Keeneland’s 14-day November Thoroughbred Sale concluded on Sunday in Lexington, Kentucky with a near-record gross of $313,843,800 and an increase of 8.4 percent over last year’s total of $289,606,400. This year’s total ranks as the sale company’s second-highest grossing November Sale, falling just short of the record $317,666,000 set in 1999. Although the average price of $99,728 dipped 2.9 percent from $102,734 in 2005, the median of $35,000 remained unchanged.
Twenty-seven horses topped the million-dollar mark, selling for a total of $56.7 million compared to last year, when 26 million-dollar horses grossed $54.9 million. The top of the market was highlighted by Keeneland records of $6.1 million for a horse in training (the 3-year-old stallion Half Ours, pictured, by Unbridled Song) and $2.4 million for a weanling filly, as well as the North American record of $2.7 million for a weanling colt. Other sale toppers included Grade 1 stakes winner Madcap Escapade, in foal to Pulpit, and her dam, Sassy Pants, for $6 million and $4.5 million, respectively.
“It’s been an amazing two weeks,” said Geoffrey Russell, Keeneland’s director of sales. “We’ve seen major increases at all levels of the market, but the strongest segment continues to be the middle market. Buyers and consignors have repeatedly used the word ‘fantastic’ to describe the sale, and I have to echo those sentiments.”
Keeneland’s Yearling Sale this past September broke all records as the highest-grossing auction ever, with sales of $399,791,800. Thirty-two of the yearlings brought prices of $1 million or more.
“This calendar year, Keeneland’s gross sales have totaled more than $800 million,” Russell noted. “And we look forward to that momentum carrying forward into next year.”
During the November sale, Keeneland hosted buyers from 33 countries representing six continents – North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa. The global diversity of buyers, according to Russell, reflects Keeneland’s ongoing efforts to build relationships in emerging Thoroughbred racing markets.
“Keeneland is unlike any other Thoroughbred auction house in the world,” he said. “We are unmatched in terms of offering the best horses, a state-of-the-art sales facility and a full range of client amenities. For that reason, we are able to aid consignors in promoting and marketing their horses to realize their highest possible value.”
For the fifth consecutive year, Taylor Made Sales Agency, Nicholasville, Kentucky, led the November Sale consignor’s list, selling 321 horses for $51,558,100, including Half Ours for $6.1 million, to dissolve a partnership for Jones and Barry Schwartz.