 |
|
| Staff Writer |
 |
The cream of North America's Thoroughbred crop is preparing to strut its stuff as the 81st Keeneland September Yearling Sale readies to kick off on Monday, 9 September. With a staggering 4,407 lots catalogued, the bluegrass state is bracing for an influx of the racing world's movers and shakers, all vying to unearth the next superstar of the turf.
Spanning a fortnight of frenetic trading action, the sale is set to showcase yearlings by the cream of the stallion ranks, with progeny of Tapit, Into Mischief, and Curlin expected to command top dollar. Siblings to recent Gr.1 winners and offspring of champion mares are also poised to set the ring alight, as buyers from across the globe descend on Lexington.
Tony Lacy, Keeneland's Vice President of Sales, is chomping at the bit for the action to begin, remarking, "The critical mass of high-quality yearlings makes the September Sale a 'must-attend' event for horsemen worldwide."
The mammoth catalogue is divided into six books over 12 sessions, running through to Saturday, 21 September. This carefully crafted structure ensures that there's something for everyone, from the powerhouse operations seeking seven-figure lots to smaller outfits hunting for value in the later sessions.
Previous winners of the sale have gone on to achieve racing immortality, with the likes of American Pharoah fetching US$300,000 in 2013 before his historic Triple Crown sweep. Other notable alumni include Flightline, who commanded US$1 million in 2019 before his unbeaten career culminated in a breath-taking Breeders' Cup Classic triumph.
In a bid to maintain its position at the pinnacle of the bloodstock market, Keeneland has invested heavily in its facilities. The Sales Pavilion has undergone a significant facelift, with upgraded seating arrangements designed to improve sightlines for prospective purchasers.
These enhancements, coupled with the ongoing construction of the new Paddock Building, underscore Keeneland's commitment to providing an unrivalled experience for its clientele. The improvements are set to benefit both the September Sale and future race meetings at the historic venue.
As the thoroughbred world's attention focuses squarely on Lexington, the international flavour of the September Sale is expected to be as pronounced as ever. With travel restrictions now a distant memory, buyers from Europe, the Middle East, and Asia are set to compete fiercely with their North American counterparts.
The cosmopolitan nature of the sale is a source of pride for the Keeneland team, with Lacy noting, "Our Keeneland team stands ready to welcome our guests from across the U.S. and all four corners of the globe these next few weeks, and we are excited to offer them the most memorable experience possible during their stay in Central Kentucky."
As the gavel prepares to fall on the opening lot, anticipation is building for what promises to be another stellar edition of this marquee event on the bloodstock calendar. With the potential for records to be broken and future champions to be unearthed, the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale is poised to live up to its billing as the world's most important thoroughbred auction.