Keeneland getting ready for 12 sessions of selling and thousands of yearlings

Keeneland will kick off its 77th annual September Yearling Sale on Sunday at noon local time, with the first of 12 sessions of the internationally important sale of thoroughbreds, which will be conducted amid Covid-19 protocols designed to create the safest environment possible.

For those unable to attend the sale, Keeneland will offer online bidding and expanded phone bidding capabilities. The digital September Sale catalogue has been enhanced to deliver more information, such as walking videos of yearlings and comments from consignors, directly to customers.

“The September Sale is incredibly vital to our industry as a key annual marketplace for thoroughbred breeders and sellers, a proven source of top-quality racing prospects for buyers from around the world and an invaluable economic driver for central Kentucky,” said Keeneland president-elect and interim head of sales Shannon Arvin.

“Though Covid-19 presents a unique set of operational challenges for everyone, we are confident that the protocols we have put in place will provide a stable marketplace and promote safety across the sales grounds. We thank everyone for their cooperation and their tremendous effort to make this sale happen.”

The September Sale, for which 4,272 yearlings were catalogued, produces horses that win at racing’s highest level around the world.

Up until Monday, September Sale graduates had won 261 stakes, including 36 Grade/Group 1 events across North America as well as in Britain, Japan and Australia.

Leading the graded stakes winners over the Labor Day weekend (September 5-7) were Kentucky Derby winner Authentic and Kentucky Oaks winner Shedaresthedevil.

Other September Sale graduates alumni who won Grade 1 races very recently were Global Campaign (Woodward), Jackie’s Warrior (Hopeful), champion Monomoy Girl (La Troienne), Princess Noor (Del Mar Debutante) and Vequist (Spinaway).

The enhanced online catalogue can be viewed here

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