LEXINGTON, Ky. — Vibrant trade during Tuesday’s second session of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale fueled increases in gross and average price, which were boosted by the sale of 15 horses for $1 million or more. The partnership of Sonson, Woodford, West Point, LEB, agent, spent $3 million, the highest price paid at the auction since 2019, for a colt by Into Mischief who is a half-brother to Grade 1 winner and sire Outwork and from the family of recent Saratoga juvenile winner Fierceness. He was consigned by Lane’s End agent.
Keeneland sold eight million-dollar horses Monday. The 15 horses who reached that mark today – increasing the total number to 23 – are the most for the second session of the September Sale since 2007. The momentum carried throughout the entire session as the first horse through the ring sold for $1.3 million and the second-to-last horse brought $1.25 million.
On Tuesday, 111 yearlings sold through the ring for $61,595,000, marking an 8.89 percent increase from the second session last year, when 106 horses brought $56,565,000. The average of $554,910 was 3.99 percent higher than last year’s $533,632. The median decreased 8.11 percent from $462,500 to $425,000.
Cumulatively, 221 horses have grossed $116,925,000, for an average of $529,072 and a median of $400,000. The total is up 2.87 percent from last year’s $113,660,000, while the average of $529,072 increased 2.41 percent above $516,636 in 2022. The median is 11.11% lower than last year’s $450,000.
The session-topping colt is out of the Empire Maker mare Nonna Mia. He is from the family of Fierceness, who won his Aug. 25 debut at Saratoga Race Course by 11¼ lengths, as well as Grade 2 winner and sire Cairo Prince.
Selling a yearling for $3 million pleased Lane’s End Director of Sales Allaire Ryan.
Mike Repole’s Repole Stable bred the $3 million colt, the session’s leading buyer, with 11 yearlings purchased through West Bloodstock for $4,790,000.
Gavin O’Connor, agent for John Stewart, paid $2.5 million for an Uncle Mo filly who is a half-sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Shedaresthedevil. Consigned by Denali Stud, agent for WinStar Farm Bred & Raised, she is from the family of Grade 2 winner Crafty C. T.
Coolmore’s M.V. Magnier purchased a colt by Into Mischief from Grade 2 winner Princess Haya, by Street Cry (IRE), for $1.8 million. Consigned by St George Sales, agent, he is a half-brother to stakes winner and Grade 1-placed Lady Kate.
Archie and Michelle St George’s Brookstone Farm purchased the colt as a weanling at Keeneland’s 2022 November Breeding Stock Sale for $550,000.
West Bloodstock, agent for Robert and Lawana Low, paid $1.35 million for a son of Not This Time, a half-brother to the Grade 1 winner and $2 million earner Bell’s the One and Grade 3 winner King Cause. Airdrie Stud Raised and Offered consigned the colt, whose dam is the Street Cry (IRE) mare Street Mate and from the family of Grade 2 winner Tap Day.
Two horses brought $1.3 million apiece.
Sinandigain Stable spent the amount on the first horse in the ring, a filly by Tapit out of Lady Take Charge by War Front, who Gainesway, agent cataloged. At Keeneland’s 2015 November Breeding Stock Sale, Mandy Pope purchased Lady Take Charge, whose dam is Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Take Charge Lady as a weanling for a North American record $3.2 million.
Gainesway was the session’s leading consignor, selling $11,310,000 for 17 horses, including five horses for $1 million or more. On Monday, Gainesway sold three million-dollar horses, including the $2.3 million session topper.
Larry Best’s OXO Equine paid $1.3 million for a colt by Constitution consigned by Indian Creek, agent. Out of the Medaglia d’Oro mare Solo Uno, he is from the family of Grade/Group 2 winners Tom’s Ready and Jean Gross.
M.V. Magnier paid $1.25 million for a colt by Gun Runner from the family of champion Queena, Grade 1 winners Chic Shirine and Brahms, Grade 2 winner Chief Havoc and Grade 3 winner La Reina. Consigned by Gainesway, agent, he is out of the Arch mare Special Event.
Four yearlings sold for $1.2 million apiece.
Peter Fluor and K.C. Weiner’s Speedway Stable acquired a daughter of Gun Runner from the family of Grade 1 winner and sire Dialed In for the amount. Consigned by Jody and Michelle Huckabay’s Elm Tree Farm, agent, she is out of the Mineshaft mare Mama Yay and is a half-sister to stakes winner Empire House.
A son of Into Mischief who is the first foal out of multiple Grade 1 winner Serengeti Empress, by Alternation, sold for $1.2 million to CHC Inc., Maverick Racing and Siena Farm. Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent, consigned the colt.
Selling to Hartley/De Renzo and BC Stables for $1.2 million was a filly by Into Mischief out of Silver Colors, by Mr. Greeley, consigned by Gainesway, agent. The filly is a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Eskimo Kisse. Her second dam is Racing Hall of Famer Winning Colors.
Selling to M.V. Magnier for $1.2 million was a colt by Into Mischief who is a half-brother to Grade 1 winners Gift Box and Gina Romantica along with Grade 2 winners Stonetastic and Special Forces. Out of Special Me, by Unbridled’s Song, he was consigned by Machmer Hall Sales, agent for Machmer Hall I.
Spending $1.15 million, Mike G. Rutherford acquired a daughter of Volatile out of multiple Grade 1 winner Love and Pride, by A.P. Indy, who was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent. A half-sister to stakes winners Bella Runner and Princesinha Julia, the filly is from the family of champion and leading sire Bernardini.
Two yearlings each sold for $1.1 million.
Donato Lanni, agent for SF/Starlight/Madaket, spent the amount on a colt by Into Mischief who is a half-brother to multiple Grade 1 winner Guarana for the amount. He was consigned by Gainesway, agent.
Selling to Shadwell Racing for $1.1 million was Star of Bombay, a daughter of Medaglia d’Oro who is a half-sister to 2023 Lake Placid (G2) winner Aspray. Out of the Galileo (IRE) mare Up (IRE), she was consigned by Lane’s End, agent.
Grandview Equine paid $1 million for a colt by Curlin out of champion Songbird, by Medaglia d’Oro. From the family of Grade 2 winner Ivanavinalot and Grade 3 winner Mico Margarita, he was consigned by Gainesway, agent.
