THE world’s largest yearling sale starts in Keeneland on Monday week, September 12th.

There are 4,147 horses in the catalogue for the 79th annual September Yearling Sale, which covers 12 sessions and ends on Saturday, September 24th. This sale is regarded as a bellwether for the global thoroughbred industry.

This year’s format is consistent with last year. The first four days will cover Books 1 and 2, which include more than 1,100 horses who are deemed to be the sale’s finest individuals, based on pedigree and conformation.

The aim of the format is to position the largest number of exceptional horses before major domestic and foreign buyers prior to the “dark day” on Friday, September 16th when no sale will be held.

Listening to buyers

“We’ve been listening to our buyers, both from the US and abroad, and they have expressed a desire that we put forward more horses which are top physicals early on, and so we have emphasized that aspect,” Keeneland vice president of sales Tony Lacy said.

Book 1 alone has yearlings out of 36 Grade 1 winners and 50 of the yearlings are half-siblings to Grade 1 winners. Almost 90 of the dams in Book 1 are graded stakes winners and 99 of the yearlings are half-siblings to graded stakes winners.

Keeneland president and CEO Shannon Arvin said: “Last year’s September Sale was vibrant from start to finish, resulting in record average and median prices and a record high clearance rate.

“This year, we look forward to welcoming back more international buyers who haven’t been here in a few years due to Covid travel restrictions.”

Top stallions

The catalogue has a total of 2,102 colts, 2,044 fillies and one gelding. Among them are 21 yearlings bred outside North America. Among the stallions represented are American Pharoah, Bated Breath, Candy Ride, Caravaggio, Constitution, Curlin, Distorted Humor, Flatter, Frankel, Galileo, Ghostzapper, Gun Runner, Hard Spun, Into Mischief, Kingman, Kitten’s Joy, Maclean’s Music, Medaglia d’Oro, More Than Ready, Munnings, No Nay Never, Not This Time, Nyquist, Quality Road, Speightstown, Street Sense, Tapit, Twirling Candy, Uncle Mo, Upstart, Violence, War Front and Wootton Bassett.

Among the first crop sires with stock on offer are Grade 1 winner Audible, multiple Grade 2 winner Catalina Cruiser, multiple Grade 1 winner Catholic Boy, multiple Grade 1 winner Divisidero, multiple graded stakes winner Enticed, Grade 1 winner Leofric, champion Mitole, multiple Grade 1 winner Omaha Beach, Grade 1 winner Preservationist, champion Vino Rosso and multiple Grade 1 winner World Of Trouble.

SALE INFO

Sale: Keeneland September Yearling Sale in Kentucky

Date: September 12th-24th

Lots: 4,147

Info: Book 1 on Monday-Tuesday, Sept 12-13th. Book 2 on Wednesday-Thursday, Sept 14th-15th. Book 3 on Saturday-Sunday, Sept 17th-18th. Book 4 on Monday-Tuesday, Sept 19th-20th. Book 5 on Wednesday-Thursday, Sept 21st-22nd. Book 6 on Friday-Saturday, Sept 23rd-24th.

Tel: 001 859 254 3412

Web: keeneland.com