With two sessions to go, Keeneland September sets record for gross sales

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Led by a $290,000 Girvin colt, the yearlings sold Thursday at the Keeneland September yearling sale pushed the auction to a record gross, with two sessions remaining in its run this week.

Ten of the 12 sessions of this Keeneland September sale, representing five books, are now complete, with Keeneland reporting 2,488 horses sold through the ring for gross receipts of $399,940,000. That eclipses the record gross of $399,791,800 established during the 2006 Keeneland September sale, which took place over 14 sessions.

“This milestone was achieved through the persistence, energy, and hard work of a community that includes our breeders, sellers, and buyers, and we are grateful for their passion for the horse, and for their support of Keeneland,” Keeneland president Shannon Arvin said.

True session-to-session comparisons are difficult in the final days of this sale. While this year's renewal will finish with a two-session Book 6 on Friday and Saturday, last year's sale concluded with a three-session Book 5 - which had slightly more horses cataloged in its individual sessions than this year's corresponding book, although the sale will offer more horses overall.

The cumulative average price for Keeneland September currently sits at $160,748, trending upward 12 percent from $143,693 through 10 sessions last year. The median is up 13 percent, at $85,000 from $75,000.

The 2021 sale ultimately finished with a record average of $130,698, and record median of $65,000.

The current cumulative buyback rate for the September sale is 19 percent, compared to 20 percent at this point last year.

The Girvin colt who led the record-eclipsing session was purchased by Vinne Viola's St. Elias Stables, with Michael Wallace acting as agent. Grade 1 winner Girvin's freshman crop on the track this season had found success, led by Grade 2 winner Damon's Mound and stakes winner Devious Dame. The stallion recently moved from Florida to Kentucky for 2023 as a result of his early results and popularity.

The session-leading colt, consigned by Brookdale Sales, as agent, is out of the stakes-placed Into Mischief mare Into Summer. This is the immediate family of multiple graded stakes winner Summer Wind Dancer.

The Girvin colt's price to lead Book 5 overall surpasses the Book 5 topper last year. In the three final days of the 2021 sale, the session toppers were sold for $250,000, $145,000, and $120,000, respectively. The September sale will now look to finish strong in Book 6.

“Book 1’s tremendous success created momentum that carried forward through the sale and continues into the upcoming final days," Keeneland vice president of sales Tony Lacy said. "With two sessions still to go, we’ve got many nice horses yet to be sold.”

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