Keeneland September: California Chrome colt leads the way to close out Book 5

LEXINGTON, Ky. – An $85,000 colt from the first crop of two-time Horse of the Year California Chrome led the way as the Keeneland September yearling sale closed its Book 5 section on Friday as the sale moves toward its finish line.

A total of 256 yearlings sold for gross receipts of $4,396,800 during Friday's section, the second of two designated as the fifth book of the 13-session auction. Last year's Book 5 was a single book, with 287 yearlings sold for $5,313,000.

Friday’s average price was $17,175, which marked a decrease of 7 percent compared to $18,512 in Book 5 last year – the first session of this year’s sale that showed a decline compared to a comparable portion of 2018. The median matched last year’s Book 5 session at $11,000. The session's buyback rate was 24 percent, compared to a low 16 percent for Book 5 last year.

The session-leading colt by California Chrome, who counted the 2014 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes and 2016 Dubai World Cup among his career highlights, was purchased by Novogratz Racing Stable from the consignment of Taylor Made Sales Agency, as agent. Taylor Made stands California Chrome at its farm in Nicholasville, Ky.

The colt is out of the stakes-placed Wild Rush mare Dirty Rush, dam of Grade 2-placed stakes winner Rush Now. Dirty Rush is a half-sister to multiple stakes winners Britt’s Jules and Probation Ready, as well as to Grade 1-placed Social Probation.

Keeneland September wraps up with a pair of Book 6 sessions on Saturday and Sunday. For hip-by-hip results, click here.