Keeneland Yearling Sale: More than 5,000 horses to be sold
Casual horse lovers and serious horsemen alike are sure to enjoy the Keeneland Yearling Sale, which will run Sept. 14–28 at Keeneland Race Course; 5,189 yearlings have been cataloged.
Despite the recession, 2008's yearling sale was Keeneland's fourth-highest grossing September sale. That 15-day event totaled $327,999,100, with an average price of $90, 984. Eighteen yearlings went for $1 million or more, including an A.P. Indy filly out of Chimichurri, the sale-topping horse. A representative of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum provided the winning bid of $3.1 million.
Keeneland's yearling sale dates back to 1943, when restrictions on train transportation associated with World War II forced horse breeders accustomed to shipping their yearlings to Saratoga, N.Y., to keep their yearlings closer to home. That inaugural sale included Hoopr Jr., who went on to win the 1945 Kentucky Derby.
Sessions will begin at 10 a.m., except for Friday, Sept. 18, when there won't be any sales. Keeneland will provide live coverage of the 14-day sale on their website.
September catalogs became available online on Aug. 11. The 5,189 yearlings cataloged for the sale consist of 2,662 colts, 2,524 fillies and three geldings. The sires include such distinguished horses as A.P. Indy, Empire Maker, Seeking the Gold and Unbridled's Song. Keeneland even provides an online guide for laymen on to how to read the yearling catalog.
Previous September sale horses accounted for 682 stakes wins in 2008 alone!
"The September sale is undoubtedly, too, where America shops for racehorses, evidenced by the fact that its alumni dominate North American racing," said Geoffrey Russell, Keeneland's director of sales.
- by Ivonne Rovira, Lexington Reporter for HelloMetro
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