Keeneland opened their 2010 September Yearling Sale on Sunday evening, September 12, with a large crowd and high drama as competition among bidders resulted in a $4.2 million yearling sale, the highest price paid at the sale since 2006.

Miami-based businessman Benjamin Leon signed the ticket for the A.P. Indy colt in the name of his Besilu Stables. Leon, seated in the pavilion with J. J. Pletcher, horseman and father of Eclipse Award-winning trainer Todd Pletcher, entered the bidding near the $3.5 million mark and outlasted, among others, trainer Bob Baffert, who was representing Kaleem Shah.

“My family and the Pletcher family thought he was the very best horse in the sale and we did not want to let him go,” Leon said. “He’s got the depth and pedigree to become a superstar. He’s just about perfect and we’re thrilled we were able to get him.”

The colt is the first foal of multiple Grade 1 stakes winner Balance, a half-sister to undefeated champion and 2009 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner Zenyatta. He was consigned by Mill Ridge Sales, agent.

“He was obviously a spectacular individual and a great mover,” said Todd Pletcher, who watched the action from the back of the sales pavilion. “He has a great presence about him and he’s obviously from a family that’s as ‘live’ as a family can be right now.”

Keeneland sold 69 horses for $23,965,000 on Sunday, with an average of $347,319. The September Sale format was changed this year to open with two smaller, select evening sessions on Sunday and Monday nights. As a result there are no comparable figures for 2009. 

Lane’s End consigned four of the evening’s top five high-seller. Bob Baffert, on behalf of Kaleem Shah, paid the second-highest price of $950,000 for a colt by Giant’s Causeway that is a half-brother to the stakes winner Spun Silk.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum’s Shadwell Estate Company Ltd purchased a half-brother by Bernardini to Kentucky Oaks winner Secret Status for $800,000, and a colt for $700,000, by Distorted Humor, out of the family of Belmont Stakes winner Editor’s Note.

The September Sale continues through Sunday, September 26.