Keeneland September sale catalog smaller by 11 percent

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Continuing this year’s trend of smaller catalogs because of a decreasing annual foal crop, the Keeneland has cataloged 11 percent fewer horses to its September yearling sale next month.

The 2011 auction catalog consists of 4,319 yearlings, down from 4,857 in last year’s catalog. The 13-day sale, considered the most thorough gauge of the yearling market, will feature 2,230 colts and 2,089 fillies who represent 253 stallions. Highlights this year include dispersals by the late Edward P. Evans’s highly successful Spring Hill breeding operation and from the late Saud bin Khaled’s Chanteclair Farm.

Keeneland’s September sale will open with two select sessions totaling 211 yearlings on Sept. 11-12, starting at 7 p.m. Book Two will consist of 935 yearlings, cataloged in alphabetical order by dam, selling Sept. 13-15 starting at 11 a.m.. The auction will have a dark day on Sept. 16, followed by continuous selling, starting at 10 a.m., from Sept. 17 to Sept. 24.

Catalogs re available now online at www.keeneland.com, and Keeneland will mail hard copies the week of Aug. 22.

Keeneland will provide live streaming coverage on its website.