Keeneland’s 80th annual September Yearling Sale, which attracts leading horsemen from across North America and from around the world to buy Thoroughbred racing prospects, begins Monday, Sept. 11 at 1 p.m. ET for the first of 12 sessions. A total of 4,198 horses by prominent stallions and exciting young sires have been cataloged to the sale, which continues through Saturday, Sept. 23.
The catalog includes siblings to winners of major races this year, including Kentucky Derby (G1) Presented by Woodford Reserve winner Mage and these recent Del Mar and Saratoga Race Course graded stakes winners: Adare Manor (Clement L. Hirsch-G1), Arabian Knight (FanDuel Racing Pacific Classic-G1), Aspray (Lake Placid-G2), Conclude (Caesars Sportsbook Del Mar Derby-G2), Dreamfyre (Sorrento-G3 Presented by Keeneland Sales), Gala Brand (With Anticipation-G3), Nutella Fella (Hopeful-G1), Prince of Monaco (Best Pal-G3), Randomized (Alabama-G1 Presented by Keeneland Sales), Rhyme Schemes (Herb Moelis Memorial Saratoga Special-G2) and Roses for Debra (Caress-G3).
In addition, the catalog has siblings to these recent graded stakes winners: Abeliefinthislivin (Canadian Derby-G3 at Century Mile), Gigante (Secretariat-G2 at Colonial Downs), Miss Dracarys (Dance Smartly-G2 at Woodbine) and Vahva (Charles Town Oaks-G3).
“The September Sale is a can’t-miss event for horsemen because it presents a critical mass of yearlings of unmatched quality at every price level,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “For that reason, it’s the world’s leading yearling sale, the one that has the focus of the industry on a global level. Our team is ready to welcome people from across the U.S. and around the world these next few weeks, and we are excited for them to experience Keeneland and everything the Lexington area has to offer.”
John Deere joins Keeneland team for September Sale
Keeneland has announced that John Deere, the official equipment supplier of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association and the equine industry since 2001, has become a Keeneland sponsor and partner on the September Sale and the two race meets.
During each sale day, John Deere Gators™ will deliver bottled water to the barn areas. Near the end of each session, a Gator will surprise the consignor of the final hip number with offerings to celebrate the end of the sale day.
September Sale schedule
The September Sale, which will be livestreamed on Keeneland.com, FanDuel TV+ and on the FanDuel app, will be held as follows:
Week 1
Book 1 – Monday-Tuesday, Sept. 11-12. Sessions begin at 1 p.m. A total of 383 yearlings are cataloged over the two days. During Book 1, FanDuel TV will present live hits from the sales grounds.
Book 2 – Wednesday-Thursday, Sept. 13-14. Sessions begin at 11 a.m. A total of 728 yearlings are cataloged over the two days.
Dark Day – Friday, Sept. 15. No sale will be conducted.
Week 2
Book 3 – Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 16-17. Sessions begin at 10 a.m. A total of 837 yearlings are cataloged over the two days.
Book 4 – Monday-Tuesday, Sept. 18-19. Sessions begin at 10 a.m. A total of 826 yearlings are cataloged over the two days.
Book 5 – Wednesday-Thursday, Sept. 20-21. Sessions begin at 10 a.m. A total of 820 yearlings are cataloged over the two days.
Book 6 – Friday-Saturday, Sept. 22-23. Sessions begin at 10 a.m. A total of 604 yearlings are cataloged over the two days.
As always, online and phone bidding will be available.
Community outreach
The September Sale represents an opportunity for Keeneland to educate and excite the community about the event, which is a significant economic driver to the area.
On Sept. 7 and Sept. 14, Keeneland Sales will sponsor Central Bank Thursday Night Live at the Fifth Third Bank Pavilion in Tandy Park in downtown Lexington. The free event from 5-8 p.m. features live music along with art, food and beverages.
Keeneland sales are free and open to the public, who can participate in two ways to learn more about sales operations:
- Book a Behind-the-Scenes Sale Tour. These Official Keeneland Tours are available Sept. 16, 18, 20 and 22 from 9-10:30 a.m. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets for these guided, in-depth tours.
- Take an Abbreviated Walk Up Tour, available daily Sept. 8-10 from 1-4 p.m.; Sept. 11-21 from 1-5 p.m.; and Sept. 22-23 from 1-4 p.m. Visit the podium at the front of the Sales Pavilion to take part.
MEDIA: Images, video available on PhotoShelter
Keeneland will provide photos and video of the September Sale for editorial use on its PhotoShelter digital asset management system.
Photos: Sales scenics and images of top-priced horses and people of interest are included; the initial round of images is scheduled to be available the afternoon of Saturday, Sept. 9. Photos of highest-priced horses will be posted each session during Week 1 (Sept. 11-14) and periodically through the remainder of the sale.
Video: September Sale b-roll is currently available. Video of top-priced horses during Week 1 will be posted near the end of the session in which they sell.
Please credit as “Keeneland photo” or “Keeneland video.”
Access the site at keeneland.photoshelter.com
Login information: Email: media@keeneland.com
Password: Keeneland1936!
In addition during the September Sale, Keeneland will provide:
- Timely updates about top-priced horses of Week 1 posted on Keeneland’s social media (Facebook, Instagram and X – formerly known as Twitter).
- Press releases recapping each of the 12 sessions distributed daily via email and posted on Keeneland.com.
PhotoShelter users also may retrieve a variety of Keeneland press materials and images, including the 2023 Media Guide and Fall Meet Media Guide Supplement, general Keeneland racing and sales scenics, Keeneland logo, press releases and headshots of Keeneland Officers.
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Since its first race meet more than 85 years ago, the Keeneland Association has devoted itself to the health and vibrancy of the Thoroughbred industry. The world’s largest Thoroughbred auction house, Keeneland conducts five sales a year, in January, April, September and November. Graduates of Keeneland sales dominate racing across the globe at every level. In April and October, Keeneland offers some of the highest caliber and richest Thoroughbred racing in the world. Keeneland hosted the Breeders’ Cup World Championships in 2015, 2020 and 2022. Uniquely structured, Keeneland is a privately held company with a not-for-profit mission that returns its earnings to the industry and the community in the form of higher purses and millions of dollars donated in support of horse industry initiatives and charitable contributions for education, research, and health and human services throughout Central Kentucky. Keeneland also maintains Keeneland Library, a world-renowned public research institution with the mission of preserving information about the Thoroughbred industry. To learn more, visit Keeneland.com.
For more information contact:
Amy Gregory at 859 361-3490
Amy Owens at 859 421-2566
- Click here to see the online September Sale catalog, which includes photos and walking videos of yearlings along with links to consignor websites.
- Click here for the September Experience Guide for information about amenities and services at Keeneland for sales clients as well as special events surrounding the auction.
- MEDIA: Information about Keeneland’s PhotoShelter site appears above.