April 27, 2024

Keeneland September surpasses $300 million in gross sales for first time since 2008

On Thursday, Keeneland September exceeded $300 million in gross sales for the first time since 2008

Receipts from Thursday’s 10th session of the 2017 Keeneland September Yearling Sale bumped the cumulative gross for the auction past $300 million for the first time since 2008.

With only two days left, 2,261 yearlings have been purchased for $304,265,700, an increase of 14.1 percent over this point last year when 2,215 youngsters had been sold for $266,614,200.

The $134,571 average has risen 11.8 percent on the $120,368 average through 10 days in 2016, while the $75,000 median has jumped 15.4 percent over last year’s $65,000 median.

Hip No. 3499, a chestnut colt from the second crop of Violence, brought the highest price on Thursday when selling to Wave’s Bloodstock for $180,000. Consigned by Valley View Farm, agent, the Kentucky-bred colt is out of the winning City Zip mare All About Allison, is a half-brother to stakes-placed Ali Blue and comes from the same female family as Grade 1 winner C. S. Silk.

Thursday’s session saw 255 yearlings sell for $6,557,100, a slight decline of 3.2 percent over last year’s corresponding session where 299 were purchased for $6,772,700. The average has risen 13.5 percent, from $22,651 to $25,714, while the median increased 15.4 percent, from $13,000 to $15,000.

The sale continues daily through Saturday with sessions beginning at 10 a.m. (EDT). Full results can be found at keeneland.com.