Written by Jessica Martini & Christina Bossinakis (with Trent Masenhelder)
Cover image courtesy of Keeneland
The Keeneland September Yearling Sale opened with a packed pavilion and plenty of bidding from a diverse buying bench, ultimately producing eight seven-figure sales, led by a US$2.3 million (AU$3.6 million) daughter of Into Mischief (USA). At the end of the session, numbers were largely in line with the figures from the opening session of last year’s record-breaking auction.
“We were all biting our nails a little bit thinking about being measured up to last year’s sale which was so phenomenal,” said Keeneland President Shannon Arvin. “But the numbers were very similar to last year’s numbers.”
“The numbers were very similar to last year’s numbers.” - Shannon Arvin
In all, 110 yearlings sold Monday for US$55,330,000 (AU$86,029,000). The average was US$503,000 (AU$782,000) – up just slightly from last year’s figure of US$500,833 (AU$778,600). The median dipped 11.11 per cent to US$400,000 (AU$621,800).
From 191 catalogued yearlings, 148 went through the ring and 38 failed to meet their reserves for a buy-back rate of 25.68 per cent. It was 20.83 per cent last year.
Tony Lacy and Shannon Arvin | Image courtesy of Keeneland
“It is really, really good,” said Reiley McDonald, whose Eaton Sales sold a US$1 million (AU$1.55 million) son of Into Mischief during the session. “It is running about 50 per cent outs to buy-backs, but the other 50 per cent are selling at 30 per cent above what they would have in the last couple of years. The upper end is really good. Where we are really going to be tested is the middle end and the lower end because that’s where I think the economy has been hit. This upper stuff is very strong.”
Sheikha Hissa made the session-topping bid in the name of the Shadwell Farm founded by her late father Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, purchasing the US$2.3 million (AU$3.5 million) daughter of Into Mischief from the Gainesway consignment. Shadwell had perennially been a leading buyer at the auction prior to Sheikh Hamdan’s death in 2021.
Sheikha Hissa | Image courtesy of Shadwell
“We are delighted to welcome her and her whole team back,” said Arvin. “Shadwell is about to embark on an exciting new stage and we love her passion for the sport and the horse. It was an honor to have her back with us.”
Monday’s top 13-priced yearlings were purchased by 12 distinct buyers.
“I think that’s very encouraging,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said of the diverse buying bench. “It’s unhealthy if you have one or two entities coming in here and controlling the market. I think it's important that people come in here and feel they have a chance of getting something. Because they are spending quite a bit of money and they are able to gain some of the best bloodstock in the world.”
“I think it's important that people come in here and feel they have a chance of getting something.” - Tony Lacy
While the buying bench was deep, the stallion ranks were dominated by yearlings by Into Mischief and Uncle Mo (USA), who combined to sire all eight of the session’s seven-figure offerings and 11 of the top 13. The only other sires to make it into the top 13 was Into Mischief’s G1 Kentucky Derby-winning son Authentic (USA) and Constitution (USA).
Hip 133 - Justify (USA) x Gaels Win (USA) (filly) sold for US$700,000 (AU$1.088 million) to Douglas Scharbauer | Image courtesy of Keeneland
Coolmore's shuttle stallion Justify (USA) had 10 yearlings consigned to the opening session; six sold for a combined US$2.31 million (AU$3.59 million) at an average of US$385,000 (AU$598,000). Justify’s top-seller was Hip 133, which realised US$700,000 (AU$1.088 million). Offered by Four Star Sales, the filly, who is out of the Daheer (Can) mare Gaels Win (USA), was purchased by Douglas Scharbauer. Dermot Farrington went to US$200,000 (AU$310,000) for Hip 184 - a Justify colt from the Group 3 victress Kissed By Angels (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). He was offered by Warrendale Sales. Farrington also signed for Hip 157 - a Not This Time (USA) colt from Hot Stones (USA) (Busin Stones {USA}). Consigned by Clarkland Farm, he fetched US$100,000 (AU$155,400).
