Keeneland's 2024 September Yearling Sale Becomes Highest-Grossing Auction In Keeneland History

Keeneland today achieved another milestone in its storied history as the 2024 September Yearling Sale became the highest-grossing Thoroughbred auction in the world following Thursday’s 10th session when cumulative total sales through the ring reached $405,519,500. The previous record of $405,495,700 was set during the 2022 September Sale.

This year’s 12-day September Sale began Monday, Sept. 9 and runs through Saturday, Sept. 21.

With two sessions remaining, a cumulative total of 2,326 yearlings have sold through the ring for $405,519,500, an increase of 4.34 percent over the same period last year when 2,392 horses grossed $388,649,700. Average price of $174,342 is up 7.30 percent from $162,479 in 2023, while the median of $95,000 rose 11.76 percent from $85,000.

“An achievement of this magnitude is only accomplished by a community of people who share a passion for their horses and the sport of racing,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “We thank our breeders and sellers for the tremendous quality of horses they brought to market and the many buyers from around the world participating in this sale. We are grateful for their strong support of Keeneland.”

“We enjoy collaborating with our customers to create the best sales environment possible,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “The amazing energy and excitement we saw surrounding Book 1 created momentum that continues to flow through Week 2 of the sale. With two sessions still to go, we’ve got many nice horses yet to be sold.”

On Thursday, 278 yearlings sold through the ring for $9,306,000, for an average of $33,475 and a median of $26,000. The gross is slightly above last year’s 10th session, when 289 horses sold for $9,276,500. The average increased 4.29 percent from $32,099 in 2023, while the median is 4.0 percent above last year’s $25,000.

Tom Tatum paid $200,000 for a filly by Beau Liam to record the session’s highest price. Consigned by Ledgelands, agent, she is out of Moonlight Kiss, by Malibu Moon, and from the family of A Shin Forward, a Group 1 winner in Japan, as well as stakes winners Wake Up Kiss, Wake Up in Malibu, Get Jets and Vow Me Now.

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A son of Caracaro from the family of Broodmare of the Year Glowing Tribute, Kentucky Derby winner Sea Hero and Grade 1 winners Hero’s Honor and Eastern Echo sold for $170,000 to Dr. Fawzi Bouresli. Brandywine Farm (Jim and Pam Robinson) consigned the colt, who is out of winner Paula Andrea, by Maclean’s Music.

Mulholland Farm, agent, consigned a colt by Global Campaign sold to Duffy’s Racing Stable for $165,000. From the family of Grade 2 winners Victory U. S. A. and Foresta along with Grade 3 winner Wising Up, he is out of the winning Paynter mare Bootsy’s Hadenough.

Kirk Robinson paid $150,000 for a colt by Vekoma consigned by Straight Line Equine Sales, agent. Out of the Bodemeister mare Bodie’s Flight, he is from the family of Canadian Horse of the Year Soaring Free and stakes winner Smartyfly.

Hat Creek acquired a daughter of Cairo Prince from the family of Grade 3 winner Roses for Debra, who is entered in Friday’s Grade 2 Presque Isle Downs Masters, for $135,000. Consigned by Hinkle Farms, the filly is out of Surfs Edge, a winning daughter of Malibu Moon.

Hinkle Farms also consigned a filly by Cupid who sold for $130,000 to Taproot Bloodstock, agent. Out of Make Haste, by Tiznow, she is from the family of Grade 2 winner Buy the Barrel, Group 3 winner Shivaji and stakes winner Tarabi.

Two yearlings each sold for $120,000.

Joe Novogratz paid the amount for a colt by Kantharos out of stakes winner Flat Out Charming, by Flatter. Consigned by Scott Mallory, agent, he is from the family of multiple Grade 1 winner Twice the Vice and stakes winners Gentle Charmer, Strategically and Burgandy Dancer.

A filly by Midshipman sold for $120,000 to Louis Dubois, agent for Wesley Ward. Out of Leveragedtothehilt, a winning daughter of Majestic Warrior, she was consigned by Blandford Stud (Padraig Campion), agent.

The session’s leading buyer was Kenneth McPeek, agent, who paid $281,000 for four yearlings.

Taylor Made Sales Agency was the leading consignor with sales of $758,500 for 30 horses.

The September Sale has two sessions remaining, on Friday and Saturday. Sales both days start at 10 a.m. ET. The auction is streamed live at Keeneland.com.