It was a safe bet that the Keeneland September yearling sale, which concluded Friday, would post improved figures from its 2020 edition, which was greatly hampered by the coronavirus pandemic. What wasn't expected was the level to which it would improve.
The yearling sale market shifts ever so briefly to Southern California on Tuesday for the one-day Fasig-Tipton California yearling sale that will be conducted at Fairplex in Pomona for the first time since 2019.
A $145,000 colt by Tapiture topped the session as the Keeneland September yearling sale continued to post double-digit gains in its penultimate session.
A $250,000 filly from the first crop of Army Mule led the way as the Keeneland September yearling sale moved into its final portion, Book 5, with continued double-digit gains.
A filly from the first crop of Collected sold for $320,000 to lead Tuesday's session as the Keeneland September yearling sale closed out its Book 4 portion with continued gains, moving toward its finish line with momentum.
A colt from the first crop of Mo Town led the way at $450,000 as the Keeneland September yearling sale moved into its Book 4 portion Monday with figures that continued to soar.
The team behind the historic Dixiana Farms sold its first million-dollar horse last week at the Keeneland September yearling sale – and, to make the experience even more memorable, did so with a yearling out of a sentimentally named mare sold to a longtime connection.
A colt from the first crop of City of Light sold for $700,000 and a filly by the stallion sold for $575,000 on Sunday at the Keeneland September yearling sale, both continuing a strong run for their young sire and strong results for the bellwether yearling auction, which has surpassed its 2020 gross sales.
An $800,000 filly by Curlin led the way as the Keeneland September yearling sale resumed action with its Book 3 portion on Saturday. After the upper-market Book 1 and Book 2 portions kicked the sale off with gains earlier this week, Book 3 posted staggering gains in its opener to continue the momentum.
After a strong first week to kick off its marathon run, the Keeneland September yearling sale took a breather with its dark day on Friday. The break preceded the three final books that sales officials hope will be strong – a prediction echoed by buyers who were bracing to continue competition in the bidding arena.
