Keeneland closed a historic first week and raised its record of million-dollar yearlings to 65
Three colts sold for $2,000,000 headlined the fourth session, where another ten yearlings reached seven figures. Over the first four days, 633 horses were traded for $318,115,000, with Gun Runner as the leading sire
LEXINGTON, Kentucky (Special for Turf Diario).— Not even the transition from the select Book 1 into Book 2 managed to cool the market's feverish pace. The Keeneland September Yearling Sale wrapped up its opening week this Thursday with another hugely intense session, featuring three colts sold for $2,000,000 and a record 65 million-dollar yearlings in just four days of selling.
That figure shattered the previous record of 56 seven-figure products established over the entire 2025 sale, with nine days still left on the extensive catalog. The fourth session alone contributed ten sales at $1,000,000 or more, easily eclipsing the previous Day 4 record of six set in 2014 and matched in 2018.
The opening week—comprising two days of Book 1 and two days of Book 2—concluded with 633 horses traded for $318,115,000, a 3.41 percent increase compared to the $307,639,000 recorded during the equivalent period last year.
The average rose 9.61 percent, jumping from $458,478 to $502,551, while the median climbed 2.86 percent, moving from $350,000 to $360,000. These are formidable numbers for a sector of the catalog that assembled over 1,100 yearlings and concentrated much of the finest bloodlines and physicals on offer this year.
The week's top price remained with the Into Mischief colt sold Tuesday by Glennwood Farm for $3,700,000 to M.V. Magnier and Peter Brant's White Birch Farm.
The partnership comprising St. Elias, West Point, Lane’s End Racing, and Belladonna led all buyers, securing 16 yearlings for $13,925,000. Taylor Made Sales Agency dominated the consignor standings by selling 92 horses for $46,545,000, while Gun Runner (Candy Ride) emerged as the leading sire thanks to 42 offspring generating $37,790,000, with an extraordinary average of $899,762.
On Thursday alone, 216 yearlings passed through the ring for a total of $77,180,000, coming remarkably close to the $77,752,000 grossed by 233 horses in the fourth session of 2025. The average increased 7.08 percent, climbing from $333,700 to $357,315, while the median rose 3.64 percent, from $275,000 to $285,000.
“It was a very healthy market. Buyers are finding it very difficult to get what they want, though they are starting to close some deals now. The barns were extremely active all day. The demand is there, and the appetite for quality horses is sky-high,” summarized Tony Lacy, Keeneland Vice President of Sales.
For the executive, reaching 65 million-dollar horses represents a decisive indicator: “We well surpassed last year's record of 56. It is a very significant milestone and shows the heavy concentration surrounding the very best horses.”
Nevertheless, Keeneland is keeping a close eye on performance across different market tiers. According to Cormac Breathnach, Senior Director of Sales Operations, the RNA rate—horses failing to reach their reserve price—stood at 30 percent through the first week, three percentage points higher than in 2025.
“There were magnificent moments for many sellers, though a degree of selectivity was also evident. We want to see that rate improve and are looking at ways to bring it down,” recognized Breathnach.
None of that dampened his overall assessment: “The sale has been extraordinary. It seemed very difficult to top what happened last year, yet it is happening right before our eyes.”
The $2 Million Show
The first of the day's three co-toppers was a colt by Not This Time, acquired by trainer Chad Summers as agent for Al Gold's Gold Square.
Bred and presented by Glennwood Farm, the colt is the first foal out of Spell On You (Curlin), a half-sister to Triple Crown winner Justify (Scat Daddy). His family also includes graded stakes winners The Lieutenant (Street Sense) and Stage Raider (Pioneerof the Nile).
“We felt we found great value buying from Glennwood last year, so we went back to the well. He is a truly special horse, and they know how to breed a major family. They had Justify, Vino Rosso (Curlin), and so many other great horses,” explained Summers.
In a market leaving no room for speculation, the trainer considered him Thursday's standout individual and one that could have easily been placed in Book 1.
For John Gunther, who operates Glennwood alongside his daughter Tanya, the final price carried a powerful emotional impact.
“I don't know what to say. He was a beautiful colt, with that very characteristic rear end you see on the Not This Times. The reserve was way, way lower. We knew there was plenty of interest, but it's hard to believe he reached two million,” he commented.
“It's incredible. I'm out of breath and think I need to sit down. It's wonderful for my daughter, because Tanya works so hard, and for the whole team at Glennwood, who are fantastic,” added Gunther.
The result completed a memorable week for the farm. On Monday, Glennwood had sold another half-brother to Justifyfor $1,900,000 to Winchell Thoroughbreds.
The second $2,000,000 colt was also sired by Not This Time. Peter Fluor and K.C. Weiner's Speedway Stablelanded the son of Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Believe You Can (Proud Citizen).
Offered by Airdrie Stud, he is a half-brother to G2 winner Conclude (Collected) and stakes winner Believe in Royalty (Tapit).
“He's a male version of his mother,” explained Bret Jones of Airdrie, referring to the mare who raced as a homebred for his late father, Brereton Jones. “We all watched her grow up, and she's been with us for a very long time. He is pretty much the image of her, only bigger and stronger. He has class and everything you could look for in a sale yearling or a future racehorse.”
Marette Farrell, who signed the ticket, also saw the strong sire line resemblance: “He is made right in the mold of Not This Time and oozes quality. Many of his offspring share common traits, but I thought this was the most gorgeous of them all.”
The third top price fell to a colt by Nyquist, bought by the partnership of St. Elias, West Point, Lane’s End Racing, and Belladonna. Consigned by Betz Thoroughbreds, he is a half-brother to stakes winner and G3-placed Light Won Up (City of Light), out of stakes winner Factorofwon (The Factor).
“He was one of the clear standouts for us. He's by the right stallion, boasts a magnificent frame, and walks like a dream. He's the complete package,” noted Monique Delk, Executive Director of Racing Operations for St. Elias.
The syndicate was Thursday's dominant buyer, taking five yearlings for $5,535,000.
A Dream Afternoon for Mt. Brilliant
Greg Goodman's Mt. Brilliant Farm sold three horses for $1,000,000 or more, led by another son of Not This Time, purchased for $1,650,000 by St. Elias, West Point, Lane’s End Racing, and Belladonna.
The colt is out of Miss Exclusive (Unbridled’s Song), a daughter of champion Intercontinental (Danehill), belonging to an extraordinary family that features G1 winners Champs Elysees (Danehill), Banks Hill (Danehill), and Heat Haze (Danehill).
Mt. Brilliant's remaining million-dollar sales were a filly by Gun Runner, purchased by Dream Big Racing and John Wade for $1,500,000, and a colt from the final crop of Uncle Mo, secured for $1,000,000 by the session's leading buyer group.
Hutton Goodman and Bo Goodman, sons of Greg Goodman, were on hand at Keeneland following the action.
“Dad was on the phone with us the entire time. He loved this colt and his family. One of his core ideas was always to buy fast mares from across the globe, bring them here, and breed them to dirt stallions. Seeing this result shows his vision coming to fruition,” explained Hutton following the sale of the Uncle Mo colt.
Gun Runner Maintained His Spotlight
Two yearlings brought $1,600,000, including another colt by Gun Runner, purchased by Lauren Carlisle for an undisclosed client.
Consigned by Four Star Sales, he is out of stakes winner She’s My Gem (Into Mischief) and hails from the family of G1 winner My Conquestadory (Artie Schiller), alongside Kelly Kip (Kipper Kelly) and Runninsonofagun (Gun Runner).
“I loved him. He’s a beautiful colt and looks ideal to stretch out over two turns. Gun Runner needs no introduction. We had bid aggressively the last few days without landing one, so it’s a relief to secure one we truly wanted. We’re building a stable of colts,” said Carlisle. The yearling will be trained by Mark Casse.
The other $1,600,000 yearling was an Into Mischief colt purchased by Faris Breeding Horses. A half-brother to Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Serengeti Empress (Alternation), he is out of Havisham (Bernardini) and was presented by Taylor Made for Stonestreet Bred & Raised.
“Selling for Stonestreet is a dream for any consignor because their brand is recognized across the entire industry. Year after year, they breed top-class horses and consistently have runners in G1 races,” commented Mark Taylor.
The personal tie added a special layer: “We bred Serengeti Empress, and she is currently at our farm, so we feel a deep connection to this family. It was particularly gratifying to offer this colt.”
Taylor Made once again topped the consignor charts for the session, selling 32 yearlings for $11,060,000.
More for Good Magic and Life Is Good
In addition to the aforementioned Uncle Mo colt presented by Mt. Brilliant, two other colts reached the $1,000,000 mark late in the day: one by Good Magic and another by Life Is Good.
Donato Lanni, acting as agent for FRC, Starlight, and Madaket, signed for the Good Magic colt. Offered by Heartwood Farm for Stonestreet Bred & Raised, he is out of stakes winner Two Sixty (Uncaptured) and traces to the family of G2 winner Havnameltdown (Uncaptured).
“He's a beautiful horse. Good Magic has established himself as a very, very significant stallion. We are thrilled to add him to our program and see how far he can go,” stated Tom Ryan of FRC.
The Life Is Good colt was secured by CHC Inc., Maverick Racing, and Light Post Ventures. Consigned by Norevale Farm, he is out of stakes winner Cougarstown (Speightstown) and a half-brother to Group 2 winner Treason (Constitution) and Elevenses (More Than Ready).
For Leo Dooley of Norevale, the stellar start made by Life Is Good at stud was instrumental in making the colt the first seven-figure yearling sold by his farm at the September Sale. “The victory of The Good Life in the Hopeful (G1), alongside all those promising maiden winners, helped enormously. This colt always had a remarkable demeanor. From the day he was born, he was calm, developed beautifully physically, and never gave us a moment's trouble,” he explained.
The first week at Keeneland concluded with the market firmly established in a realm that seemed difficult to match following the extraordinary 2025 edition. Yet it didn't merely hold those levels—it surpassed them.
Friday will serve as a dark day for rest and appraisal before selling resumes with Books 3 through 5B, where the challenge will be sustaining strength through the middle and lower tiers. At the summit, however, the message was resounding: for the finest physicals and pedigrees, there is no ceiling in sight.
