Keeneland has already surpassed its entire 2025 sale total with three days still remaining

With $18,485,000 grossed this Wednesday, the cumulative total reached $511,680,500, eclipsing the $510,539,900 registered across all 12 sessions last year. The ninth session once again displayed robust gains in both average and median price

LEXINGTON, Kentucky (Special for Turf Diario).— Keeneland no longer needs to wait until the final hammer to know that its 2026 September Yearling Sale will surpass last year’s edition. With just nine of the 12 sessions completed, the auction reached $511,680,500 in ring sales on Wednesday, eclipsing the $510,539,900 grossed during the entirety of the 2025 sale.

The figure carries even greater significance considering three days still remain on the schedule, and that the ninth session was far from featuring eye-popping prices.

There were no million-dollar offerings or seven-figure transactions on the day. The two highest-priced yearlings fetched $250,000 each. Nevertheless, the market once again demonstrated remarkable depth, posting double-digit percentage gains across major indicators for the day.

On Wednesday, 295 yearlings changed hands for $18,485,000, yielding an average of $62,661 and a median of $50,000.

The average jumped an impressive 23.28 percent compared to the $50,827 registered during the corresponding session in 2025, while the median rose 25 percent from $40,000.

At this stage in the catalog, gains of that magnitude explain much of the general strength of the sale.

Since the September Sale kicked off on September 14, a total of 2,027 yearlings have been sold through the ring for $511,680,500—a 4.93 percent increase over the $487,624,500 cumulative total at the same point last year, when 2,074 entries had found buyers.

The cumulative average sits around $252,000, representing an improvement of more than 7 percent over 2025, while the median holds steady at $150,000.

Additionally, 70 yearlings have hit or exceeded the million-dollar milestone, compared to the 56 recorded last year.

“Surpassing last year’s gross ring sales total with three sessions still remaining speaks volumes about the strength of this market and the quality of the horses brought to the grounds,” explained Tony Lacy, Vice President of Sales for Keeneland.

Lacy highlighted the steadfast support from breeders, consignors, and buyers, leaving open a compelling question that now holds particular interest: just how high the final tally will reach.

The first yearling to hit $250,000 on Wednesday was a colt by Dialed In, purchased by Kimmel/Sallusto, agent for Thorostock.

Consigned by Highgate Sales, he is a half-brother to Sea Strike (Midshipman), a stakes winner this year at Saratoga, and stems from a pedigree featuring Kentucky Oaks (G1) heroine Keeper Hill (Deputy Minister) and G1 winner Clabber Girl (Alydar).

Kimmel/Sallusto also finished as the session’s leading buyer, investing $565,000 across four head.

Also fetching $250,000 was a filly by Army Mule, acquired by Gracie Bloodstock. Presented by Paramount Sales, she is out of Meetmeonline (Line of David) and belongs to the family of G1 winner and sire World of Trouble(Kantharos) and G2 winner Bucchero (Kantharos).

Two fillies landed just behind at $230,000 each. BC Horses and SB signed the ticket at that price for a daughter of Upstart out of White Mischief (Into Mischief), while Glassman Racing paid the same amount for a filly by Dialed In out of Meister Legend (Bodemeister), a half-sister to G3 winner Perfect Shot (Gun Runner). That same family features champion Pleasant Stage (Pleasant Colony) and G1 winner Nadal (Blame).

Another notable price was $225,000 for a colt by Flameaway, a full brother to G3 winner Dreamfyre (Authorized).

Bruno DeBerdt, agent, made the purchase on the colt consigned by Gainesway.

Gainesway finished as the day's leading consignor, selling 37 yearlings for $2,246,000.

Also catching attention was a colt by Yaupon, bought by John Ennis, agent for BC Stables, for $220,000.

Two additional entries rounded out the group reaching $200,000: an Army Mule colt bought by Golf 26/27, and a Practical Joke filly acquired by Jim and Susan Hill, descending from the family of champions Kitten’s Joy (El Prado) and Dreaming of Anna (Rahy).

While the blockbuster price tags are firmly in the rearview mirror, Keeneland continues to find plenty of reasons to celebrate.

During the opening days, it was record numbers of seven-figure yearlings and multimillion-dollar transactions driving headlines. Now, it is averages, medians, and sustained demand holding strong across every section of the book.

With three sessions still to come, Keeneland has already outpaced its full 2025 tally. The cumulative total of $511,680,500 has turned a potential milestone into a reality; as of Wednesday, the only remaining question is where the final bar will be set.