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$405,495,700 turnover becomes the highest in the auction history

The Keeneland September Yearling Sale concluded in Lexington on Saturday, with gross sales of US$405,495,700, the highest in Keeneland auction history, and September Sale records for average (US$142,429) and median (US$70,000) prices. 

Keeneland sold a total of 2,847 yearlings through the ring during the 12-day auction forUS $405,495,700 to best the previous record of US$399,791,800 set during the 2006 September Sale. This year's gross represents a 14.93 per cent increase over US$352,815,500 for 2,671 horses sold through the ring at last year's 11-day sale.  

Cumulative average and median prices surpassed September Sale records established in 2021. Average price of US$142,429 rose 7.83 per cent from last year's US$132,091, while the median was up 7.69 per cent from US$65,000 to US$70,000. 

Additionally, 114 horses that did not meet their reserve price in the ring were sold privately for a total of $12,725,500 to push total gross sales to $418,221,200 as of Sept. 24.

"This sale went beyond our expectations and reflects the energy and excitement in racing right now," Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. 

"We are grateful to our consignors, sellers and buyers for their support of Keeneland and the September Sale. And a special thanks to the breeders. We appreciate how much hard work goes into breeding and raising quality horses, and we are very happy they were rewarded for their efforts through the ring."

In addition to the record results, the unprecedented depth of the September Sale market and the diversity of its buying bench is reflected in the numbers: 

• 88 different buyers each spent US$1 million or more during the two-week sale. 
• 30 yearlings sold for US$1 million or more, the most since the 2007 September Sale and double the 15 sold in 2021.
• The US$2.5 million sale-topping Quality Road colt was the most expensive yearling in North America and the second most expensive yearling in the world sold at public auction this year. 
• The top 10 highest-priced horses sold to eight different buyers.
• The top 15 highest-priced horses represented 13 different consignors.
• 162 horses sold for US$500,000 or more during the sale compared to 138 in 2021, representing consignors large and small. 
• Demand for horses produced a record clearance rate of 82 percent.

"We are extremely happy with the way the sale went," Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. "We're very proud of having quality horses cataloged right to the end of the auction. For breeders, there's a lot more quality control in the system and we're at a point where supply and demand are pretty balanced. We are delighted for our clients and appreciate the support they've given us." 

Taylor Made Sales Agency was the sale's leading vendor for the eight consecutive year and the 24th year overall since 1988. Taylor Made sold 273 yearlings for US$38,969,000, including three seven-figure colts by Constitution (US$1.8 million), Quality Road (US$1.15 million) and Into Mischief (US$1 million). 

Gainesway was second in total sales, followed by Paramount Sales, Lane's End Farm, Denali Stud, Eaton Sales, Woods Edge Farm, Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency and Machmer Hall Thoroughbreds.

For the third consecutive year, the sale's leading sire was Spendthrift Farm's Into Mischief (Harlan's Holiday) whose 58 yearlings – including eight horses purchased for US$1 million and more – sold for US$30,495,000 (includes private sales to date).