KEENELAND’S marathon September Yearling Sale broadly kept pace with the returns from 2013.

Last year represented a return to the good times for the North American yearling market and consolidation rather than further growth was the order of the day in September.

Over 13 sessions 2,819 yearlings were sold for just short of $280 million, which represented a near inconsequential drop in turnover of less than 1%. The average slipped by almost 3% to $99,312 but the median held steady to match last year’s record figure of $50,000.

The number of seven-figure lots dropped from 18 to 13 this year with centre stage occupied by $2.2 million sons of War Front and Tapit. It was certainly a sensational September Sale for Tapit whose standing as one of the world’s elite sires was illustrated by his 36 yearlings grossing almost $22 million and averaging out $603,472.

The $2.2 million Tapit colt was bought by Shadwell Estate Company while M.V. Magnier signed for the War Front colt who is a half-brother to a Grade 1 winner.

Just as he did at Book 1 in Newmarket John Ferguson led the way amongst the purchasers, picking up 22 lots for over $7.8 million.

BREEDING STOCK

The focus of the bloodstock world shifted back to Keeneland for the 11-day November Breeding Stock Sale which was characterised by strong and robust trade that pointed to a healthy thoroughbred market. There were 18 seven-figure lots, the median was a record equalling $35,000 and the sale grossed over $205 million which was a near 5% improvement on last year.

The sale-topper at $3.9 million was Aloof who won a Group 3 in Gowran for David Wachman in 2012. The Galileo mare was sold in foal to War Front and she was picked up by Mandy Pope’s Whisper Hill Farm.

Interestingly the 18 seven-figure lots were spread amongst 11 different purchasers while the increasingly influential Chilean outfit Don Alberto Corp ended the sale as leading purchasers for the second year in a row.

The November Sale also played host to a record breaking foal as a $3 million daughter of Tapit surpassed the previous high for a weanling at public auction in America which had stood at $2.7 million since 2006. She was bought by American outfit Bridlewood Farm. Elsewhere Fasig-Tipton’s high end boutique November Sale was an ideal prelude to events at Keeneland. The one day auction couldn’t keep pace with last year but still sold 23 horses for at least $1 million and the day’s trade returned a turnover of almost $53.7 million. A starring role was played by the Kentucky Oaks winner Princess Of Sylmar who headed to Japan after being snapped up by Shadai Farm for $3.1 million.