Nyquist colt fetches $1,200,000 during the sixth session at Keeneland September

At Keeneland, the market remains red-hot and, with Book 3 concluded, gross sales have already surpassed $430,000,000

LEXINGTON, Kentucky (Special for Turf Diario).— Book 3 has concluded, and Keeneland continues to press forward without showing any significant signs of slowing down. The September Yearling Sale wrapped up its sixth day this Sunday with figures once again surpassing those from 2025, pushing the cumulative gross past $430 million and adding another offering to a record-setting list of seven-figure transactions.

The session generated $50,852,000 for 262 yearlings sold through the ring, representing a 5.54 percent increase compared to the $48,184,000 produced by 267 head during the corresponding session last year.

The average also maintained its upward trajectory, rising from $180,464 to $194,092, a 7.55 percent improvement. The median, on the other hand, held steady at $150,000.

The session topper reached $1,200,000, featuring a colt by Nyquist acquired by Donato Lanni, agent for FRC/Starlight/Madaket.

He was the sole seven-figure yearling of Sunday’s session, bringing the total number of yearlings sold for $1,000,000 or more to 70 since the auction opened on September 14. At the same point in 2025, that count stood at 56.

Nyquist Makes His Presence Felt Again

Consigned by Four Star Sales, the session leader is out of Alexandria, a stakes winner by Constitution, and hails from the family of G1 winner Wandack (Constitution) and G3 winner Barefoot Angel (Dark Angel).

For the buying group, the combination of physical presence, pedigree, and Nyquist’s rising status as a sire justified going up to $1,200,000.

“He’s by a sire that everyone respects now,” explained Tom Ryan of FRC. “You give yourself the opportunity to eventually produce a future Kentucky stallion if he manages to meet our expectations.”

Ryan also echoed a sentiment that has been repeated since the start of Book 3: the best horses can surface in any section of the catalog. “It doesn’t matter all that much which book they come out of if they’re fast enough. You have to be patient and have a team capable of identifying them.”

To illustrate his point, he recalled a case he knows intimately. In the 2018 September Sale, SF Bloodstock/Starlight West paid $350,000 for Hip 2616, well removed from the opening sessions. That colt was Authentic (Into Mischief), who two years later would capture the Kentucky Derby (G1) and the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).

Donato Lanni finished as the day’s leading buyer, securing five yearlings for $3,060,000.

Four Star Sales, meanwhile, topped the consignors’ standings with 22 yearlings sold for $4,815,000.

Maxfield in Demand

The second-highest price of the session was $900,000 for a colt by Maxfield, acquired by CHC Inc., Maverick Racing, and Light Post Ventures. Also consigned by Four Star Sales, he is out of Posse Needed, by Caleb’s Posse, and belongs to the family of G2 winner Dark Cove (Medaglia d’Oro).

Nyquist resurfaced immediately behind with another of his sons, this one selling for $825,000 to Pin Oak Stud. The colt, consigned by Stone Farm, is out of Dilly, by First Samurai, and stems from the family of G1 winner Lunar Fox(Foxwedge) and G2 winner Boston Common (Boston Harbor).

Pin Oak also invested $800,000 in a son of Liam’s Map out of Kalon, by Bernardini, from the immediate family of G1 winners Gabby’s Golden Gal (Medaglia d’Oro) and Locked (Gun Runner).

Among other major transactions was a son of Golden Pal, for whom Kenneth McPeek, acting as agent for Dream Big Racing, paid $775,000.

First-Crop Sires Fetching Top Dollar

The session once again demonstrated strong demand for offerings from the initial crops of young sires.

A colt by G1 winner Gunite fetched $700,000, purchased by Gold Square. He is out of Brand New Game, by First Samurai, a half-sister to Canadian Horse of the Year Arravale (Arch).

Also drawing considerable attention was an offering from the first crop of Taiba. Donato Lanni secured him for FRC/Starlight/Madaket at $625,000. Presented by Grovendale Sales, he is out of Sunriser (City Zip).

Finally, another son of Maxfield reached $600,000, purchased by Kimmel/Sallusto for Flanagan Racing.

$430 Million and Counting

With Book 3 concluded, the cumulative figures paint a clearer picture of the scale this edition is reaching.

Over its first six sessions, Keeneland has sold 1,150 yearlings for $430,039,000. During the same period in 2025, 1,216 head were sold for $417,622,000.

Once again, fewer horses sold, yet higher total gross. The cumulative gross growth reaches 2.97 percent, while the average surged 8.88 percent, moving from $343,439 to $373,947.

The median also advanced, reaching $275,000, a 10 percent increase over the $250,000 recorded twelve months ago.

And then there is the stat that best illustrates the intensity of the demand: 70 yearlings have already surpassed $1,000,000, compared to 56 through the first six sessions of 2025.

Keeneland still has plenty of catalog ahead and, naturally, figures should taper off as the sale progresses. But the first half has established a trend that is difficult to ignore.

Book 1 opened with records, Book 2 maintained the pressure, and Book 3 concluded by confirming that the enthusiasm was not confined to the catalog's upper tier. After six sessions, more than $430 million and 70 million-dollar transactions show that September continues to move at an extraordinary pace in Lexington.