Keeneland Rolls On Into Book 2

The Keeneland September Yearling sale launched into Book 2 with a marathon session Saturday that was largely comparable to last year’s first day of Book 2. 

“What was good about the session was that it continued on in the same vein as the first week,” commented Keeneland’s Director of Sales Geoffrey Russell. 

During Saturday’s session, 294 yearlings grossed $35,634,500. The session average was $121,206, down 3.9% from the 2013 opening session of Book 2, while the median fell 11.1% to $100,000. The buy-back rate was 22.6%–down from 27.5% a year ago. 

Through five days of selling, 767 yearlings have grossed $177,787,500. The average of $231,796 is up 1.5% and the median is up 2.9% to $180,000. 

The session, which began with a bang when the first horse through the ring brought $425,000, was topped by a $600,000 colt from the first crop of Trappe Shot. Consigned by Gainesway, the youngster was purchased by Juddmonte Farms. The top price at last year’s comparable session was $475,000. 

“The first horse through the ring was nice and then having the $600,000 session topper for a freshman sire selling very well–I think the top two prices in this session were higher than last year’s top two prices,” Russell said. “So there is good strength there at the top and plenty of interest all the way through.” 

Russell added with a laugh, “We’ve kept their attention late. Real late. The last two horses brought $250,000 and $160,000–it kept on going until the very end.” 

Saturday’s session, which began at 10 a.m. ended just at 9 p.m. 

Book 2 concludes Sunday with a session beginning at 10 a.m. The September sale continues through Sept. 21.