THURSDAY represented a landmark achievement in the history of thoroughbred auctions.

When the final lot of the session passed through the ring, Keeneland could proudly acclaim that the 2024 September Yearling Sale had become the highest-grossing thoroughbred auction in the world. That tenth session of the marathon sale pushed the gross to $405,519,500, just $23,800 more than the previous record set during the 2022 edition.

With two sessions remaining, 2,326 yearlings have sold, the aggregate showing an increase of 4% over the same 10-day period last year. The average of $174,342 is up 7%, while the median of $95,000 rose 12%.

“An achievement of this magnitude is only accomplished by a community of people who share a passion for their horses and the sport of racing,” Keeneland president and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “We thank our breeders and sellers for the tremendous quality of horses they brought to market, and the many buyers from around the world participating in this sale. We are grateful for their strong support of Keeneland.”

“We enjoy collaborating with our customers to create the best sales environment possible,” Irishman and Keeneland vice president of sales Tony Lacy said. “The amazing energy and excitement we saw surrounding Book 1 created momentum that continues to flow through week two of the sale.”

Selling recommenced

After a blank day following the completion of Books 1 and 2, selling recommenced last Saturday. The various books are graded, with all of the millionaire yearlings appearing in the first week of selling. That said, for a period it looked as though there could have been one to join that elite group last Saturday, but bidding stopped short of that magical number.

Many of the world’s top buyers remained in place as the sale continued to produce strong results. The day was headlined by across-the-board growth, and the sale of a colt by Practical Joke for $900,000 to agent Monique Delk. She purchased the half-brother to Grade 1-placed Reinvestment Risk on behalf of Vinnie Viola’s St. Elias Stable. Consigned by Gainesway, the session-topper is out of Ridingwiththedevil, a winning daughter of Candy Ride and from the family of Grade 3 winner My List.

The colt was one of five lots purchased on the day by Delk who spent $2,335,000 for five horses. The 22 lots sold at the session by Gainesway included the day’s three highest prices. Their draft contained a colt by Liam’s Map who sold to Pin Oak Stud for $700,000. Out of the winning Bernardini mare Pop A Choc, he is from the family of Grade 1 winner Sea Cadet and Grade 2 winners Airoforce and On Target.

Chris Evert

A Constitution colt from the family of Hall of Fame inductee Chris Evert, Grade 1 winner Confessional and multiple graded stakes winner Overheard, consigned by Gainesway, sold to Whisper Hill Farm and Monique Delk for $675,000. He is out of a daughter of Medaglia D’Oro.

Bill and Corinne Heiligbrodt and Jackpot Farm paid $625,000 for a colt by Maclean’s Music from the family of Grade 1 winners Lady Tak and Volatile. Consigned by Hill ‘n’ Dale at Xalapa, he is a son of the Curlin stakes winner Casual.

Walmac Farm spent $550,000 for a son of Good Magic who is a full-brother to the recent Grade 1 Pacific Classic winner Mixto. Farfellow Farms consigned the colt, who is out of the Concerto mare Musical Mystery and from the family of Grade 1 winners Rigoletta, Patternrecognition and Battle Of Midway.

Donato Lanni, acting as always as agent for SF/Starlight/Madaket, acquired a Nyquist colt for $525,000. Out of stakes-placed winner Oola Gal, a daughter of Quality Road, and consigned by Eaton Sales, he is from the family of multiple Grade 1 winner Strategic Maneuver.

A son of Speightstown from the family of multiple Grade 1 winner and sire Charlatan sold for $500,000 to JAS/Costa. Another consigned by Hill ‘n’ Dale at Xalapa, acting on behalf of Don Alberto Corporation, the colt is out of the winning Super Saver mare Murrells Inlet, and from the family of Grade 2 winners Authenticity and Rahys’ Appeal.

Sunday’s session

Brisk trade continued at Sunday’s session, led by a colt from the first crop of Grade 1 winner Maxfield who was purchased for $575,000 by Three Amigos. It was a session in which yearlings by exciting young stallions were among the headliners.

The day’s top colt, consigned by Indian Creek, is out of the winning Pulpit mare Bible Belt and a half-brother to stakes-placed Hardworkcleanlivin, Gospel Way and Happy Boy Rocket. He is from the family of French champion and sire Caracolero, and stakes winners Buckeye Search, General A Rod and Bahamian Sunshine.

Case Clay Thoroughbred Management bought a colt by Nyquist out of the stakes-placed Quality Road mare Slimey for $550,000. Consigned by Knockgriffin Farm, he comes from the family of European champion Rainbow View and Grade 1 winner No Matter What.

Kenneth McPeek spent $525,000 for another son of Maxfield, this one from the family of Hall of Fame member and sire Tiznow, and Grade 1 winner Paynter. Warrendale Sales consigned the son of an Awesome Again mare.

Mallory double

Two yearlings sold for $475,000 each, both consigned by Scott Mallory. A colt from the first crop of Grade 1 winner Yaupon, from the family of Canadian champions Catch The Ring and Catch The Thrill, sold to Monique Delk for that amount. Bloodstock agent Mike Ryan signed for a colt by Candy Ride from the family of champion Speightstown, Canadian champion Silken Cat, and Grade 1 Preakness winner Early Voting.

That $475,000 sale price was achieved once more during the week, at Monday’s sale session. A colt by McKinzie sold to Reeves Thoroughbred Racing for that amount. He was another from the massive Gainesway consignment, and is out of the winning stakes-placed Smart Strike mare Ruby Trust, and from the family of the Santa Anita Grade 3 winner Queen Ofthe Catsle.