Keeneland expands dates for September yearling sale

Due to a record number of entries, Keeneland has expanded the dates for its September yearling sale. The auction will now run over seven books from Sept. 13-28. It had been scheduled to run from Sept. 14-26, with six books offered.

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“We are pleased to report that we have received a record number of entries this year – more than 6,000,” Bob Elliston, Keeneland’s vice president of racing and sales, said in a company update issued Tuesday evening. “While we understand there will be additional withdrawals before our next deadline of Friday, June 12, we are optimistic of the confidence in our marketplace and are prepared to accommodate the demand.”

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In the update, Keeneland said that the format of the September sale’s elite Book 1 portion will mirror that of 2019, with a three-session book followed by the sale’s dark day on Wednesday, Sept. 16. A two-session Book 2 will follow. Approximately 1,330 yearlings will be offered between those portions of the sale. Books 3 through 6 of the catalog will be sold from Saturday, Sept. 19, through Saturday, Sept. 26, estimated at 375 yearlings during each of those days. A Book 7 will be conducted Sunday, Sept. 27, and Monday, Sept. 28, offering a total of 500 yearlings. The final number of yearlings cataloged to the September sale will be 4,830.

As farms begin preparing their summer yearling inspections for Keeneland September and other sales, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture has issued guidelines on social distancing and biosecurity in order to minimize the potential to spread the COVID-19 virus during the ongoing pandemic. Keeneland also had previously announced that it will utilize its video capabilities to support consignors and buyers in the event that the pandemic impacts physical attendance at the sale and viewing of horses. The auction company said that its broadcast services team will coordinate digital inspections for all Book 1 and Book 2 yearlings. Footage will be captured at farms during the sale prep period in order to produce consistent and quality video representations of each yearling, which will be accessible online for potential buyers. The Keeneland team also will provide support to consignors and owners of yearlings in Books 3 through 6 who wish to record videos or photos of yearlings independently.

Keeneland also is working to expand its remote bidding capabilities to adjust to the circumstances. In addition to traditional phone bidding, Keeneland is introducing a digital auction platform, which will debut later this month with a new select horses of all ages sale.