Buyers from around the world had already spent more than $305 million for 1,156 Thoroughbreds, at the end of Saturday, September 16, day five of the 14-day Keeneland September Yearling Sale in Lexington, Kentucky.

“Spectacular,” said Geoffrey Russell, Keeneland’s director of sales, following the second day of the sale. “The top echelon of the market is stronger than last year. The next level down is a little lighter. But the 30 million-dollar yearlings we’ve sold these past two days have out-grossed the 38 we sold during the first two days last year, so the select market is live and well.”

Highlights so far include a record $11.7 million paid by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum of Dubai for a Kingmambo son (pictured) from the consignment of Burleson Farms. It was the highest price ever paid for a yearling at the September Sale and the second highest price for a yearling sold at public auction, ranking just behind the $13.1 million record paid for a half-brother to Seattle Slew at the 1985 Keeneland July Selected Yearling Sale.

The colt is out of a stakes-winning Seattle Slew daughter and a full brother to Ashaawes, a winner of three recent races in England. Ashaawes was purchased for $2.85 million at the 2004 Keeneland September Sale and races in the name of the Maktoum family’s Godolphin Stables. Members of the Maktoum family also won the 2006 Preakness with Bernardini and the 2006 Belmont with Jazil.

On the first day of the September Sale, Sheikh Mohammed made eight seven-figure purchases, including the $8.2 million he paid for a Storm Cat colt from WinStar Farm.

Through day five, the September Sale had averaged $263,241 on 1,156 horses, an increase of 3.9 percent over the 2005 average. The median of $150,000 remained the same as last year. The sale continues through September 25.
Keeneland photo.