WITH just a single session of the mammoth Keeneland November Sale to go yesterday, turnover at this year’s renewal will be down from $202 million to less than $190 million, and with a slight increase in numbers being sold, the average will also take a hit.

Last year saw M V Magnier spend $6 million to acquire Stellar Wind, but this year the Coolmore man was absent from the buyer’s list. Lady Eli, carrying to War Front, headed the list this time at $4.2 million, followed by another mare in foal to the same sire, My Miss Sophia, at $4 million.

They sold to John Sikura and Steven Young respectively, and they were two of three purchasers to part with more than $4 million.

Katsumi Yoshida bought four lots for almost $4.5 million in total.

The six mares sold in foal to War Front averaged a staggering $2.171 million, while the half a dozen carrying to Medaglia D’Oro averaged an impressive $795,000. Curlin also had six mares in foal to him sold for an average $613,333. War Front and Medaglia D’Oro stood for $250,000 this year, while Curlin was $150,000.

Last year American Pharoah had his first foals sell at Keeneland and the five that traded averaged $416,000. No first crop sires this year made such a splash, though champion and Grade 1 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist had three weanlings sell for an average of $335,000.

Twice Horse of the Year in the USA, California Chrome’s first crop of six averaged just $109,500.

Another champion who did well was Runhappy. He had 14 weanlings sell for an average of just short of $150,000, six times his stud fee. Jonabell’s Frosted has nine representatives average almost $184,000.

Once again Taylor Made Sales Agency topped the list of consignors with some $24 million worth of sales for clients, and more than 250 lots sold. The Lanes End draft of more than 150 sales netted just shy of $20 million.