2,313 horses sold so far for more than $273 million
Staff report
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 20, 2013) – Horses have been sold to buyers from more than 32 countries so far at this year’s September Yearling Sale, according to Bill Thomason, Keeneland president and CEO.
The sale continues through Saturday.
“(The sale has) had amazing international appeal and … we’re really pleased with what we’re seeing in the thoroughbred industry right now and how it’s performing,” Thomason said.
There is higher demand for yearlings this year and they are being sold at higher prices.
So far during the Keeneland sale, which began Sept. 9, 2,313 yearlings have sold for $273,475,100, up 25.5 percent from $217,918,000 in 2012 when 2,370 yearlings were sold. The average of $118,234 rose 28.6 percent from $91,949, while the median increased 30 percent, from $50,000 to $65,000.
“I think we’ve seen a convergence of supply and demand. The foal crops have been going down for the last five years, so we have fewer horses,” he said. “… The economy is turning around a little bit and here I think we’re seeing the effects of those two things coming together. There are fewer horses for people, and when a good horse comes through a ring in a good economy, people are willing to pay for them.”
Two colts each brought top price of $160,000 on Thursday during the 10th session of the sale, which was marked by the continued participation of a diverse and enthusiastic crowd of buyers.
During the session, 291 horses sold for $9,038,600, a 129.6 percent increase over the gross of $3,937,500 from the corresponding session last year. The average price of $31,060 was 77.5 percent above last year’s $17,500, and the median price of $25,000 was up 78.6 percent from $14,000 in 2012. At this point last year, only one session remained in the sale.
The first top-priced yearling Thursday was a colt by Ghostzapper out of the winning Cozzene mare Island Lore who was sold to Cromwell Bloodstock, agent. He was consigned by Paramount Sales, agent.
The second was a son of Majesticperfection purchased by Hidden Brook, agent. Mill Ridge Sales, agent for Lanark Farms, consigned the colt, who is a half-brother to stakes winner Meditations.
Paramount Sales, agent, consigned the day’s top-priced filly, a daughter of Bernstein who sold to Cecil Seaman, agent, for $95,000. She is out of the Seattle Slew mare Euroslew.
Friday and Saturday mark the final two days of the Keeneland sale with sessions beginning at 10 a.m. both days. The entire sale is streamed live on www.keeneland.com.
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