An Into Mischief colt selling for $3,700,000 capped another wild day at Keeneland
The second session of the Keeneland September Sale set a record with 23 million-dollar yearlings, bringing the two-day total to an unprecedented 41; Book 1 concluded with a gross handle of $151,400,000 alongside gains across nearly all major indicators
LEXINGTON, Kentucky (Special for Turf Diario).— If day one hinted that records were made to be broken, day two provided absolute confirmation that the global appetite for top-tier yearlings is soaring to unprecedented heights. Keeneland closed out its prestigious Book 1 of the September Yearling Sale on Tuesday topped by an Into Mischiefcolt who fetched $3,700,000—a new sale topper—while setting an all-time single-session record with 23 yearlings selling for $1,000,000 or more.
That brought the two-day total of seven-figure horses to 41, the highest ever recorded during the opening two sessions of the world's premier auction. It was an electric afternoon driven by heavy international participation, world-class pedigrees, and fierce bidding duels whenever a marquee prospect entered the pavilion.
The session's headliner was the aforementioned Into Mischief colt, secured by M.V. Magnier and Peter Brant’s White Birch Farm after a spirited battle that pushed the final bid to $3,700,000.
Consigned by Glennwood Farm, he is a half-brother to Grade 1 winner and current sire Mo Town (Uncle Mo) as well as stakes winner and Grade 2-placed Justique (Justify).
“He was a big, strong colt with a seamless, effortless stride and tremendous presence. Everyone just fell in love with him,” noted John Gunther of Glennwood. The breeder admitted he would have loved to retain a breeding share, though the sheer magnitude of the final price rendered that impossible. Nevertheless, he expressed delight that the colt will remain in the United States for his racing career.
The second-highest price of the session was backed by an equally distinguished pedigree. AMO Racing USA went to $3,100,000 to secure a colt by Gun Runner, a full brother to Grade 1 winner and stallion prospect Locked. Presented by Eaton Sales, he is out of Luna Rosa (Malibu Moon) and traces back to the prolific family of Gabby’s Golden Gal(Medaglia D'Oro) and Always a Princess (Leroidesanimaux).
“We loved him from the moment we saw him. He’s by a sensational stallion, and his full brother is already standing at stud, so we hope for a similar outcome,” said Ben McElroy, who signed the ticket.
For Reiley McDonald of Eaton Sales, the colt was a standout among standouts: “I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a better son of Gun Runner. He has a fluent, powerful, easy walk, along with an outstanding head.”
McDonald also captured the infectious atmosphere inside the pavilion: “The top-end market is incredible. When you have that many horses clearing the million-dollar mark, it creates a special buzz. Everyone is watching, wondering which one will be next. It was a genuinely fun two days.”
Another major stallion presence was Flightline, whose star colt commanded a $2,600,000 bid from Flying Dutchmen. Offered by Lane’s End on behalf of Summer Wind Equine, the yearling is a full brother to two-year-old Saratogastandout Powerline and is out of stakes winner Park Avenue (Quality Road).
His deep family page boasts Grade 1 winners Golden Ticket (Speightstown), Well Chosen (Deputy Minister), and Telling (A.P. Indy), along with Imagination (Into Mischief), Magical Feeling (Empire Maker), and Academy Award (Secretariat). Flying Dutchmen emerged as the session’s leading buyer, taking home five horses for a combined $6,000,000.
Two yearlings hit the $1,950,000 mark. Mandy Pope’s Whisper Hill Farm acquired a Curlin filly who is a half-sister to multiple Grade 1 winner and sire Mind Control (Stay Thirsty). Consigned by Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales Agency, she is out of stakes winner Feel That Fire (Lightnin N Thunder).
At the same price, Mayberry Farm landed a colt by Justify, a half-brother to Grade 1 hero Saudi Crown (Always Dreaming). Consigned by Lane’s End for Summer Wind Equine, the colt is out of New Narration (Tapit).
A pair of yearlings reached $1,600,000. Douglas Scharbauer spent that sum for a son of Good Magic, a half-brother to Grade 1 winner Kingsbarns (Uncle Mo), while a partnership comprising RTM Racing and Whisper Hill Farmlanded a Nyquist colt from the elite family of Cavorting (Curlin) and Clairiere (Curlin).
A Gun Runner filly, half-sister to stakes winners Waggley (Life Is Good) and Henry Q (Blame), went to Lael Stablefor $1,550,000. Offered by Taylor Made Sales Agency, the filly is out of Lunar Empress (Malibu Moon). Taylor Made finished as the top consignor of the session, selling 24 yearlings for a gross of $16,030,000.
Into Mischief continued to make his mark late into the day. Mitsu Nakauchida paid $1,500,000 for a colt out of Illiogami (Tapit), her first foal, while a syndicate featuring St. Elias, West Point, Lane’s End Racing, and Belladonna invested the same amount for the first foal out of champion Goodnight Olive (Ghostzapper).
The latter was bred by Resolute Bloodstock, marking their debut as a seller at Keeneland. “For those of us who grew up in Kentucky and in this industry, seeing a horse born and raised on our farm come full circle and go to such outstanding hands is deeply special. Even more so to happen right here on our home track at Keeneland,” shared an emotional Chelsea Stewart, CEO of Resolute.
Beyond the individual highlights, the macro metrics underscored the ferocious demand. On Tuesday, 111 yearlings grossed $79,630,000, representing a 6.25% increase over the $74,945,000 recorded for the same number of horses during the corresponding 2025 session.
The session average also jumped 6.25% from $675,180 to $717,387, while the median held firm at $550,000.
With Book 1 in the books, the cumulative gross reached $151,400,000 for 208 yearlings sold, a 5% gain compared to the $144,185,000 generated by 217 head a year ago. The two-day average rose 9.55% to $727,885, while the median surged 9.09% from $550,000 to $600,000.
“It was a magnificent day. There was tremendous energy and broad participation from both international and domestic buyers. Prices held strong and even trended upward,” analyzed Shannon Arvin, President and CEO of Keeneland.
However, Arvin noted one indicator the company will monitor closely: a buy-back rate that was slightly higher than desired. “It could mean some sellers are content to keep their horses and race them, but it also indicates that others couldn't quite find their market,” she noted.
Tony Lacy, Vice President of Sales at Keeneland, agreed that selectivity was present, though he highlighted the overall strength of the results: “Outperforming last year’s figures across most key indicators is very encouraging. These are sustainable increases; we aren't experiencing a temporary bubble, but rather building on a solid trajectory.”
Lacy also highlighted the strong reception given to the first crops of young stallions like Elite Power (Curlin), Cody’s Wish (Curlin), and Early Voting (Not This Time)—a promising sign for the sessions ahead.
Keeneland thus concluded its flagship catalog with figures that defied expectations once again. The global powerhouse buyers didn't just attend: they pushed their limits. And when top quality entered the ring, seven-figure prices ceased to be the exception and became, on an unforgettable day, almost second nature.
