Keeneland September: Strong middle market closes Book 3

Book 3 of the Keeneland September yearling sale continued a strong showing by the middle market, wrapping on Tuesday with sizable improvements in gross, average and median compared with last year’s eighth session.

A total of 298 horses were sold on Tuesday, grossing $18,562,000. The performance marked a 13 percent improvement compared with the same session in 2013, when 303 horses brought $16,383,000.

The average sale price rose 15 percent, from $54,069 to $62,289, while the median increased 11 percent, from $45,000 to $50,000. The buyback rate rose from 16 percent during last year’s comparable session to 18 percent on Tuesday.

Ben Glass, buying for prominent owners Gary and Mary West, purchased the session-topper, an Exchange Rate colt, for $280,000.

The dark bay or brown colt is out of the stakes-placed Dynaformer mare Perfectforthepart. He is a full sibling to Sunset Glow, who won the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante last month.

Bred in Kentucky by Gayla Rankin/GLR Ranch, the session-topping colt is from the family of Grade 1 winner Andestine, Grade 2 winner Regal Falcon, and Grade 3 winner Against the Snow. He was consigned by Four Star Sales, agent.

Second-crop sire Super Saver led all sires by gross sales during Tuesday’s session, with six yearlings bringing a total of $750,000. The resident of WinStar Farm was also the session’s second-leading sire by average sale price with three or more foals sold, at $125,000.

The eighth session’s top sire by average price was Adena Springs stallion Macho Uno, whose three foals to sell on Tuesday brought an average of $136,667.

Taylor Made Sales Agency was the session’s leading consignor by gross, with 41 yearlings sold for a combined $2,366,000. Finishing atop the group was a $190,000 Tizway colt that sold to Shortleaf Stable.

Glass, as agent for the Wests, was Tuesday’s biggest buyer with three purchases totaling $765,000. He signed the ticket on the top two horses of the session, also going to $260,000 to secure a Super Saver colt.

After eight sessions, a total of 1,588 horses have sold for revenues of $245,951,500, down 3 percent compared with the sale at the same point last year, when 1,711 horses had brought $253,257,000.

The cumulative average price through the end of Tuesday’s session was $154,881, up 5 percent from $148,017 in 2013, while the median also rose 5 percent, from $95,000 to $100,000. The buyback rate rose from 24 percent to 25 percent.

Wednesday’s session kicks off Book 4 of the six-book auction. The Keeneland September sale will continue daily until Sunday, Sept. 21, beginning each day at 10 a.m. Eastern.

For hip-by-hip results, click here.

Keeneland September yearling sale, eighth session results:

Year	Sold	Gross	Average	Median	Buyback
2014	298 (-2%)	$18,562,000 (+13%)	$62,289 (+15%)	$50,000 (+11%)	18%
2013	303	$16,383,000	$54,069	$45,000	16%