Keeneland September Yearling Sale Sees Strong Growth on Day 7
A Day of Record-Breaking Bids and Spirited Competition
Yaupon Colt Leads the Way with an $825,000 Sale
Monday's session at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale concluded with impressive figures, driven by a highly sought-after colt by Yaupon. This particular yearling became the day's top seller, fetching a remarkable $825,000 from agent Donato Lanni, representing FRC/Starlight/Madaket. This single acquisition positioned the group as the leading buyer for the session, underscoring the strong appeal of quality bloodlines. Gainesway, acting as an agent, also played a pivotal role, leading consignors with total sales of $5,061,000 from 39 yearlings.
Significant Increases Across All Financial Metrics
The seventh session recorded the sale of 285 yearlings, generating a total of $32,941,500. This represented a substantial 9.41% increase in gross sales compared to the previous year's seventh session, which saw 279 horses bring in $30,107,000. The average price per yearling also climbed by 7.11% to $115,584, up from $107,910 in 2025. Furthermore, the median price experienced a notable 20% jump, rising from $75,000 to $90,000, indicating a broad strengthening of prices across the board.
Cumulative Sales Demonstrate Market Strength
Cumulatively, the through-the-ring sales reached an impressive $462,980,500 for 1,435 yearlings. This figure marks a 3.41% increase over the same period last year, when 1,495 horses sold for $447,729,000. The cumulative average now stands at $322,634, an increase of 7.73% from the 2025 mark of $299,484. The overall median also saw a healthy 12.5% rise, moving from $200,000 to $225,000, further solidifying the sale's success. This year, the sale has already produced 70 yearlings that sold for $1 million or more, a significant jump from 56 in 2025, reflecting heightened interest in elite prospects.
Highlighting Other Top-Priced Yearlings
Beyond the session-topping Yaupon colt, several other yearlings commanded high prices. Runnymede Farm, acting as agent, consigned the top colt, who is out of the stakes winner and Grade 1-placed mare Beautician, by Dehere. This colt's lineage includes Grade 2 winners Red Ruby, Crupi, and Lady At Peace, as well as Grade 3 winner Mo Tom.
FMQ Stables and Three Chimneys Farm jointly acquired Capriciousness, a Volatile filly, for $525,000. This filly is a half-sister to stakes winner Meringue and the recent Grade 1 runner-up Oscar. Lane's End, as agent for Messingw Farm, consigned her, and her family boasts Group 2 winner Michita and Grade 3 winner Thunder Kitten.
A filly by Life Is Good, consigned by Woods Edge Farm, was purchased by Good Horse for MorPlay Racing for $425,000. Out of the Haynesfield mare Haynesfest, her family includes Grade/Group 1 winners Varda, Overarching, Lady of the House, and Abscond; Grade 2 winner Cambodia; and Grade 3 winner Danse Macabre.
Maddie Mattmiller, acting as agent, secured another Life Is Good yearling, a colt consigned by Denali Stud (agent for WinStar Farm Bred & Raised), for $400,000. This colt is the first foal out of Dontmesswithjammer, a winning daughter of Candy Ride and a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Played Hard. His extended family features Grade/Group 1 winners Well Armed, American Patriot, Patch Adams, and Cyberknife.
Multiple Horses Achieve $375,000 Mark
Four yearlings, including two acquired by Three Amigos, each reached the $375,000 price point. Three Amigos' first purchase was a Corniche filly out of the Awesome Again mare Vitellia. This filly is a half-sister to stakes winner Arts in the Park and comes from a family rich with Canadian champion Mrs. Barbara, Grade 2 winner Smokey Fire, and stakes winners Utterly Cool, Ghost Fleet, and Flame Mingo. Gainesway acted as the consignor.
Three Amigos also purchased a Vekoma colt for $375,000, consigned by Lane's End. This colt, out of Malibu Cat, by Malibu Moon, is related to Grade 2 winner Value Engineering and Grade 3 winner High Velocity. His two-year-old half-sister, Malibu Dancer, had a successful career debut at Kentucky Downs on August 29.
Gracie Bloodstock, through its agent, acquired a Yaupon colt for $375,000, consigned by Gainesway. Out of Cherry Marie, by Carpe Diem, this colt traces his lineage to Grade 2 winner Lord Couronne and Grade 3 winners Derby Kitten, Cherry Jubilee, Traverse City, Lord Golazo, and Flower Party.
Finally, Alistair Roden Bloodstock spent $375,000 on a Life Is Good colt from the family of Grade 1 winners Awesome Humor, Emcee, and Constitution. Lane's End, representing St. Elias Stables, consigned this colt, who is a son of stakes winner Whoa Nellie, by Orb. His impressive family tree also includes Grade 2 winners Surfer, Boynton, and New York Thunder, as well as Grade 3 winners Secret Money, Marzo, and Jacarand