Keeneland’s Thoroughbred Yearling Sale, held September 11-24, attracted a global contingent of buyers representing 29 countries. The six yearlings that sold for $1 million or more, however, were all purchased by American buyers.

Gross receipts for the 13-day sale totaled $223,487,800 for 2,921 horses, an increase of 12.7 percent over last year’s sale, when 3,059 sold for $198,252,900.

The average price of $76,511 rose 18 percent from $64,810 in 2010, and the buyback rate of 20.8 percent dropped 22 percent from the 2010 rate.

“We are pleasantly surprised by the market being up pretty consistently throughout the sale,” said William Farish, of Land’s End Farm, the sale’s leading consignor with 335 yearlings for $27,437,000. “The decrease in (the size of) the foal crop, lower production costs, and lower stud fees, have given buyers a new sense of confidence.”

A colt by leading sire A.P. Indy was the high-seller of the sale at $1.4 million. Consigned by Hill ‘n Dale and purchased by a group that includes Robert Evans and John Amerman, the colt is out of the Deputy Minister mare Malka, from the family of Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver.

Frank Stronach’s Adena Springs purchased the second-highest seller, a $1.3 million colt by Awesome Again out of Legs Lawlor, a half-sister to 1997 Horse of the Year Favorite Trick. Stronach stands Awesome Again at Adena Springs in Kentucky. The colt was consigned by Greenwood Lodge Farm, owned by Bill McAlpin.

The high-selling filly of the sale, at $1.3 million, is a daughter of Unbridled out of the Storm Bird mare Lady of Choice, a half-sister to graded stakes winner Multiple Choice. Consigned by Dromoland Farm, she was purchased by Besilu Stables, owned by Benjamin Leon.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum topped the buyer’s list, paying $8,870,000 for 36 yearlings. He was followed closely by Benjamin Leon, who purchased 13 yearlings totaling $8,175,000, including two of the $1 million consignments.