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| Staff Writer |
Keeneland, the prestigious American auction house, is preparing to welcome buyers from around the globe for its 2024 September Yearling Sale, with a staggering 4,396 horses catalogued over 12 sessions from 9-21 September.
The sale, internationally recognised as a source of top-class Thoroughbreds, has already produced several Group One winners in 2024, including Arthur's Ride (Gr.1 Whitney), Leslie's Rose (Gr.1 Central Bank Ashland), and Newgate (Gr.1 Santa Anita Handicap Presented by Yaamava' Resort & Casino).
Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said, "This time of year energises Keeneland and our entire industry as we prepare to showcase an outstanding collection of quality yearlings and welcome many domestic and international horsemen and horsewomen to Lexington to participate in a vibrant marketplace unlike anything in the world."
The format remains consistent for the fourth consecutive year, with Book 1 kicking off proceedings on 9-10 September. Each day's catalogue in Book 1 features 176 yearlings, with sessions beginning at 1 p.m. ET.
Book 2 follows on 11-12 September, offering 380 horses on Wednesday and 372 on Thursday. A dark day on Friday, 13 September, allows buyers to regroup before the sale continues with Book 3 on 14-15 September.
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Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy explains the sale's broad appeal, "Spanning two weeks and six books, the September Sale caters to buyers at every level, offering yearlings that fit various price points in each session. As the quality of entries continues to rise, so does the competition."
The catalogue boasts yearlings by 187 of the world's most prominent and emerging stallions, including American Pharoah, Authentic, Dubawi, Into Mischief, Justify, and Tapit.
Exciting first-crop sires with yearlings in the sale include Horse of the Year Knicks Go, champion Essential Quality, and Group One winners Charlatan, Maxfield, and Yaupon.
The September Sale's reputation for producing top-class runners continues to grow. In addition to the aforementioned Group One winners, 2024 has seen success for graduates across all books: Dornoch (Book 2) - Winner of the Gr.1 Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets and Gr.1 NYRA Bets Haskell; Randomized (Book 2) - Winner of the Gr.1 Ogden Phipps Presented by Ford; Vahva (Book 3) - Winner of the Gr.1 Derby City Distaff Presented by Kendall-Jackson Winery; Muth (Book 4) - Winner of the Gr.1 Arkansas Derby; Du Jour (Book 5) - Winner of the Gr.1 Frank E. Kilroe Mile; Tuz (Book 6) - Winner of the Gr.1 Dubai Golden Shaheen.
Through 4 August 2024, graduates of the September Sale have won 210 stakes around the world, with notable victories across North America as well as in England, Ireland, France, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, and the United Arab Emirates.
At the prestigious Del Mar and Saratoga summer meets, September Sale graduates have accounted for 11 stakes wins, further boosting confidence ahead of the auction.
Del Mar stakes winners include Dr. Venkman (Gr.2 San Diego), Iscreamuscream (Gr.2 San Clemente), Ag Bullet (Osunitas), Formidable Man (Caesars Sportsbook Oceanside), and Miss Justify (Wilton).
Saratoga has seen success for Arthur's Ride, Film Star (Lure), Neat (Gr.2 National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame), Pounce (Gr.3 Lake George), Raging Sea (Gr.3 Shuvee), and Unmatched Wisdom (Curlin).
The 2023 sale saw record prices in later books, with top-priced yearlings in Session 8 and Session 12 each posting all-time highs for their respective sessions. This trend has fuelled optimism for strong trade throughout the 2024 auction.
Lacy said, "Last year, we were excited to see prominent buyers signing tickets not only on the first day of the sale but through to the final day."
The September Sale's recent history includes producing multiple Kentucky Derby winners, an Epsom Derby winner, an American Horse of the Year, and a Triple Crown winner. In 2019, the sale achieved a record single-lot price of US$8.2 million for a filly by Triple Crown winner American Pharoah.
Keeneland will livestream the entire September Sale at Keeneland.com, with online and phone bidding available. With the sale's reputation for quality and diversity, this accessibility is expected to attract a significant international buying bench.
The Keeneland September Sale is not just a pivotal event for the Thoroughbred industry; it also provides a significant economic boost to the Lexington area and the state of Kentucky. Hotels, restaurants, and local businesses all benefit from the influx of visitors during the sale period.
Moreover, the sale serves as a barometer for the health of the Thoroughbred breeding industry. Strong results can indicate confidence in the market and potentially influence breeding decisions for the following season.
In the weeks leading up to the sale, consignors are busy preparing their yearlings for the spotlight. This includes not only improving physical conditioning but also acclimatising the young horses to the sales environment.
Mark Taylor of Taylor Made Sales Agency, one of the leading consignors at Keeneland, commented, "We start prepping these horses months in advance. It's not just about their physical appearance; we're also focused on their mental preparation. We want them to be confident and composed when they enter the sales ring."
While the immediate focus is on the upcoming sale, many industry insiders are already looking ahead to the future careers of these yearlings. Bob Baffert, a regular buyer at the September Sale and trainer of multiple classic winners, notes, "You're always hoping to find that next superstar. The excitement of seeing these young horses and imagining their potential never gets old."
The 2024 catalogue also reflects broader industry trends, including an increased focus on soundness and durability. Many buyers pay a premium on yearlings with strong, classic-oriented pedigrees, suggesting the potential for long, successful racing careers.
As the Thoroughbred industry looks towards the future, all eyes will be on Lexington this September. With its proven track record of producing champions and ability to cater to buyers at all market levels, the Keeneland September Yearling Sale remains an unmissable event on the global racing calendar.
The combination of elite pedigrees, potential future stars, and the electric atmosphere of a world-class auction makes the Keeneland September Sale a true spectacle of the Thoroughbred world. As the countdown to the first hammer fall begins, the anticipation among breeders, owners, and racing fans continues to build.