Spirited bidding among domestic and foreign buyers, double-digit increases in results and the sale of a Pioneerof the Nile colt for $700,000 headlined Sunday’s sixth session of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Competition for quality yearlings spurred healthy results, with active participation continuing from major domestic as well as buyers from England, Ireland, Russia, Korea, Panama and Puerto Rico. Among the leading trainers still shopping on Sunday were Racing Hall of Famers Bob Baffert and Steve Asmussen, and Mark Casse, Dale Romans, Tom Amoss, Ralph Nicks and Al Stall Jr., among others.

On Sunday, which marked the first day of the Book 3 portion of the sale, Keeneland sold 269 yearlings for $23,243,000, up 18.5 percent from the same session in 2015 when 266 horses bought $19,618,000. The average increased 17.16 percent from $73,752 to $86,405. The median of $70,000 rose 27.27 percent from last year’s $55,000.

Through six sessions, 1,081 yearlings have been sold for $212,749,000, down 5.25 percent from the corresponding period last year when 1,234 horses sold for $224,536,000. The cumulative average of $196,808 increased 8.16 percent from $181,958 in 2015. The median of $130,000 remained unchanged from last year.

Tom Haughey’s PTK LLC bought the day’s top-priced yearling, who is a half-brother to stakes winner Softly Lit. He was consigned by Peter O’Callaghan’s Woods Edge Farm, agent.

“He was a spectacular-looking horse. I loved him,” Haughey said, adding that he had purchased two half-sisters to the colt, the aforementioned Softly Lit, by Latent Heat, and winner Flickering, by Twirling Candy, at previous Keeneland September Sales.

The second-highest price was the $410,000 spent by Martin Anthony for a Mineshaft filly out of the Empire Maker mare Scenic Drive. The filly’s second dam, Mon Belle, by Maria’s Mon, is a full sister to 2001 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Monarchos. She was consigned by Lane’s End, agent.

Baffert paid $400,000 for a colt from the first crop of Grade 1 winner Violence. Consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent, the colt is out of the graded stakes-placed With Approval mare Bala, and is a half-brother to Grade 2 winner Bay to Bay. 

Lane’s End Farm was the session’s leading consignor, selling 26 yearlings for $3,296,000.

The day’s leading buyer was Mike Ryan, agent, who spent $1,320,000 for six yearlings.

The September Sale continues through Sunday, Sept. 25, with all sessions beginning at 10 a.m. ET. The entire sale is streamed live at Keeneland.com.

Source: Keeneland Association