Constitution colt leads Book 3 halfway through Keeneland September yearling sale

A $900,000 Constitution colt led Book 3 as the Keeneland September yearling sale hit its midway point with average and median figures on par with last year's record renewal.

The Book 3 sessions on Saturday and Sunday at Keeneland were the fifth and sixth sessions of this 12-session sale overall. To this midway point, Keeneland has reported 1,199 yearlings sold for gross receipts of $319,865,000. At this point of last year's sale, which had the same format, 1,242 yearlings had brought $327,909,500.

Through Sunday, the cumulative average price is $266,776, ticking up 1 percent from $264,017 at this point last year. The median is the same, at $200,000. Last year's sale ultimately finished with record gross, average, and median figures.

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The cumulative buyback rate at this point is 26 percent, compared to 24 percent at the midway point in 2022.

The Book 3-leading Constitution colt was purchased out of Sunday's session by Jim and Dana Bernhard of Pin Oak Stud. He was consigned by Knockgriffin Farm, as agent.

The colt is the first foal out of the Curlin mare Low Pressure Zone, a full sister to Grade 2-placed Virginia Eloise. Low Pressure Zone's granddam is Grade 3 winner Miss Macy Sue, dam of Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner and sire Liam's Map, Grade 3 winner and successful young sire Not This Time, and stakes winners Matera and Taylor S.

The Keeneland September sale runs through Sept. 23, with Books 4, 5, and 6 comprising two sessions each.

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