Fillies accounted for the three highest prices at the eighth session of the Keeneland September yearling sale, which posted a double-digit decline in gross receipts on Tuesday compared with last year’s corresponding session.

Keeneland reported 270 of 375 horses offered as sold during the eighth session for total receipts of $14,116,400, an 11.6% decline compared with day eight last year, when 286 yearlings sold for total receipts of $15,969,400.

Tuesday’s average price of $52,283 was down 6.4% compared with $55,837 last year. The median of $40,000 was unchanged.

The buy-back rate increased from 22.9% last year to 28%.

Tuesday’s session topper was an Indian Charlie filly purchased for $250,000 by John Brocklebank, agent. Mill Ridge Sales, agent, consigned the bay filly, who is out of multiple Grade 2-placed stakes winner Her She Kisses, by Dehere.

The session topper is from the female family of Grade 3 winner and sire Mr. Shawklit, Grade 1-placed winner and sire Shawklit Won, Grade 1-placed winner and multiple stakes producer Her She Shawklit, Grade 2 winner Shawklit Mint, and multiple Grade 3 winner Crafty Shaw.

Ken and Sarah Ramsey purchased an Empire Maker filly for $230,000, Tuesday’s second-highest price. The dark bay or brown filly is out of Grade 3 winner Changing World, by Spinning World, and was consigned by The Acorn, agent for Mr. and Mrs. Samuel H. Rogers Jr.’s White Oaks.

The Ramseys were the session’s leading buyers, purchasing two yearlings for a total of $350,000. Lane’s End led all consignors on Tuesday, selling 28 horses for total receipts of $1,560,000.

Lane’s End, agent, consigned a Dixie Union filly who was purchased by Woodland Stable for $200,000, Tuesday’s third-highest price. The dark bay or brown filly is out of Grade 3-placed multiple stakes winner August Storm and is a half sister to Grade 2-placed winner Break Water Edison.

Tuesday’s highest-priced colt was a Grand Slam colt purchased for $180,000 by Off the Hook. Consigned by Mr. and Mrs. Jody Huckabay’s Elm Tree Farm, agent, the dark bay or brown colt is out of the winning Dixieland Band mare Restless One, a half sister to Grade 3 winner Chorwon.

The Grand Slam colt is from the female family of multiple graded stakes winners Rush Bay and Classic Elegance.

Through eight sessions, Keeneland reported 1,967 horses as sold for gross receipts of $295,453,300. Total receipts are down 13.1% compared with last year’s first eight sessions of the sale, in which 1,983 horses sold for $340,060,600.

This year’s average price of $150,205 is down 12.4% compared with last year’s $171,488 average through eight days. Median is down 5% to $95,000.

The sale continues through September 23, with sessions starting daily at 10 a.m. EDT.
(Source: Thoroughbred Times)