Keeneland’s September Yearling Sale held its seventh session out of 12 on Monday, showing growth across all key metrics with nearly $33 million in sales conducted through the ring. The top-priced horse of the day fetched $825,000—a colt by Yaupon purchased by Donato Lanni acting for FRC/Starlight/Madaket, making this group the day’s leading buyer.
A total of 285 yearlings were sold for $32,941,500, marking a 9.41% increase in gross sales compared to last year’s seventh session, which saw 279 horses bring in $30,107,000. The average price rose by 7.11% to $115,584 from $107,910 last year, while the median climbed 20%, reaching $90,000 compared to $75,000 in 2025.
So far, cumulative sales stand at $462,980,500 for 1,435 yearlings, up 3.41% from the same period in 2025, when 1,495 yearlings sold for $447,729,000. The average price is $322,634, up 7.73% from $299,484, and the median price has increased 12.5% to $225,000. Notably, yearlings priced at $1 million or more totaled 70 this year, compared to 56 last year.
The session’s highest-priced colt, consigned by Runnymede Farm as agent, is out of Beautician, a stakes winner and Grade 1-placed mare by Dehere. This colt descends from a family featuring multiple graded stakes winners such as Red Ruby, Crupi, Lady At Peace, and Mo Tom.
Among other notable sales, FMQ Stables and Three Chimneys Farm paid $525,000 for Capriciousness, a Volatile filly and half-sister to stakes winner Meringue and recent Grade 1 runner-up Oscar. She is consigned by Lane’s End for Messingw Farm and comes from a strong lineage including Group 2 winner Michita and Grade 3 winner Thunder Kitten.
MorPlay Racing purchased a Life Is Good filly for $425,000. Consigned by Woods Edge Farm, she is out of Haynesfest, a winning Haynesfield mare, and is related to multiple Grade/Group 1 winners such as Varda, Overarching, Lady of the House, and Abscond, along with other graded stakes winners.
Additionally, a colt by Life Is Good, consigned by Denali Stud for WinStar Farm and bought for $400,000 by Maddie Mattmiller as agent, is the first foal of Dontmesswithjammer, a winning Candy Ride (ARG) daughter and half-sister to Grade 1 winner Played Hard. This colt hails from a family boasting Grade/Group 1 winners like Well Armed, American Patriot, Patch Adams, and Cyberknife.
Four yearlings, including two purchased by Three Amigos, were each sold for $375,000. Among them was a Corniche filly out of Vitellia, consigned by Gainesway, which recorded the highest consignor sales Monday with $5,061,000 from 39 yearlings sold. This filly is a half-sister to stakes winner Arts in the Park and belongs to a lineage featuring Canadian champion Mrs. Barbara and other stakes winners.
Three Amigos also spent $375,000 on a Vekoma colt consigned through Lane’s End. He is out of Malibu Cat, a Malibu Moon mare, and from the family of graded winners Value Engineering and High Velocity. Notably, his 2-year-old half-sister, Malibu Dancer, debuted with a win in late August.
Gainesway also sold a Yaupon colt for $375,000 to Gracie Bloodstock. The colt, out of Cherry Marie by Carpe Diem, descends from several graded stakes winners, including Lord Couronne and multiple Grade 3 winners. Meanwhile, Alistair Roden Bloodstock invested $375,000 in a Life Is Good colt consigned by Lane’s End for St. Elias Stables. This colt is out of stakes winner Whoa Nellie and comes from a family with multiple Grade 1 winners like Awesome Humor and Constitution.
The September Yearling Sale resumes Tuesday at 10 a.m. ET and will continue daily through Saturday, completing 12 sessions. The entire auction is livestreamed on Keeneland’s website.
This article originally appeared on Paulick Report on September 22, 2026.
Fan Take: This surge in sales figures and the high prices paid for well-bred yearlings underscore the ongoing strength and excitement in Thoroughbred racing’s future talent pool. For fans, it signals a promising new generation of horses that could become the next racing superstars, fueling competition and fan engagement in the sport.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
