Keeneland September Sales, photo provided
A colt by Majestic Warrior sold for $225,000 to lead a day of strong commerce during the ninth session of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
A large contingent of U.S. and foreign buyers was active on Wednesday, the second and final day of the Book 4 portion of the sale, spurring gains in gross, average and median prices. Keeneland sold 274 yearlings for $11,120,100, up 4.08 percent from the same session at the 2015 sale when 280 horses sold for $10,684,100. The average rose 6.36 percent from $38,158 to $40,584, while the median jumped 20 percent from $25,000 to $30,000.
Through nine sessions of the 13-day sale, 1,916 horses have sold for $259,841,500, a dip of 3.92 percent from the corresponding period last year when 2,076 horses grossed $270,477,300. The cumulative average of $135,617 increased 4.10 percent from last year’s $130,273. The median of $80,000 remained unchanged from 2015.
Bob Feld, as agent for Tommy and Bonnie Hamilton’s Silverton Hill of Springfield, Ky., signed the ticket for the session-topping colt. Consigned by Hidden Brook, agent, he is out of the graded stakes-placed winner Hearts On Fire, by Lion Heart, and from the family of San Clemente Handicap (G2) winner Wishing Gate and Regret (G3) winner Rich in Spirit.
A colt by Gemologist out of the winning Distorted Humor mare Whimsical Miss commanded the day’s second-highest price of $220,000 from Mike Ryan, agent. He was consigned by Cross Keys Sales, agent.
Ryan purchased two yearlings for a total of $380,000 to be the day’s leading buyer.
Whispering Oaks/Carol Castille paid $160,000, the day’s top price for a filly, for a daughter of Elusive Quality from the family of Grade 1 winner and sire Bodemeister. Consigned by Padraig Campion’s Blandford Stud, agent, the filly is out of the winning Dubai Millennium mare Kydd Gloves.
Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent, ranked as the session’s top consignor, selling 26 yearlings for $1,084,500.
The September Sale continues through Sunday with all sessions beginning at 10 a.m. ET. The entire sale is streamed live at Keeneland.com.
