Six-figure buys continue at sale

A $235,000 Orientate colt proved that there was still money on the grounds for yearlings Friday, late in Keeneland's two-week September yearling auction in Lexington, Ky. Friday's session was the 11th of 14 selling days at the auction.

Trainer Tim Ritchey signed for the session-leading Orientate colt as agent. The dark bay or brown colt is out of Java Gold's winning daughter Java Star, making him a half-brother to multiple stakes winner La Recherche. Gainesway, agent, sold the session-leader, one of seven horses to bring $100,000 or more by 4:30 p.m.

Thursday's 10th session ended with gains as buyers continued bullish spending for yearlings. The session-topping yearling was a $182,000 Hold That Tiger filly that agent Tom Gentry purchased. She is out of the Jules mare Julie Girl. Four Star Sales, agent, sold the filly.

Thursday's session sold 292 yearlings for $8,840,400, an increase of 4 percent from last year's 10th day, when 285 horses sold. The day's average price of $30,275 was up 1 percent, and the median climbed 10 percent to $22,000.

Cumulative figures through the first 10 days still showed declines, largely because of lower prices overall at the auction's first two select sessions. Through Thursday, the auction had sold 2,561 yearlings for $363,554,600, a decrease of 6 percent from 2006, when 2,601 horses were hammered down in the ring. The 10-day average price of $141,958 was down by 4 percent from last year.

The sale was to continue through Tuesday.