Historic Start at Keeneland as Gun Runner Colt Brings $3.3 Million

The Keeneland September Yearling Sale opened in spectacular fashion, grossing $69.2 million on Monday, with an all-time record average of $653,208. A total of 15 yearlings eclipsed the $1-million mark, underscoring the depth of demand and the strength of international participation that drove the market into explosive territory

The session’s top price showcased the exceptional quality of a Gun Runner yearling / KEENELAND

LEXINGTON, Kentucky (Special for Turf Diario).- The 2025 Keeneland September Yearling Sale began Monday with a bang, grossing $69,240,000, posting a record average of $653,208, and seeing 15 yearlings surpass $1 million. The market displayed remarkable strength, fueled by broad international participation and keen competition among top buyers.

“It was a fantastic day,” said Shannon Arvin, Keeneland’s president and CEO. “Our auction team is the best in the world. The energy was incredible—the pavilion was full, the back ring was full, and everyone enjoyed every moment. It was exciting and electric.”

Gun Runner Sets the Pace

The standout of the session was an imposing Gun Runner colt, sold for $3.3 million by Hill ‘n’ Dale at Xalapa to M.V. Magnier in partnership with Peter Brant’s White Birch Farm. A son of the G2-winning Thoughtfully (Tapit), he hails from a top-class family that includes G1 winners Furlough (Easy Goer), Dancing Spree (Nijinsky), and Fantastic Find (Mr. Prospector).

“We knew he was a very good horse, by a fantastic stallion and from a prolific family,” explained John G. Sikuraof Hill ‘n’ Dale. “After the million-dollar mark, all you can do is watch and wait; it’s an exciting process, and this time everyone stayed brave in the bidding.”

Magnier and Brant also invested $1.5 million in an Into Mischief colt out of the G2-winning Point of Honor (Curlin), consigned by Lane’s End. “He looked like a fast horse… hopefully we’re right,” said Magnier.

Flightline Emerges as New Star

The first major commercial test for Flightline (Tapit) as a sire was a resounding success, with three of his yearlings surpassing $1.5 million. The top-priced colt, a half-brother to G3 winner Promise Keeper (Constitution), was purchased by Japanese buyer Naohiro Sakaguchi for $1.7 million. “We believe Flightline has tremendous potential, and this horse fits perfectly in Japan,” explained trainer Makoto Saito.

Other notable Flightline lots included:

• Stock Rising, a half-brother to two-time Breeders’ Cup winner Golden Pal (Uncle Mo), bought by Resolute Bloodstock for $1.5 million.

• A filly from a classic family (Liam’s Map, Not This Time), acquired by Sakaguchi for $1.5 million.

Not This Time, Tapit, and Into Mischief

Other leading sires confirmed their commercial dominance:

• A Not This Time filly sold for $1.7 million to David Lanigan and Ted Durcan.

• A Tapit filly out of Breeders’ Cup winner Sharing (Speightstown) went for $1.5 million to Whisper Hill Farmvia Gainesway.

• A full brother to Maximus Mischief (Into Mischief) sold for $1.25 million through Mulholland Springs to the Eclipse/Bridlewood/La Penta/Warren partnership.

“Into Mischief is the king of sires in the U.S.,” said George Isaacs of Bridlewood. “We’re all here to compete at the highest level, win stakes, and aim for the Kentucky Derby.”

International Presence Drives Market

The strong international presence was key to the explosive opening, with buyers including Magnier, Brant, Sakaguchi, AMO Racing, Wesley Ward, John Stewart, and Nick Sallusto.

“We saw a very healthy market,” noted Tony Lacy, Keeneland’s vice president. “Buyers felt they needed to spend more to secure the horses, and they were willing to do it. That creates a fun, competitive atmosphere, which is exactly what we want.”

Taylor Made Sales Agency led consignors with $13.4 million from 22 yearlings, while CHC Inc./Maverick Racing/First Go Racing topped buyers, purchasing six yearlings for $4.05 million.

The only South American-bred yearling to reach the ring Monday was a filly by Quality Road out of Summer Rae(Equal Stripes), consigned by Taylor Madre, who was sold for $875,000 to Lauren Carlisle, acting as agent.

A Record-Breaking Kickoff

The 2025 Keeneland September Yearling Sale could not have started better: record-breaking averages, strong demand, fashionable sires, and a top-quality catalog. With Flightline confirming expectations, Gun Runner solid at the top, and Into Mischief holding firm, the battle for the next generation of champions is set to be fiercer than ever.