THE two-week Keeneland September Yearling Sale drew to a close on Saturday when the hammer fell for the final time after a dozen sessions, one less than a year ago. The average for the 2,745 lots sold was up 3% to $102,549 and the median was unchanged at $50,000. The clearance rate was slightly disappointing at 24% compared to 22%last year.

Eleven lots made $1 million or more, down from 13 in 2014 and the top price of $2.1 million was just a bid less than the $2.2 million high achieved twice a year earlier. Strong and steady were two adjectives used frequently to describe the trade. The top 11 lots were purchased by 10 different buyers.