LEXINGTON, Ky. — Demand for quality horses continued strong into the third session of Keeneland’s September Yearling Sale on Wednesday as the auction transitioned into the Book 2 catalog. Robust trade generated positive results, including the sale of five seven-figure horses – led by a colt by McKinzie, who is a half-brother to the 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1) Presented by Woodford Reserve winner Mage and was purchased by Mayberry Farm for $1.2 million.
Total sales through the first three days of the auction are $180,949,000 for 430 horses, on par with the corresponding period last year when 439 yearlings sold for $180,355,000. The cumulative average price of $420,812 rose 2.43 percent from last year’s $410,831, while the median ticked 1.54 percent from $325,000 to $330,000.
A total of 28 yearlings sold for $1 million or more during the first three days of the 2023 auction to equal the number from last year.
On Wednesday, the first day of Book 2, 209 yearlings sold for $64,024,000, down slightly from last year’s $66,695,000 when 219 horses sold. The average of $306,335 increased 0.59 percent from $304,543 in 2022. The median of $255,000 was nearly identical to last year’s $250,000.
Runnymede Farm agent sold the two highest-priced yearlings Wednesday.
The $1.2 million colt, who is from the first crop of McKinzie, is out of stakes winner Puca, by Big Brown, and from the family of Grade 1 winner Finnegans Wake. (Puca is scheduled to be sold Nov. 8 at Keeneland on the first day of the November Breeding Stock Sale by Case Clay Thoroughbred Management.)
Dottie Ingordo-Shirreffs signed the ticket for the colt on behalf of Mayberry Farm.
Mayberry Farm purchased six yearlings for $4,210,000 to lead all buyers during the session.
Runnymede Farm, agent, also consigned the day’s second-highest priced yearling, a colt by Gun Runner who sold to Repole Stable and Spendthrift Partners for $1.15 million. From the family of Kentucky Derby winner Strike the Gold and Grade 3 winners Bridgetown and Greydar, he is out of the Speightstown mare Margate Gardens.
Runnymede has sold three million-dollar yearlings at this year’s September Sale.
Two yearlings sold for $1.1 million each.
West Point Thoroughbreds paid the amount for a son of Into Mischief out of Grade 3 winner Ever So Clever by Medaglia d’Oro. Clearsky Farms, agent, consigned the colt from the family of the Grade 3 winner In Conference and stakes winner Foxy Danseur.
Finley, who said the colt would race for a partnership to be determined, said the desire for racehorses had continued into Book 2.
Selling to D.J. Stable for $1.1 million was a Tapit filly who is the first foal out of multiple Grade 3 winner Lady’s Island by Greatness. Consigned by Gainesway, agent, she is from the family of Irish Champion Law Society.
With sales of $10.4 million for 23 yearlings, Gainesway was the session’s leading consignor.
A colt by Uncle Mo, the first foal out of winner Flighty Almighty (GB), by Elusive Quality, sold to Jim and Dana Bernhard’s Pin Oak Stud for $1 million. Consigned by Hunter Valley Farm, agent, he is from the family of French highweight Regal Parade and Group 3 winners Boomer and The Cheka.
Mayberry Farm spent $875,000 for a filly by Into Mischief, a half-sister to Grade 3 winner Share the Ride. Consigned by Hill ‘n’ Dale at Xalapa, agent, she is out of the stakes-winning Graeme Hall mare Bell of the Hall and from the family of Canadian champion Ambitious Cat, Grade 1 winner Blushing K. D. and two-time 2023 Louisiana-bred stakes winner Woods N Water.
