$260K Giant's Causeway colt tops Day 8

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Trade was lively even in a declining Thoroughbred market Tuesday as Keeneland's September yearling sale entered its second half. But figures continued to drop, as they have each day since the 14-day auction began Sept. 14.

Tuesday's eighth session ended with 274 yearlings sold for $9,744,700, down 31 percent from last year's eighth session. The session average of $35,565 was off by 32 percent, and the $25,000 median was down 38 percent. But buy-backs improved, dropping from last year's figure of 28 percent to 25 percent this year.

Tuesday's session topper was a $260,000 Giant's Causeway colt out of the multiple graded winner and millionaire Smok'n Frolic. All the Rage Partners bought the bay colt from Adena Springs.

Sold as Hip No. 2510, the colt was the first of three to bring $200,000 or more on Tuesday. Hip No. 2635, a colt by Sky Mesa out of Boardroom Scandal that the Lane's End agency sold for $230,000 to the Hartley/De Renzo pinhooking partnership. And Hip No. 2756, a Dixie Union-Icy Demeanor filly also consigned by Lane's End, fetched a $200,000 bid from W.D. North Thoroughbreds.

The sale was to continue through Sept. 28 at the Keeneland sale pavilion. Sessions begin daily at 10 a.m.