Keeneland September: Quiet American colt tops seventh session at $430,000

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Keeneland’s September yearling auction kept the financial gains rolling Sunday as the seventh of 13 sessions rang up more across-the-board increases.

Sunday’s session was the sixth to post increases since the sale began on Sept. 11. The only session that has not outperformed last year’s figures was the second session.

The session-topping Quiet American colt sold late in the session and brought a $430,000 final bid from trainer D. Wayne Lukas, representing Bluegrass Hall owner Brad Kelley. Baccari Bloodstock, agent, sold the colt. He is out of the A. P. Indy mare No Knocks, a half-sister to champion Pleasant Tap and 1994 Kentucky Derby winner Go for Gin.

On Sunday, 292 yearlings brought $20,575,000, up 36 percent over last year’s total for 296 horses. Average price and median also popped up by large margins. The average price went up 38 percent to $70,462, and the median climbed 27 percent to $50,000. Buybacks were up slightly but still remained in “moderate” territory after stepping up from 22 percent to 24 percent.

Cumulatively, the first seven sessions have sold 1,325 yearlings for 7 percent more than last year at $186,405,000. Average price is up an impressive 23 percent at $140,683, and the cumulative median of $100,000 is 43 percent better than last year’s figure at the same point in the sale. Cumulative buybacks also declined slightly, edging down from 28 percent last year to 27 percent.

On Sunday, colts led the way. Immediately below the sale-topper’s price were a $300,000 Giant’s Causeway-Comeon Dixie colt that agent Ben Glass bought from Fares Farm (Lane’s End, agent) and a $280,000 Afleet Alex-Great Deep Bay colt that Joe Moss picked up from Ahview farm’s agency.

The session’s most expensive filly, and fourth highest-priced yearling overall, was a $275,000 More Than Ready filly out of Search and Seizure that Michael Weston bought from William Harrigan’s Miacomet Farm, agent.