Keeneland’s 16-day September Yearling Sale, which concluded on Tuesday, September 25, ranks as the second-highest grossing September sale with just over $385 million, down only 3.7 percent from last year’s 14-day record of $399,791,800. While the average price of $101,347 dropped 9.9 percent from the record $112,427 in 2006, the sale established an industry record for number of horses sold – 3,799 from 5,553 cataloged, compared to 3,556 from 5,161, a year ago.
“The September Sale remains the world’s barometer of the Thoroughbred yearling market,” said Geoffrey Russell, Keeneland’s director of sales. “This year’s sale was exceptionally strong, and its performance even more impressive than last year’s record sale … with keen competition among buyers into the last days of the sale; strong domestic interest; greater spending by the Europeans; active buying from pinhookers; and a good mix of horsemen from around the world. We sold 32 million-dollar yearlings, the same number as last year, but more individual buyers bought those yearlings.”
Buyers from 29 countries participated in this year’s sale. “The international market is very comfortable here because of the transparency of our transactions,” Russell noted. “They feel they get a proper shake because we disclose more information to potential buyers.”
Despite the strength of the September Sale, however, Russell had a word of caution.
“I don’t think the industry should look at the results of this sale and feel there is no concern for the long-term health of the market,” he said. “The breeding industry as a whole must take a long, hard look at its practices, particularly regarding stud fees and the oversupply of horses. The industry needs to address these issues and encourage more participation in racing before we suffer a painful reality check.”
Demi O’Byrne, on behalf of John Magnier and Coolmore Stud, signed the ticket for seven million-dollar purchases, outlasting Texan Clarence Scharbauer, Jr., to acquire the sale topper, a colt by Unbridled’s Song for $3.7 million. Consigned by Lane’s End, agent, the colt is out of Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Secret Status, by A.P Indy.
Last year’s sale topper, a Kingmambo colt, brought $11.7 million from John Ferguson, outbidding representatives of Coolmore Stud, on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed. O’Byrne also signed the ticket for the sale’s highest-priced filly, paying $1.6 million for a daughter of Seeking the Gold out of the stakes-winning Crystal Crossing (Ire), by Royal Academy, consigned by Eaton Sales, agent. O’Byrne was the sale’s leading buyer, purchasing 13 yearlings for $17,920,000.