Home » 2,653 horses sold for $215M at this year’s Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale

2,653 horses sold for $215M at this year’s Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale

19 horses sold for $1M or more

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 21, 2016) — A total of 2,653 horses were sold for $215,213,000 at this year’s Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale, which closed on Sunday. Last year’s sale, which was one day shorter, accounted for 2,575 horses sold for $218,959,40. The cumulative average for horses sold of $81,121 this year was down 4.6 percent from last year’s $85,033. The median price of $25,000 was down 16.67 percent from $30,000 in 2015.

Sales included 19 horses sold for $1 million or more, highlighted by the $3.8 million paid for 2010 Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic (G1) winner and millionaire Unrivaled Belle, the most expensive Thoroughbred sold at public auction in the world this year, and the $3.5 million given for Group 2 winner Secret Gesture (GB).

“The November Sale reflected what we’ve seen recently: perceived quality or commerciality is well-rewarded,” saidBob Elliston, Keeneland vice president of Racing and Sales. “Participation by a deep buying bench comprising domestic and international interests was as strong as ever, with enthusiastic duels from multiple bidders who were willing to stretch their budgets for the premier horses. The horses of racing age portion of the sale also created energy and successfully attracted leading trainers and end-users. The money is here, but you must have something of value.”

During the first two sessions of the sale, which made up the premier Book 1, 18 million-dollar horses sold to 14 different entities representing major buyers from the U.S., Australia, China, Dubai, Ireland and Japan.