing 43 yearlings for $16,045,000. They included a son of City of Light for $1.05 million. West acquired horses for Repole and St. Elias as late as the eighth session.

Other leading buyers who represented partnerships were Donato Lanni, agent for SF Bloodstock/Starlight/Madaket, who spent $10,590,000 for 24 colts, and BSW/Crow Colts Group, a new entity that acquired 20 colts for $6,805,000.

“Partnerships were very dominant in the market, and they hugely benefited this sale,” Lacy said. “While they may take away the $3-$4 million horse, partnerships spread the money among buyers and allows investors to spread their risk. They also enable people to have fun in a more affordable way. And by bringing more people into the sport, they create a fan base.”

Established sires continued to be highly prized with American Pharoah, Curlin, Into Mischief,  Quality Road, Street Sense, Tapit, Uncle Mo and War Front represented by yearlings who brought seven figures. Into Mischief was the leading sire by total sales with 62 colts and fillies grossing $25,967,000.

American Pharoah sired the auction's highest-priced filly, who sold for $1.4 million to Northshore Bloodstock, agent. Consigned by Betz Thoroughbreds, agent, the filly is a half-sister to undefeated Echo Zulu, who captured Saratoga's Grade 1 Spinaway Stakes eight days prior to the sale.

Yearlings from the first crops of Triple Crown winner Justify and Grade 1 winner City of Light fetched some of the sale's top prices to rank the stallions second and third, respectively, on the September Sale's leading sire list in terms of gross sales. Justify was represented by 61 yearlings sold for $22,431,000, led by a colt for $1.55 million. City of Light grossed $17,525,000 for 47 yearlings, including the $1.7 million sale-topping colt and a $1.05 million colt. He sired the highest-priced horses in two sessions.

“The market is probably the strongest we've seen here in the last 15, 20 years – just in depth of the buying bench and quality of the prices,” said Aidan O'Meara, Director of Bloodstock and Client Development at Stonehaven Steadings, consignor of a $1.55 million Justify colt. “We've never been as busy at the barns with the number and intensity of the buyers and the number of shows. The amount of back ring action in the past couple of days has been astonishing. We were very fortunate with a couple of big touches, but the market held all the way through until the last one we just sold.”

Among the other young stallions to rank among the sale's leaders were Horse of the Year Gun Runner, champion Good Magic and Grade 1 winners Mendelssohn and Practical Joke.

“There was exceptional quality in this yearling crop that extended into Week 2,” Keeneland Director of Sales Development Mark Maronde said. “The quality of this crop, the variety of stallions represented and the professionalism of our breeders and sellers made this sale a success.”

Small, family-run farms made a splash this September by consigning homebreds that sold for seven figures. The sale-topping colt by City of Light was consigned by Rosilyn Polan's Sunday Morning Farm. The Knelman family's Farfellow Farms sold a $1 million colt by Street Sense to BSW/Crow Colts Group and a $700,000 colt by City of Light to West Bloodstock, agent for Repole Stable and St. Elias.

“The sale has been extremely strong,” said Jak Knelman. “It's pretty amazing walking to the back ring and seeing everybody who is looking at horses in the barns and just purely waiting for them to come to the back ring. Purses in Kentucky and across the nation in the big markets are really exploding, and it affects the people who are raising horses. For (us with) a small band of broodmares and (being) commercial breeders, the yearling sales are really what we target. This is what makes or breaks the year. You're sure to be looked at by everyone when you come here, and that's all you can ask as a seller.”

Keeneland made several adjustments to the format this September that were well received by consignors and buyers. Week 1 was structured so Books 1 and 2, which consisted of two sessions each, were held on four consecutive days before the sale took a one-day hiatus. As a result, 1,102 yearlings were cataloged to be presented to buyers. Keeneland also combined the final two sessions (those horses originally cataloged to Sessions 11 and 12) into a single session on today's final day to conclude the sale during a three-day Book 5. Both changes were made to present a critical mass of horses to buyers.

For the first time, Keeneland offered an RNA Reoffer program that allowed consignors to reoffer horses not sold on Day 1 at the conclusion of the second session. Four horses that did not meet their reserves on opening day went through the RNA Reoffer at the close the second session and one of those sold.

“The RNA Reoffer served its purpose in that it incentivized a lot of post-sale transactions,” Lacy said.

Keeneland once again offered tools such as online and phone bidding to facilitate buying. Online bidding resulted in the sale of 135 horses for a total of $19,206,500.

Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent, led all consignors at the September Sale for the seventh consecutive year and the 23rd year overall since 1988. Taylor Made sold 304 yearlings for $37,306,500.

During Friday's final session, 244 yearlings sold for $3,937,500, for an average of $16,137 and a median of $12,000.

Bill and Anne Scott purchased a Silent Name (JPN) filly for $120,000 to be the highest priced yearling sold Friday. Consigned by Hidden Brook, agent, the filly is out of the graded stakes-winning Awesome Again mare Ice Festival.

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The first digital sale is set for March 23, followed by sales in May, June, July, August, October and December (see dates for sales, entry open/close and catalog availability at the conclusion of this release).

Keeneland developed the Digital Sales Ring together with Kentucky-based technology company Horseco and in 2020 conducted sales in June, October and December. The platform offers Keeneland the flexibility to host small, select online auctions throughout the year in addition to its four major live sales in January, April, September and November. These online auctions also allow sellers the opportunity to take advantage of timely updates in offering racing and breeding stock.

“We are excited to announce the 2021 schedule for the Keeneland Digital Sales Ring, which continues to grow the online market and expand the services Keeneland is able to provide its sales clients,” Keeneland director of sales development Mark Maronde said. “The Digital Sales Ring offers tremendous convenience and flexibility for sellers and buyers, who can fully participate in the auction process and present horses for sale regardless of location.”

“We thank the buyers and consignors who supported the Digital Sales Ring during its launch in 2020,” Keeneland president, CEO and interim director of sales Shannon Arvin said. “Keeneland has always been a leader in Thoroughbred sales and we look forward to employing further enhancements to the online platform and digital catalog.”

On the day of each sale, online bidding will open at 10 a.m. ET and begin to close at 2 p.m.

2021 Keeneland Digital Sales Ring Schedule and Important Dates

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“We are very happy with what we came up with,” Keeneland’s Director of Sales Development Mark Maronde said of the strength of the catalogue. “It was kind of a surprise in that we just finished the November sales and leading into this time of year, we really didn’t know what we would get.”

In addition to a French-based group of offerings led by Group 1 producer Fancy Green (Fr) (Muhtathir {GB}), the December catalogue includes mares who come into the on-line auction with major updates. Stakes-winning Surrender Now (Morning Line) (hip 44) is a half-sister to recent GIII Bob Hope S. winner Red Flag (Tamarkuz) and the 5-year-old is booked to Tamarkuz’s sire Speightstown for 2021. Felicita (More Than Ready) (hip 22), who is offered in foal to Not This Time, is a half-sister to this year’s GI Frizette S. winner and GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies runner-up Dayoutoftheoffice (Into Mischief).

“I think the November sales were maybe stronger than people thought they would be under the circumstances and they saw this [digital sale] as another opportunity,” Maronde said. “And then, with a horse like Surrender Now, she’s a 5-year-old mare, they were probably go to breed her and the half-brother jumped up and won impressively in California. I think it gave them the option to test the market and see where it takes them. They always have the option to buy her back and breed her, but it was an opportunity that was probably too good to pass up.”

Maronde continued, “There is a half-sister to Dayoutoftheoffice in foal to Not This Time. I think Not This Time earlier in the fall wouldn’t have been as hot. And then that filly jumped up and won in New York and then came back and ran second in the Breeders’ Cup, probably it gave them a similar opportunity to see if they could cash in. This would seem to be the place to do it.”

The December catalogue also includes Westside Singer (Gone West) (hip 47), dam of multiple graded stakes winner Secret Message (Hat Trick {Jpn}); Meow (Gio Ponti) (hip 32), a half-sister to multiple graded winner Engage (Into Mischief); and Frankly J’Ray (Frankel {GB}) (hip 23).

As the digital sales continue to gain in popularity, Maronde expects more buyers and sellers to take advantage of the timeliness of auctions outside the traditional sales calendar.

“I don’t think we are there yet, but I think the pandemic moved this format along a lot quicker than we thought it would,” Maronde said. “We thought this was going to be something that people would have to be exposed to and it would be slow going. So this being the third sale and to come up with 70+ entries did kind of shock us a little bit. I think that’s related to the pandemic and also an awareness that there is an opportunity that doesn’t always have to follow the sales calendar when you have a sale like this pop up.”

Nudged along by the travel restrictions caused by the global pandemic, Keeneland unveiled its digital sales platform in June with a pair of offerings bringing six figures, but with 18 of 31 horses failing to sell. The October sale was topped by a $200,000 racing or broodmare prospect and only seven head finding new homes.

“The first [digital sale] we had to see where we were,” Maronde said. “The second one, we didn’t really know how  September [Yearling Sale] was going to play out and we wanted to give sellers every opportunity to move product. So we had that second sale taking horses who were RNAs out of the yearling sales. More so than anything, that was the purpose of the second sale. For this third one, we knew we needed to have another sale. There was a consignment that approached us and said they would like to try to have a digital sale focused around the November sale time frame, so people could go to the farm and look at horses and then be prepared to buy them on this platform.”

From its initial season of three auctions, Maronde said he expects the digital platform to only grow in 2021.

“We will be making a bigger commitment to this in 2021,” he said. “We will probably have seven or eight sales in the months that we don’t have a live sale. And we will throw more resources at it. This has been a learning exercise for us for all three sales. We haven’t had the opportunity to focus on it as much as we’d like. But this sale and the one in October were basically us trying to be reactive to what we thought maybe was going to be a need in the marketplace with the travel restrictions and a perceived tough market to sell into. I think we learned that the industry is pretty resilient and flexible. The online bidding at the sales everywhere has been a lot stronger than anybody would have thought. Videos are more in demand and more people will be doing videos and there does seem to be less of a negative on selling without being present on site. The big takeaway for all of us in this is that we thought it would be a little bit harder to get people to adjust to than it’s been.”

Bidding on the December sale offerings begins Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. and bidding closes on lots every two minutes beginning at 2 p.m.

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“Keeneland ends this fall with a sense of gratitude for the hard work of everyone who participated in the success of the September Yearling and November Breeding Stock Sales, the fall race meet and Breeders' Cup,” said Keeneland President and CEO Bill Thomason, who will retire Dec. 31 after a decade of service to Keeneland. “Given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global horse industry, the fact that we were able to conduct our fall events on the dates originally scheduled is a major accomplishment that should be celebrated by all involved.”

The November Sale is a globally important source of quality bloodstock, and this year's sale reflected welcomed stability in the marketplace.

“We owe the strength of the September and November Sales to the tremendous efforts of our consignors, buyers and their staffs, who, despite the challenges associated with the pandemic, brought quality horses to market and fully participated at every level,” Keeneland President-Elect and Interim Head of Sales Shannon Arvin said. “We have all moved mountains this fall, and during these tough times, we are pleased that so many buyers from around the world made arrangements to be here or be represented and that they took advantage of the various bidding platforms Keeneland made available to them.”

For the auction, held Nov. 9-18, Keeneland recorded gross sales of $151,019,300 for 2,198 horses, for an average of $68,708 and a median of $23,000.

The 2019 November Sale, which spanned 12 sessions, had 2,570 horses sell in the ring for $193,316,100, for an average of $75,220 and a median of $25,000.

Keeneland conducted the 2020 November Sale with extensive COVID-19 protocols similar to those in place for the September Sale for the health and safety of participants. In addition to providing online bidding, Keeneland expanded its phone bidding service to accommodate remote buyers while it offered bidding from the outdoor Show Barn just behind the Sales Pavilion to permit greater social distancing.

Online bidding, which Keeneland introduced at the September Sale, continued to gain popularity as 279 horses sold over the internet for $16,274,300. Of particular note is the fact that more horses sold each day via the internet during the second week of the auction than during the first week. Leading the online purchases was Grade 1 winner Ollie's Candy, who raced two days before the start of the sale in the Breeders' Cup Distaff at Keeneland and sold as a racing or broodmare prospect to K I Farm of Japan for $1.65 million.

“One of the silver linings of this unprecedented time has been the innovations we've successfully implemented with regard to internet bidding and enhanced phone bidding,” Arvin said. “People have found creative ways to participate in the sale and see the horses when they can't be right here in the way in which we are accustomed.”

Despite the logistical and operational challenges presented by the pandemic, including travel restrictions that affected a number of regular international attendees, the November Sale produced solid results.

“The enthusiasm for quality horses and the participation of major domestic and foreign buyers, many of whom remained active well into the second week of the sale, is a testament to the resiliency of this industry,” Keeneland Director of Sales Operations Geoffrey Russell said. “There was a healthy mix of U.S. and international interests representing Europe, Japan, Korea, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, among others, as well as several new buyers emerging on the scene. Hats off to consignors, who were very good about marketing their horses, either directly or via Keeneland's website, to remote buyers. We know this hasn't been an easy environment to navigate, and we appreciate the efforts all have made to participate either in person or through use of the available technology.”

The premier Book 1 on Nov. 9 produced nine horses who brought $1 million and more, led by two offerings purchased by the auction's leading buyer, Larry Best's OXO Equine: Concrete Rose and Indian Miss.

Grade 1 winner Concrete Rose, a 4-year-old daughter of Twirling Candy, was consigned as a racing or broodmare prospect by Lane's End, agent for Ashbrook Farm and BBN Racing. Indian Miss, an 11-year-old daughter of Indian Charlie who is the dam of champion Mitole, was consigned by Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency, agent, in foal to Into Mischief. Three days before the sale began, her 2-year-old colt, Hot Rod Charlie, was second in the TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance at Keeneland.

Best bought 17 horses for $7,965,000. Eight of his purchases were weanlings, topped by a colt by Mastery for $450,000. He continued to purchase weanlings through the sale's fifth session.

The November Sale's second-leading buyer was Matt Dorman's Determined Stud, a new operation in Maryland that acquired 14 horses for $4.53 million with Phil Schoenthal, agent. Other prominent domestic buyers included Louisiana's Coteau Groves Farm/Cary Bloodstock, agent, who spent $3,272,000 for 13 horses as well as such successful Central Kentucky operations as Spendthrift Farm, Hunter Valley Farm, agent, and Claiborne Farm, agent.

The sale's third-leading buyer was Yeguada Centurion of Spain's Leopoldo Fernandez Pujals, who purchased 22 horses for $3,857,000 to mark his second year of sizable acquisitions at the November Sale. Shadai Farm, K I Farm, JS Company, Paca Paca Farm and Katsumi Yoshida of Japan ranked among the sale's leading buyers, as did other global entities such as Narvick International, David Redvers Bloodstock, Arthur Hoyeau, agent, and Coolmore's M.V. Magnier.

The worldwide appeal of the November Sale was evident when Narvick International paid $1.85 million for Cherokee Maiden, a 3-year-old daughter of Distorted Humor from the family of 2020 Japanese Triple Crown winner Contrail and Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Essential Quality. Bedouin Bloodstock, agent, consigned her as a racing or broodmare prospect.

Joining Ollie's Candy, a 5-year-old daughter of Candy Ride, as another November Sale offering who raced in this year's Breeders' Cup was Lady Prancealot, who was fourth in the Maker's Mark Filly and Mare Turf and sold to Shadai Farm for $1.6 million. Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent, consigned both Ollie's Candy and Lady Prancealot as racing or broodmare prospects.

Other seven-figure horses were Canadian champion Holy Helena, in foal to Quality Road ($1.5 million to Spendthrift Farm), Houtzen, in foal to Curlin ($1.5 million to Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings) and the racing or broodmare prospect Gingham ($1 million to Claiborne Farm, agent).

“The market in both September and November was a lot deeper than we, and many others, thought it would be,” Keeneland Director of Sales Development Mark Maronde said. “But horsemen are optimistic. They see the end of this pandemic coming and they wanted to continue to participate. They still bought bloodstock because of blue sky ahead.”

Keeneland demonstrated flexibility in accepting supplemental entries to the November Sale catalog until the start of the auction. Supplements produced many of the auction's highest-priced broodmares, weanlings and horses of racing age.

Topping the Book 1 supplements were Unicorn Girl, dam of Grade 1-winning juvenile Jackie's Warrior, sold to Arthur Hoyeau, agent, for $850,000; Veronique, dam of undefeated Keeneland stakes winner and recent track record setter Nashville, purchased for $800,000 by James Delahooke, agent; and a weanling half-brother to Jackie's Warrior by American Pharoah purchased by M.V. Magnier for $600,000.

Energizing later sessions was the vibrant market for horses of racing age, a number of which were supplemented to the sale.

At $525,000, the high seller during the ninth day was graded stakes performer Hidden Scroll, a winning 4-year-old Hard Spun colt, who sold to Fergus Galvin, agent for Marc Detampel. WinStar Racing, agent for Juddmonte Farms, consigned the colt. Edgemont Road, a stakes-placed son of Speightstown supplemented to the sale, sold to Eddie Kenneally, agent for William K. Werner, for $275,000.

The day before, two horses of racing age who were supplemental entries – Grade 2-placed Bob and Jackie and Churchill Downs winner Alex Joon – sold for $190,000 and $120,000, respectively.

“We've been working on the racehorse segment of our catalog for the last couple of years,” Russell said. “WinStar was the first to come to us and try to design a portion of the sale around racehorses, and it has grown exponentially since. Going forward, we'll be looking to improve on it.”

Colts by the two most recent winners of the Triple Crown – Justify and American Pharoah – sold for $600,000 apiece to tie as the most expensive weanlings. Donati Lanni, agent, purchased the son of Justify, who was consigned by Hunter Valley Farm, agent. Magnier acquired the aforementioned son of 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, who is a half-brother to Jackie's Warrior.

Represented by his first crop, Justify was the leading sire of weanlings by average with five colts averaging $427,000. They also included the top-priced weanlings of the second ($475,000) and third sessions ($435,000).

Weanlings from the first crops of other Grade 1 winners Bolt d'Oro, City of Light and Mendelssohn also were well received with total sales for each sire exceeding $1 million.

“Fewer foals were cataloged this year, and the bidding for them was more competitive,” Russell said. “The strength of the foal market surprised many consignors who didn't enter their foals in the November Sale. Several major end users are now participating in the foal market, and that has pushed the pinhookers back a little. They probably haven't fulfilled all their orders, so we hope to see them at the January Horses of All Ages Sale.”

The number of horses sold in post-sale transactions – 88 horses for $6,796,000 as of sale end Wednesday – is a reflection of the strong trade. One was Book 1 offering Con Te Partiro, the globetrotting Group 1 winner sold privately for $1.6 million to David Redvers Bloodstock. Consigned by Bedouin Bloodstock, agent, the 6-year-old daughter of Scat Daddy initially was reported as an RNA.

The leading covering sire by average was Quality Road, whose three in-foal mares averaged $911,667.

Taylor Made Sales Agency was the November Sale's leading consignor for the fourth consecutive year and the 24 time since 1987. Taylor Made sold 208 horses for $18,957,600, including the aforementioned Ollie's Candy and Lady Prancealot as well as Expo Gold, dam of the 2020 Preakness-winning filly, Swiss Skydiver, for $950,000. In foal to Catholic Boy, Expo Gold sold to Hunter Valley Farm, agent.

During Wednesday's final session, 214 horses sold for $1,309,600, for an average of $6,120 and a median of $4,000. The high seller at $40,000 was Mutakaamil, a 4-year-old son of Tapit who sold to Jeff Engler, agent for Lea Farms. Bluewater Sales, agent, consigned the colt.

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“The September Sale can be measured as a success given that in these uncertain times the market proved there is still tremendous interest and money for quality racehorses at all levels,” Keeneland President and CEO Bill Thomason said. “Everyone who participated should be applauded for their unprecedented efforts to make this market a reality.”

The September Sale is a bellwether for the global Thoroughbred industry and a significant economic driver for Central Kentucky breeders.

“Keeneland is fortunate, in the midst of a pandemic, to be able to not only hold the September Sale but do so on its originally scheduled dates,” Keeneland President-Elect and Interim Head of Sales Shannon Arvin said. “I'm so proud of the Keeneland team who, immediately after the Spring Meet was canceled and the lockdown in Kentucky was announced in mid-March, began collaborating with state and local health officials, breeders, consignors, buyers and others in the Thoroughbred industry, to plan for the September Sale even as the landscape changed almost daily. The success of this sale is a testament to the cooperation among everyone involved and the resiliency of our industry.”

Among the health and safety protocols implemented for the September Sale by Keeneland were the requirements that people who accessed the grounds during the sale be credentialed through the Virtual Badge digital ID and that all Keeneland employees, consignors and their staffs, veterinarians and their staffs, farriers, van representatives and media show proof of a negative COVID-19 test. Everyone entering the Keeneland grounds underwent a daily health screening with a temperature check and questions. Face coverings and social distancing of at least six feet were required, and the Sales Pavilion, including the Sales Arena and Back Holding Ring, had reduced capacity. Nearly all food service moved from the Sales Pavilion to concessions and the Phoenix Room in the track Grandstand.

“Full credit for this year's September Sale goes to everyone – breeders, consignors, owners, buyers, agents, trainers and countless other people – for their cooperation in following the health and safety protocols and adapting to the new forms of buying that allowed us to offer this important market in this unusual time,” Keeneland Director of Sales Operations Geoffrey Russell said. “It certainly wasn't your normal September Sale, and we know it wasn't easy. We sincerely thank all who participated and made the best of the challenging circumstances. We look forward to 2021 and the return of the hustle and bustle.”

For the sale, held Sept. 13-25, Keeneland sold 2,346 yearlings for $238,454,300, for an average of $101,643 and a median of $37,000.

In 2019, the 13-session September Sale was one of the strongest in recent years, with 2,850 horses selling for $359,789,700, for an average of $126,242 and a median of $45,500. Last year Book 1 spanned three days versus two days this year.

“Last year was an incredible market,” Russell said. “Trying to replicate those results, even in a normal year, would have been difficult. No doubt, COVID-19 and the travel restrictions due to the pandemic had a strong impact on some aspects of the market. Certain major players did not take part. However, a deep, diverse buying bench still participated at all levels. It was very rewarding that the second week of the sale was stronger than anticipated.”

Keeneland demonstrated its flexibility by providing a variety of options to allow buyers to participate remotely, headlined by the successful launch of online bidding. Online bidding attracted a total of 1,857 bids, which resulted in the sale of 126 horses for a total of $12,165,900 to buyers in 17 U.S. states, Japan, United Kingdom, Canada and Spain. The highest price recorded online was the $825,000 paid by Yuji Hasegawa for a colt by Tapit out of Breeders' Cup Distaff winner Stopchargingmaria.

“Online bidding worked as smoothly and was as popular among buyers as we had hoped,” Arvin said. “When you try something new, you kind of hold your breath to see how it goes. We are very pleased with our partner, Xcira, and the online auction technology system, as well as the level of participation by buyers.”

Keeneland expanded its phone bidding service to accommodate remote buyers, and to enable greater social distancing, added a third on-site bidding location in the Show Barn, the area just outside the Sales Pavilion where horses begin their journey to the sales ring. The area proved very popular with buyers.

In an effort to deliver more information directly to buyers, Keeneland further enhanced its digital catalog to feature walking videos of yearlings and comments from consignors. Keeneland also offered a list of bloodstock agents who planned to attend the sale and could work with buyers participating remotely.

As in recent years, demand for quality individuals continued to drive the market, and buyers remained highly selective in their quest for Thoroughbred racing prospects.

Proving the diversity of Keeneland's buying bench was the fact that 14 different entities, dominated by domestic buyers, purchased the 15 seven-figure yearlings.

“Breeders are to be commended for bringing a very good crop of yearlings to market,” Keeneland Director of Sales Development Mark Maronde said. “The value found here encouraged strong trade through the entire sale. Horse people are optimists in the best of times, and here they are – while there are no fans at many race tracks and with all the uncertainty in every facet of life – doing more than $238 million worth of commerce. That's huge.”

Tom Hinkle of consignor Hinkle Farms agreed. Hinkle sold all 22 yearlings in its consignment for a total of $3,124,000. They included a $750,000 Arrogate colt purchased on the internet by Hasegawa and a $750,000 Gun Runner filly bought by Robbie Medina, agent.

“Because of COVID, there was a lot of uncertainty – not just in the Thoroughbred market but in everything,” Hinkle said. “After COVID really took hold in April, we adjusted our projections on what we thought our yearlings would bring. Fortunately, we had a great sale. We've not only exceeded our revised projections but we've exceeded our original projections.

“We just sell our own horses, so we look at (sales results) as an aggregate,” he added. “As an aggregate, we've been very pleased.”

The September Sale topper sold on the second day of the two-day Book 1 when the partnership of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Robert LaPenta, Gainesway and Winchell Thoroughbreds paid $2 million for the Tapit colt. Out of Grade 1 winner Tara's Tango, he was consigned by Eaton Sales, agent for Stonestreet Bred & Raised.

Tapit also sired the $1.25 million filly who led the opening session. Claiborne Farm, agent, purchased the daughter of Grade 1 Alabama winner Embellish the Lace, by Super Saver. Consigned by Bluewater Sales, she is from the family of Grade 1 winners Afleet Express and Materiality.

Later sessions showed signs of strength in the market as competitive bidding for premium individuals continued.

“Bidding has been challenging – we have all landed on the same horses on numerous occasions,” said Clay Scherer, who during the fourth session signed the ticket for Flurry Racing Stables to acquire a Speightster half-sister to their September Sale graduate and recent Kentucky Oaks winner, Shedaresthedevil, for $350,000.

Boosting the ninth session was Marsha Naify's purchase of a $500,000 colt by Karakontie consigned by Gainesway, agent. That day, Naify purchased three yearlings through phone bidding.

Overall, the sale's leading buyer was Donato Lanni, agent for SF/Starlight/Madaket. On behalf of the partnership, Lanni purchased 28 colts for $11.25 million. At $775,000, the group's most expensive purchases were sons of Into Mischief and Quality Road.

Other leading buyers who spent more than $3 million were West Bloodstock, agent for Repole Stables and St. Elias Stable; Mike Ryan, agent; Shadwell Estate Company Ltd.; B S W/Crow; Mayberry Farm; Courtlandt Farm; OXO Equine; Maverick Racing and Winchell Thoroughbreds. In addition, MyRacehorse.com, co-owner of Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) winner and September Sale graduate Authentic, purchased 14 yearlings either singly or in partnership with Spendthrift Farm for total expenditures of $3,355,000.

Buyers had an appetite for yearlings by Authentic's sire, Into Mischief, who ranked as the sale's leading sire with 57 horses sold for $25,401,000, for an average of $445,632. Among them were five seven-figure horses, including the $1.9 million top-priced filly during the second session, the $1 million colt who topped the fourth session and the $625,000 colt who led the fifth session.

Larry Best's OXO Equine purchased the $1.9 million filly. Consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent, she is out of the stakes-winning Medaglia d'Oro mare Taylor S, a half-sister to Grade 1 winner and sire Liam's Map and Grade 3 winner and sire Not This Time.

Medaglia d'Oro was the leading sire by average with 18 yearlings averaging $599,722. He sired four seven-figure horses – all fillies: $1.6 million (sold to Shadwell Estate Company Ltd), $1.4 million (Robbie Medina, agent), $1.1 million (Whisper Hill Farm) and $1.1 million (What Time Is It Racing – Oracle Bloodstock, agent). Horse of the Year Gun Runner was the leading sire among stallions represented by their first yearlings at the auction with total sales of $8.12 million for 32 horses.

Other top-priced horses represented such successful sires as American Pharoah, Curlin, Kitten's Joy, Quality Road, Speightstown, Uncle Mo and War Front. Leading later sessions were progeny of established sire Ghostzapper and such emerging young stallions as Cupid, Karakontie, Mastery, Not This Time, Nyquist, Practical Joke and Unified.

For the sixth year in a row and the 22nd time since 1988, Taylor Made Sales Agency was the September Sale's leading consignor. Taylor Made sold 252 horses for $29,783,400, including the $1.9 million Into Mischief filly.

Meanwhile, using seven consignors, Stonestreet Bred & Raised sold 30 yearlings for $9,911,000. Joining the $2 million sale topper among the Stonestreet horses was the $1 million colt by Into Mischief who was offered by Warrendale Sales and purchased by Peter Leidel to lead the fourth session.

During Friday's final session, 167 yearlings sold for $1,143,000, for an average of $6,844 and a median of $4,500. Stonehaven Steadings consigned the $45,000 high seller, a colt by Cupid purchased by Scott Gelner, agent.

Racing returns to Keeneland on Friday, Oct. 2, opening day of the 17-day Fall Meet and the start of the prestigious Fall Stars Weekend. A total of 10 stakes, including five Grade 1 races, will be run over three days. Nine stakes during Fall Stars Weekend are Breeders' Cup Challenge “Win and You're In” races, which award each winner an automatic and free entry into the World Championships at Keeneland on Nov. 6-7.

Keeneland's November Breeding Stock Sale begins two days later and will run through Nov. 18.

The post Keeneland September Yearling Sale Concludes With Positive Trade, Resilient Market appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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