September yearling sale kicks off big fall at Keeneland

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Keeneland will be a hub of Thoroughbred activity in North America this fall, and yearlings have arrived on the grounds for the Keeneland September yearling sale, which begins its marathon run Monday and runs through Saturday, Sept. 24.

This sale, the largest of its kind in North America, is considered the bellwether for the North American marketplace, which got off to a strong start over the summer. Following the sale, Keeneland turns over the barn area to stables for its fall race meeting, which runs from Oct. 7-29. Following that, Keeneland is set to host the Breeders’ Cup for the third time, with those races Nov. 4-5. Simultaneously, horses will be on show for the Keeneland November breeding stock sale, which also includes a session of horses of racing age. That auction immediately follows the Breeders’ Cup, from Nov. 7-17.

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Keeneland has continued to make capital improvements to its facilities, including a barn renovation that resumed after a long pause due to the pandemic. Some of the temporary seating and dining facilities for the Breeders’ Cup are already in place and will be in use during the September sale.

“The success of September sale graduates combined with the availability of quality yearlings at all price levels make the September sale a can’t-miss event for horsemen from around the world,” Keeneland vice president of sales Tony Lacy said in a press release this week. “This year, we are excited to share our latest capital improvements and facilities around the grounds – from renovated barns to the saddling paddock chalet here for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships – and we are continuing to elevate the September sale atmosphere with fun touches and elements that enhance the experience.”

Including supplemental entries, there are 4,153 yearlings cataloged for the September sale, although some have been withdrawn. They are arranged into six books over 12 sessions, based on their perceived market attraction. Consistent with last year’s sale, which finished with records for average and median price, the sale opens Monday with a two-session Book 1, with action beginning at 1 p.m., followed by a two-day Book 2, with the sessions beginning at 11 a.m. The majority of the high-dollar fireworks are expected in Book 1, although last year’s Book 2 produced multiple seven-figure horses, including the $1.7 million sale-topper.

After a dark day on Friday, Sept. 16, the sale continues with a two-session Book 3, a two-session Book 4, a two-session Book 5, and a two-session Book 6. All those sale days begin at 10 a.m.

Plans often change for yearlings from the time of sale entry – months ago, in some cases – and cataloging to the time of the sale. Some breeders enter yearlings in sales to keep their options open while weighing the market outlook and the ability to race the horse themselves. As of Friday morning, there were 66 withdrawals from Keeneland September’s Book 1 portion, with the most notable of those a Curlin colt who is a half-brother to the unbeaten and unchallenged Flightline. Summer Wind Farm, which sold Flightline for $1 million as a yearling at Fasig-Tipton Saratoga and then joined the partnership that races him, now plans to race the colt. Also among the withdrawals are full siblings to Eclipse Award champions Gamine, Good Magic, and Vino Rosso, as well as a half-sibling to champion Malathaat.

However, there’s still plenty of pedigree power on offer. Looking at those related to Eclipse Award honorees alone, yearlings cataloged in Book 1 still include a half-sibling to 2018 Triple Crown winner and Horse of the Year Justify; a full sibling to 2020 Horse of the Year Authentic; a half-sibling to 2021 Horse of the Year Knicks Go; half-siblings to Accelerate, Arrogate, and Drefong; and yearlings out of Eclipse champions Songbird and Untapable.

2023 foal crop estimate: 18,500

The Jockey Club is projecting a North American registered Thoroughbred foal crop of 18,500 due to arrive in 2023. This represents 200 fewer foals than the 2022 foal crop estimate of 18,700.

The foal crop projection is computed by using Reports of Mares Bred received to date for the 2022 breeding season. These are asked to be filed by Aug. 1 of each breeding season, but The Jockey Club indicated that reports have not yet been filed for some stallions, and in a press release encouraged owners to do so as soon as possible, using its interactive registration online tools.