Average, Median Rise Steeply on Day 11 of KEESEP

A total of 289 yearlings traded hands for a combined $6,626,500 during the 11th overall and lone Book 5 session of the Keenelend September Sale yesterday. The average of $22,929 represented a 31.9% increase from last year’s corresponding mark of $17,386; while the median rose from $12,000 a year ago to $17,000–a 41.7% gain. The session’s RNA rate of 15.5% nearly doubled last year’s 7.8%. The cumulative average of $112,785 remains up 3.6% from 12 months ago, while the median is up 5.2% to $60,000. A total of $275,421,500 has changed hands so far, compared to $277,578,100 in 2013. 

“Today was a bit softer, however when a good one comes up there, they still have a good following,” said Michael Hernon of Gainesway, which was the session’s leading consignor with 18 head sold for a total of $648,000, including on of the day’s co-topping $160,000 colts. “We’ve gotten a few horses into six figures, even though they are fewer and further between. But overall, I think the sale has been excellent and I think it augurs well for the forthcoming breeding season. Horses are in demand and people are willing to pay a bit more for them.” 

Consigned by Craig and Holly Bandoroff’s Denali Stud, Agent XXXVII, hip 3184 set the top price of the session early on at $160,000. John Brocklebank, Agent for Hathaway Thoroughbreds, purchased the bay. From the first crop of GI Jockey Club Gold Cup hero Haynesfield (Speightstown), the Mar. 26 foal is a grandson of SW and GSP She’s a Lively One (Lively One). He was bred in Louisiana by Avalon Farms. 

Brocklebank also purchased a $115,000 City Zip colt (hip 3312) and a $62,000 Pleasantly Perfect colt (hip 3250) on behalf of Legacy Farms Friday. For the entire sale, he has signed for nine yearlings totaling $836,000. 

The Gainesway-bred and consigned hip 3364, a colt by the farm’s Afleet Alex, was second to reach $160,000 during Friday’s session. The yearling was purchased by Chuck Zacney. 

“Chuck Zacney was the managing partner for Cash is King Stables, which raced Afleet Alex, and he is a great supporter of his progeny,” explained Hernon. “He purchased this colt on my recommendation–I had previously purchased a yearling filly by Smoke Glacken for him named One Smokin’ Lady and she was a good stakes-winning filly who earned over $260,000.” 

Also purchased for $160,000 at the 2007 Keeneland September sale, One Smokin’ Lady was a three-time stakes winner and was graded stakes-placed while racing for Cash is King. Zacney currently has approximately a dozen horses in training. 

The co-session topper is out of Tell Me All (Vindication), a half-sister to graded stakes winners Drilling for Oil (Giant’s Causeway) and White Crown (Secreto) from the family of Triple Crown winner Affirmed. 

Of the yearling, Hernon said, “This colt is a very well grown, well balanced, strong colt and a very good mover. He possesses a great temperament and demeanor, very much like his sire, Afleet Alex.” 

The penultimate session of Keeneland September begins today at 10:00 a.m. Visit keeneland.com for more information.