 |
|
| Staff Writer |
 |
As the prestigious Keeneland September Yearling Sale approaches, anticipation is building for what promises to be a stellar event. The sale, running from 9-21 September, has catalogued 4,407 horses, with industry insiders buzzing about the quality on offer.
Tony Lacy, Keeneland's vice president of sales, notes the palpable energy: "I think everyone in the barns has been very happy with the number of buyers that are here. I think that's been very, very strong. You've seen a lot of faces that have not been here in a number of years, and they're back and finding a lot of quality stock."
The progeny of Justify are generating particular excitement this year. The Triple Crown winner's offspring have been making waves on both sides of the Atlantic, with City of Troy leading the charge after his impressive victories in the Gr.1 Epsom Derby, Gr.1 Coral Eclipse, and Gr.1 Juddmonte International.
Lacy comments on the Justify phenomenon: "In our travels promoting the sale and listening to feedback, I think everybody is fascinated by how good this stallion is. He has been a revelation."
With 60 Justify yearlings catalogued, buyers are keen to secure their own potential champion. These yearlings, bred on a US$100,000 stud fee, are expected to command significant attention, especially from international buyers.
The Keeneland September Sale has a storied history of producing top-class runners. Recent graduates include Dornoch, winner of the 2024 Gr.1 Belmont Stakes and Gr.2 Jim Dandy Stakes; Muth, victorious in the 2024 Gr.1 Arkansas Derby; and Randomized, who claimed this year's Gr.1 Ogden Phipps.
Industry professionals are optimistic about the sale's prospects. Mark Taylor, CEO and president of Taylor Made, observes: "I feel like it's been solid and I think there's good energy from the buyers here, and I expect to get off to a good start and then just build momentum and get stronger as the sale goes on."
Last year's opening session saw gross receipts of US$57.7 million from 119 head, with an average of US$485,042 and a median of US$400,000. Eight horses sold for US$1 million or more, with an Into Mischief filly topping the day at US$2.3 million.
The sale's global draw is evident, with European pinhookers having enjoyed success with Justify yearlings in the past. Norman Williamson's purchase of a Justify colt for US$150,000 at last year's sale, which later resold for US$2,477,404 at the Arqana Breeze-Up Sale, underscores the potential value on offer.
Conrad Bandoroff of Denali Stud highlights the international interest: "There is going to be tremendous competition from domestic and European buyers this year. Justify has always had good support internationally, particularly from Japan, but if you have a nice Justify this year, that horse has a passport to attract the highest-end buyers the world over."
As the sale approaches, all eyes are on Keeneland, with the industry eager to see how the market responds to this year's outstanding catalogue. With a strong lineup of Justify yearlings and a host of other promising prospects, the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale is poised to be a landmark event in the thoroughbred calendar.