Demand for Thoroughbred racehorses continued Monday at Keeneland when cumulative gross sales of $326,287,200 through seven sessions of the 13-day September Yearling Sale exceeded total sales of $307,845,400 for last year's entire 12-day sale.
On Monday, the first day of Book 3, Keeneland sold 289 yearlings for $22,360,500, up 21.62 percent from the corresponding session last year when 276 horses brought $18,385,000. The average of $77,372 rose 16.15 percent from $66,612 in 2017. The median of $55,000 was 10 percent above last year's $50,000.
Cumulatively, Keeneland has sold 1,433 horses for $326,287,200, an increase of 19.39 percent from last year's $273,298,000 for 1,455 horses. Average was up 21.22 percent from $187,834 to $227,695. The median of $150,000 rose 25 percent from $120,000 in 2017.
"The positive energy from Week 1 is carrying forward to Week 2, as evidenced by gross sales to date surpassing last year's gross for the entire sale," Keeneland Director of Sales Operations Geoffrey Russell said.
St. Elias and Zayat Stables partnered to pay the day's highest price of $450,000 for a colt by Empire Maker from the consignment of Gainesway, agent. The colt is out of the Mr. Greeley mare Duke's Dream, a full sister to Grade 1 winner Sweet Lulu, Grade 2 winner Anchor Down and Grade 3 winner Iron Fist.
Three yearlings brought $400,000 each.
Rick Porter's Fox Hill Farm paid the amount for a filly by Medaglia d'Oro who is a half-sister to multiple Grade 3 winner Thiskyhasnolimit. Consigned by Baccari Bloodstock, agent, the filly is out of the Deputy Minister mare Lovely Regina, a half-sister to champion and sire Bernardini.
"She's beautiful, great pedigree. There's nothing to dislike about her," said Fox Hill Racing assistant Victoria Keith, who signed the ticket. "You get shut out in the early days, so hopefully you can find something really good in the later days. (Her price) was exactly where we thought it would be.
"She's going to Bill Recio (in Ocala, Florida) to be broken, then we'll decide what trainer to send her to," Keith said.
A daughter of Into Mischief from the family of champion Tepin and multiple Grade 2 winner Vyjack sold for $400,000 to Bluewater Sales, agent for Martin S. Schwartz. Out of the stakes-placed Scat Daddy mare Sca Doodle, the filly was consigned by Select Sales, agent for Machmer Hall.
Ben Glass, agent, spent $400,000 for a Quality Road colt consigned by War Horse Place, agent. Out of the Giant's Causeway mare Aussieaussieaussie, the colt is from family of Grade 2 winners Rockport Harbor and Regally Appealing.
Eisaman Equine was the session's leading buyer, spending $605,000 for four horses.
The day's leading consignor was Lane's End, which sold 33 yearlings for $2,967,000.
The September Sale continues through Sunday, Sept. 23, with all sessions beginning at 10 a.m. ET.
The entire sale is streamed live at Keeneland.com.
