Suddenly it’s sales time! I love attending the September Yearling Sales at Keeneland in Lexington, KY. You never know what you’re looking at the first time you see it. Justify, our latest Triple Crown winner, is a Keeneland September sales grad. Today’s yearlings are classic champions in as little as 2 years time. Be sure I will follow up with results, pictures and tales from the sales. For now, I’ll keep it simple with the sales stats and story.
The Keeneland September Yearling Sale is one of three sales held annually at Keeneland. The 75th edition is striving to be one of the strongest. With 13 sessions it will top 2017’s 12 day sale. The 4,358 Thoroughbreds cataloged exceeds the 4,138 head featured in the prior year. Last year Keeneland sold the top 8 high priced Thoroughbred yearlings in North America. The 2,555 horses sold grossed over $300 million dollars. With so many fine offerings, this year’s sale is set for success. In earlier 2018 yearling sales, first crop sire, American Pharoah’s, foals have averaged a price of over $600,000 each. There are an outstanding 81 of his foals cataloged in this sale. Tapit sired the top 2 yearlings of 2017, seen in this post’s photos, selling for $2.7 and $2.6 million dollars. In the 2018 edition, Tapit is represented by 97 foals. I am eager for the foals of Constitution, Strong Mandate, Uncle Mo, Will Take Charge and so many more hips in this sale.
The format has changed once again and is as follows. The sale will take place at Keeneland from Monday, September 10th thru Sunday September 23rd. Book 1 is held over the first 4 days, the 10th thru the 13th, beginning daily at 1 P.M. ET. The 14th is a dark day. All other sessions will begin daily at 10 A.M. ET. Book 2 is on the 15th and 16th, book 3 on the 17th and 18th, book 4 on the 19th and 20th, book 5 on the 21st and book 6 on the 22nd and 23rd. The breakdown is as follows by date and hip numbers:
- 10th – hips 1 to 248
- 11th – hips 249 to 495
- 12th – hips 496 to 742
- 13th – hips 743 to 989
- 14th – dark
- 15th – hips 990 to 1402
- 16th – hips 1403 to 1815
- 17th – hips 1816 to 2225
- 18th – hips 2226 to 2635
- 19th – hips 2636 to 3033
- 20th – hips 3034 to 3434
- 21st- hips 3435 to 3834
- 22nd – hips 3835 to 4184
- 23rd- hips 4185 to 4538
Check them all out here: Keeneland September Yearling Sale Index
What a sale! I’m worked up to catch some amazing sale toppers. 13 days of fine bloodstock should make for plenty of hot and high hammering. Who do you think will fetch the highest price? Check back for results.
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