LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 18, 2013) – Scores of buyers from the U.S. and around the world competed for horses during the eighth session of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale on Tuesday, so much so that Keeneland officials could not remember a time with as much activity in the sales ring and in the barn area this late in the sale. The brisk trade fueled double-digit increases in gross, average and median prices.
“We had buyers from Korea, Japan, Russia, Central and South America, and Europe in addition to having a strong domestic market represented,” said Keeneland Director of Sales Geoffrey Russell.
On Tuesday, the second of two days that make up Book 3 of the sale, 303 yearlings sold for $16,383,000, marking a 40.6 percent increase from last year’s corresponding session when 302 yearlings brought $11,648,500. The $54,069 average was 40.2 percent higher than last year, and the median of $45,000 was 50 percent above 2012.
Since the sale began on Monday, Sept. 9, Keeneland has sold a total of 1,711 horses for $253,257,000, up 23 percent from last year’s total of $205,811,000. The average of $148,017 increased 32.6 from $111,672 in 2012, while the median of $95,000 rose 35.7 percent from $70,000 in 2012.
The Tuesday session-topper was a son of champion Afleet Alex sold for $280,000. Tara Bella Farm purchased the colt out of the stakes-placed Vindication mare Blowing Kisses. The colt’s second dam is Grade 1 winner Hookedonthefeelin, dam of Grade 1 winners Pussycat Doll and Jimmy Creed. He was consigned by Betz Thoroughbreds Inc., agent.
The day’s second-highest price of $220,000 was paid by K.K. Eishindo for a daughter of Rock Hard Ten out of the Group 3 winner Stella Blue (FR). Brookdale Sales, agent for Dr. Ted Folkerth and Brookdale, consigned the filly, who is a half-sister to European stakes winner Sirius Prospect.
The sale resumes today with the start of the two-day Book 4 session. Book 5 comprises the sessions on Friday and Saturday, the final day of the sale. All sessions begin at 10 a.m. The entire sale is streamed live at www.keeneland.com.
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