On Wednesday, the ninth day out of 12 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, through-the-ring sales totaled $18,485,000, pushing the cumulative gross to $511,680,500. This figure surpassed last year’s total of $510,539,900 for the entire 12-day event. The session’s top sales were two yearlings—a colt by Dialed In and a filly by Army Mule—each fetching $250,000.
Since the sale began on September 14, Keeneland has sold 2,027 yearlings with an average price of $252,432 and a median of $150,000. The total gross represents a 4.93% increase compared to the same period last year, which saw 2,074 yearlings sold for $487,624,500. The average price has risen 7.37% from $235,113 in 2025, while the median price has remained consistent with last year’s $150,000.
Seventy yearlings have now sold for $1 million or more, a notable increase from 56 million-dollar sales last year. Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy highlighted the significance of exceeding last year’s cumulative gross with three sessions remaining, attributing the success to the quality of the horses and the ongoing support from breeders, consignors, and buyers. Lacy expressed optimism for continued strong results as the sale progresses.
On Wednesday, the session showed broad gains with 295 yearlings sold at an average price of $62,661, a 23.28% increase from last year’s $50,827. The median price rose 25%, from $40,000 to $50,000. The first horse to reach $250,000 was a Dialed In colt, a half-brother to the 2026 Saratoga stakes winner Sea Strike, purchased by Kimmel/Sallusto for Thorostock. This colt was consigned by Highgate Sales and descends from a family including Kentucky Oaks winner Keeper Hill and multiple graded stakes winners.
Kimmel/Sallusto, acting for Thorostock, topped the buyer list by spending $565,000 on four yearlings during the session. The second $250,000 yearling, a filly by Army Mule, was bought by Gracie Bloodstock. She hails from a family that produced Grade 1 winner and sire World of Trouble as well as Grade 2 winner and sire Bucchero. The filly, consigned by Paramount Sales, is out of Meetmeonline, a mare by Line of David.
Additional highlights included two yearlings that sold for $230,000 each: a filly by Upstart from Eaton Sales, purchased by BC Horses and SB, and a filly by Dialed In bought by Glassman Racing. The latter is a half-sister to Grade 3 winner Perfect Shot and comes from a strong lineage boasting multiple graded stakes winners. Two yearlings brought $225,000 each, including a Flameaway colt, full brother to Grade 3 winner Dreamfyre, bought by Bruno DeBerdt, and consigned by Gainesway, who led the session’s consignors with sales totaling $2,246,000 for 37 yearlings.
Other notable sales featured a son of Yaupon, sold for $220,000 to John Ennis on behalf of BC Stables; and two yearlings sold for $200,000 apiece—a colt by Army Mule acquired by Golf 26/27 and a Practical Joke filly purchased by Jim and Susan Hill. Both come from families with strong stakes-winning backgrounds.
The Keeneland September Sale will continue Thursday at 10 a.m. ET and run daily through Saturday, with the entire event livestreamed on Keeneland.com.
This report was originally published by Paulick Report on September 24, 2026.
Fan Take: This milestone at Keeneland is a clear sign that the yearling market remains robust and thriving, signaling strong confidence in the future of thoroughbred racing. For fans, it means we can look forward to seeing high-quality, well-bred horses emerging in races to come, potentially elevating competition and excitement in the sport.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
