Keeneland September: Book 5 starts with gains across the board

A $250,000 filly from the first crop of Army Mule led the way as the Keeneland September yearling sale moved into its final portion, Book 5, with continued double-digit gains.

Keeneland reported 325 horses sold through the ring on Wednesday, the first of three Book 5 sessions that close out this sale, for gross receipts of $12,929,500, nearly doubling last year's corresponding session. In last year's Book 5 opener and ninth session of the sale overall, 252 horses sold for $6,469,100, before any private sales were factored in.

Wednesday's average price was $39,783, up 55 percent from $25,671 at the close of business last year. The median doubled, to $30,000 from $15,000.

The buyback rate also improved, finishing at an outstanding 9 percent, compared to 18 percent.

The session-topping filly is from the first crop of the brilliant but lightly raced Army Mule, who won all three of his starts, including the Grade 1 Carter Handicap. She was purchased by Maddie Matt Miller, agent, from the consignment of Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency. Hill 'n' Dale stands Army Mule and also bred this filly.

The filly is out of the winning Henny Hughes mare Henny's Hurricane, dam of two winners from three starters, led by Amynta, a stakes winner in Panama. Henny's Hurricane, out of Grade 3 winner Amarillo, is a half-sister to stakes winner Crop Report and to stakes-placed Comarillo. It is the family of graded/group stakes winners Early Robusto and Government Corner.

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