Keeneland September sale has something for everybody

The Keeneland September yearling sale is considered the bellwether for the North American marketplace, offering by far the largest number of yearlings of any domestic sale, at a number of price points. The sale is a globally essential marketplace that reveals how the American Thoroughbred is viewed on the international stage.

This year’s 80th edition of the sale has cataloged 4,198 yearlings in 12 sessions, as of Aug. 28. Last year’s sale came in with a similar catalog, with 4,147 yearlings cataloged to a sale that eventually finished with a record gross, average, and median.

For the third consecutive year, the format of the sale will remain the same. The sale will begin with Books 1 and 2, each comprising two sessions, before its traditional “dark day’ on Sept. 15. The yearlings in the first two have been judged to be standouts on pedigree and conformation. Placing them in consecutive sessions, with no day off, allows major buyers to judge the largest number of exceptional horses on the grounds at one time, and establishes market momentum. Following the dark day, the sale will then continue with Books 3 through 6, each two sessions, with no days off.

“Our sales team has worked hand in hand with consignors to intentionally construct a Book 1 designed to present the largest number of exceptional racing prospects possible,” said Tony Lacy, Keeneland’s vice president of sales. “We feel that, similar to last year, these efforts will produce a vibrant momentum that will ripple through the entire auction.”

While Books 1 and 2 will produce the bulk of the seven-figure yearlings, talented horses have historically come out of the later books of the sale. As just a few examples among this year’s 3-year-old class, Book 3 of the 2021 Keeneland September sale produced Kentucky Derby winner Mage and Belmont Stakes winner Arcangelo. Book 4 of the same sale produced Forte, last year’s champion 2-year-old, as well as Grade 1 winner Angel of Empire.

“The September sale combines a deep selection of quality yearlings at all price points with a history of producing horses that excel at the highest levels, making the auction a ‘must-attend’ event for buyers from around the world,” Keeneland president and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “We now look forward to the exciting prospects cataloged this year and to welcoming friends both old and new to Keeneland.”

More than 200 individual stallions are represented in the Keeneland September catalog, including four-time reigning leading North American sire Into Mischief. He is joined by Kentucky contemporaries such as Triple Crown winners American Pharoah and Justify, young phenom Gun Runner, and prominent stallions Bernardini, Blame, Candy Ride, Constitution, Curlin, Distorted Humor, Ghostzapper, Good Magic, Hard Spun, Kitten’s Joy, Not This Time, Quality Road, Speightstown, Tapit, Uncle Mo, and War Front.

International stallions represented include European Horse of the Year honorees and successful sires Frankel and Kingman.

Among the stallions represented by their first yearlings in the catalog are Horse of the Year Authentic; champions Game Winner, Improbable, and Maximum Security; and American classic winners Country House, Tiz the Law, and War of Will.