The ninth of the 12 sessions of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale Sept. 23 grossed $18,775,000 including private sales, an 18.1% increase from last year's ninth session. This brings the cumulative total to $532,417,000, a 4.7% increase from $508,405,000 at this stage last year. For the session, two yearlings—a colt by Dialed In and a filly by Army Mule —topped the sales at $250,000 apiece.
Since the September sale began Sept. 14, Keeneland has sold 2,177 horses, including private sales, for an average of $244,565, up 7.3% from 2025, and a median of $150,000, up 7.1% from a year ago. The sale has already grossed more than last year's entire 12-session total of $531,739,400.
Seventy yearlings have sold for $1 million or more compared to 56 last year.
"To already surpass last year's entire through-the-ring gross with three sessions still to go speaks volumes about the strength of this market and the quality of the horses here," said Tony Lacy, Keeneland's vice president of sales. "None of this happens without the breeders and consignors who bring these horses to Keeneland and the buyers who support the sale from start to finish. We're grateful for everyone who continues to believe in this marketplace and make it what it is. We've still got three days to go, so we're looking forward to seeing where we finish."
On Wednesday, the session produced double-digit increases across the board. A total of 304 yearlings sold for an average of $61,760 and a median of $48,500. The average jumped 23.9% from last year's $49,837, while the median was 21.2% higher than $40,000 from a year ago.
The RNA rate was 14.8%, representing the 53 horses who failed to meet their reserve
The day's first horse to bring $250,000 was a son of Dialed In and was purchased by Kimmel/Sallusto, agent for Thorostock. Out of winner Halama, by Pioneerof the Nile, he is from the family of 1998 Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Keeper Hill, grade 1 winner Clabber Girl, grade 2 winner Golden Gear, and grade 3 winner Keep Up. Highgate Sales, agent, consigned the colt.
Gracie Bloodstock, agent, purchased the second $250,000 yearling, a daughter of Army Mule out of the Line of David mare Meetmeonline. Consigned by Paramount Sales, agent, the filly is a half sister to Curlin Stakes winner Sea Strike from the family of sire and grade 1 winner World of Trouble and grade 2 winner Bucchero , the sire of 2025 champion male sprinter Book'em Danno.
Army Mule led all sires by gross in the ninth session at $877,000 with 10 sold.
In other sales, two fillies sold for $230,000 each. BC Horses and SBM acquired one of them consigned by Eaton Sales, agent. By Upstart out of White Mischief, a winning daughter of Into Mischief , she is from the family of grade 2 winner Leggs Galore and grade 3 winner Conveyance.
Glassman Racing paid $230,000 for a filly by Dialed In who is a half sister to grade 3 winner Perfect Shot. Consigned by Denali Stud, agent, she is out of the Bodemeister mare Meister Legend and from the family of champion Pleasant Stage.
With sales of $2,246,000 for 37 yearlings, Gainesway was the session's leading consignor, while Thorostock was the leading buyer by gross, spending $565,000 for four purchases.
The 10th session of the sale begins at 10 a.m. ET Sept. 24, with hips 3243-3671 slated to go through the ring.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
