Maclean's Music colt tops Book 5 opener at Keeneland September

LEXINGTON, Ky. - A $300,000 colt by young classic sure Maclean's Music led the way as the Keeneland September yearling sale opened its Book 5 section on Thursday with continued gains as the sale moves toward its finish line.

A total of 305 yearlings sold for gross receipts of $8,827,600 during Friday's section, the first of two designated as the fifth book of the 13-session auction. Last year's Book 5 was a single session, with 287 yearlings sold for $5,313,000.

Thursday's average price was $28,943 which marked an increase of 56 percent compared to $18,512 in Book 5 last year. The median was $20,000, up 82 percent from $11,000. The session's buyback rate was a low 15 percent, nearly even with 16 percent for Book 5 last year.

The $300,000 session leader is a son of Maclean's Music, who sired 2017 Preakness Stakes winner Cloud Computing in his first crop. The colt was purchased by Cromwell Bloodstock from the consignment of Eaton Sales, as agent.

The colt is out of the unraced Indian Charlie mare Woodford County, who has not yet produced a starter. Her granddam, Looking for Gold, is a full sister multiple Grade 1 winner and prominent sire Seeking the Gold. Champion 2-year-old filly Queen of the Stake, Grade 1 winner Fast Play, and stakes winner Reviewer, sire of the great Ruffian, all appear on the catalog page.

Book 5 concludes with its second session on Friday before Keeneland September wraps up with a pair of Book 6 sessions on Saturday and Sunday. For hip-by-hip results, click here.