American Pharoah's yearlings highly sought after at Keeneland

Triple Crown winner American Pharoah wrapped up his first Keeneland September yearling sale with a strong average price as he continues to establish himself.

American Pharoah, a son of Pioneerof the Nile standing for the international Coolmore group, finished with 47 first-crop yearlings sold at Keeneland for gross receipts of $19,585,000, an average of $416,702 and a median of $320,000. His average price ranks him fifth among all stallions with three or more offspring sold at this auction, trailing only established sires War Front, Tapit, Medaglia d’Oro, and Curlin.

In keeping with his status on the racetrack, his figures are unusually high for a first-crop yearling sire. The next-highest average at Keeneland for a first-crop yearling sire belongs to champion Honor Code, who was averaging $228,095 through Book 4.

American Pharoah recorded three seven-figure yearlings at Keeneland September, led by a $2.2 million colt sold to Godolphin out of Grade 2-placed stakes winner Kindle. He is the second-most-expensive yearling sold in North America this year, trailing only the $2.4 million War Front colt who tops Keeneland. American Pharoah was also represented by a $1.4 million colt sold to Larry Best’s OXO Equine and a $1.2 million filly sold to Coolmore.

Throughout the sale, buyers continued to note that American Pharoah’s offspring not only resemble him physically but have inherited his famously mellow demeanor.

“Definitely like his dad – cool, calm, collected, smart horse, like a pet,” Justin Zayat, whose family bred and campaigned American Pharoah, said after signing the ticket for an $800,000 colt by the young sire. “That’s the thing about American Pharoah, he was like a pet, and all of his offspring are showing it. You don’t see any of them rearing up in the ring. They’re all very cool, levelheaded horses. They’re selling like hot potatoes. It’s absolutely insane. I knew it was going to be exciting, but to see the averages where they are and all the million-dollar horses, it’s unbelievable.”

American Pharoah’s yearling average for the season now sits at $474,755 worldwide. Counting last year’s weanlings, he has eight offspring who have fetched seven-figure price tags.