Keeneland September: The World’s Most Coveted Yearling Showcase Returns with Historic Figures

Con 4686 yearlings en catálogo y un historial que respalda su condición de subasta más importante del mundo, Keeneland abrirá sus puertas del 8 al 20 de septiembre

Keeneland se prepara para otra Venta de Septiembre que promete / KEENELAND

LEXINGTON, Kentucky (Special for Turf Diario).- From Sept. 8-20, Keeneland will once again serve as the global epicenter of the Thoroughbred industry as it hosts its latest September Yearling Sale, widely recognized as the largest and most influential auction of its kind in the world. A total of 4,686 yearlings have been cataloged across 12 sessions over two weeks, with a break on Friday, Sept. 12—the “dark day”—and, for the fifth consecutive year, the sale’s elite offerings concentrated in Books 1 and 2 over the first four days.

Last year’s September Sale shattered records, generating $428 million in gross receipts for 2,894 horses sold. Thirty-six yearlings brought seven figures—the highest number since 2006—with unprecedented average and median prices of $147,926 and $70,000, respectively. This year’s catalog is even more robust, a testament to the industry’s confidence in Keeneland’s marketplace and its enduring appeal to buyers from across the globe.

“The September Sale is the largest and most important auction of its kind, and we feel a responsibility to ensure its success,” said Shannon Arvin, Keeneland President and CEO. “This is where future stars are found, like Mindframe (Constitution), the U.S. Champion Older Dirt Male; Ruling Court (Justify), winner of the G1 2000 Guineas at Newmarket; and many other Grade/Group 1 winners worldwide.”

The traditional format remains in place: Monday, Sept. 8 through Thursday, Sept. 11, Books 1 and 2 will present over 1,000 yearlings with elite pedigrees and conformation; Book 3 will follow Sept. 13-14; Book 4 on Sept. 15-16; and Book 5—split into two parts to emphasize Keeneland’s trademark depth of quality—will conclude the sale from Sept. 17-20.

In total, 2,398 colts and 2,288 fillies are cataloged, representing 189 stallions, including 1,400 yearlings from first-crop sires. That list is headlined by the much-anticipated first yearlings by Flightline (Tapit)—with 63 cataloged—and includes Corniche (Quality Road), Epicenter (Not This Time), Jackie’s Warrior (Maclean’s Music), Mandaloun (Into Mischief), Early Voting (Gun Runner), Mo Donegal (Uncle Mo) and Life Is Good (Into Mischief). Proven leaders such as Into Mischief (Harlan’s Holiday), Curlin (Smart Strike), Gun Runner (Candy Ride), Tapit (Pulpit), Justify(Scat Daddy), Uncle Mo (Indian Charlie), American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile), Kingman (Invincible Spirit) and Wootton Bassett (Iffraaj) are also strongly represented.

The strength of the sale is reflected in the racetrack exploits of its graduates: through Aug. 4, they had accounted for 232 black-type wins in 2025, from Saratoga and Del Mar to England, France, Japan, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. On a single day—Aug. 2—five graduates captured G1 or G2 events at major U.S. meetings, among them Deterministic (Liam’s Map), Kilwin (Twirling Candy), World Beater (Oscar Performance) and Seismic Beauty(Uncle Mo).

On the international stage, names like Dark Saffron (Flameaway), winner of the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen, and Ruling Court further underscore September’s position as a global nursery of champions.

Keeneland will offer live coverage of the entire sale at Keeneland.com, with bidding available via phone or online. For breeders, consignors and buyers alike, it’s more than an opportunity to purchase a yearling—it’s a chance to discover racing’s next superstar.