Keeneland sale hits all the high notes
Keeneland drastically changed the blueprint for the 2017 renewal of its flagship September yearling sale, and by just about any tangible measurement, it was a success.
Joe NevillsSep 25, 2017
Keeneland drastically changed the blueprint for the 2017 renewal of its flagship September yearling sale, and by just about any tangible measurement, it was a success.
Bernardini and Medaglia d'Oro have both emerged as standout filly sires of the past decade. It stands to reason that the pair, both based at Darley's Kentucky farm, would be poised to become standout broodmare sires, in turn. Buyers put stock in those genes at the Keeneland September sale, as each was represented by two daughters with yearlings among the top 20 prices.
In a group of first-year yearling sires with accomplished racetrack careers, champion Will Take Charge and multiple graded stakes winner Cairo Prince continued as the commercial leaders of the class as they were tested through various market levels at the Keeneland September yearling sale. Will Take Charge finished as the leading first-crop sire by gross, while Cairo Prince finished as the leading Kentucky first-crop sire by average.
Record-setting leading sire Tapit outslugged familiar commercial rival War Front to rank as Keeneland September's leading sire by average sale price for the third time in his career.
A sense of urgency has been apparent this yearling sales season to acquire offerings from Scat Daddy's final crop. That demand reached a pitch at Keeneland September, propelling the late stallion into position as the marathon auction's leading sire by gross sales.
Keeneland drastically changed the blueprint for the 2017 renewal of its flagship September yearling sale, and by just about any tangible measurement, it was a success. The North American Thoroughbred industry’s bellwether yearling auction posted record average and median sale prices, and surpassed $300 million in revenues for the first time since 2008, topped by a $2.7-million Tapit filly.
After gains through the first five books of the Keeneland September yearling sale, the marathon auction began its final run with the Book 6 opener on Friday, and found continued buoyancy in the low end of the market.
Duncan and DeeDee Lloyd proved themselves good at presentation in their return to consignment, and were rewarded Thursday at Keeneland September by putting the session-topper through the ring – a $180,000 Violence colt who sold to Waves Bloodstock.
Book 5 of the Keeneland September yearling sale concluded on Thursday showing that the market heading into its lower-middle levels was not only still buoyant, but bustling.
Grade 1 winner Al’s Gal will be entered in the Keeneland November breeding stock sale, offered in foal to Medaglia d’Oro. The 6-year-old English Channel mare will be consigned by James Keogh as agent.