LEXINGTON, Ky. — Keeneland’s 2026 September Yearling Sale has become the most successful Thoroughbred auction in history, generating a record $536.7 million in through-the-ring sales during its 12-day run.
This year’s sale, held Sept. 14-26, surpassed the worldwide record Keeneland established just last year. A total of 2,856 horses sold through the ring for $536,737,900, up 5.14% from $510,517,900 for 2,903 yearlings in 2025. Including $21.6 million in post-sale transactions reported to date, total sales reached $558.3 million.
The sale also produced a record 70 yearlings that sold for $1 million or more, topping last year’s record of 56. The highest-priced horse was a $3.7 million Into Mischief colt purchased by M.V. Magnier and Peter Brant’s White Birch Farm.
The average sale price climbed 6.87% to a record $187,933, compared with $175,859 last year. The median increased 6.25% from $80,000 to a record $85,000.
“It’s incredible to think that we set a world record for a Thoroughbred auction just one year ago, and now we’ve surpassed it,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “That speaks to the extraordinary quality of the horses, the strength of the global buying bench and, most importantly, the people who make the September Sale what it is.”
Several additional records were established during the sale. Twenty-three horses sold for at least $1 million during the second day, the most ever in a single session. Opening day produced a record session average of $739,897 and median of $625,000, while the cumulative average established a record for the sixth consecutive year.
Momentum was particularly strong during the opening week. Books 1 and 2 generated $318.1 million in sales, with 65 horses bringing at least $1 million. The four-day gross increased 3.4% from 2025.
Demand remained strong into the second week. By Session 9, cumulative through-the-ring sales had reached $511.7 million, already exceeding the total generated during the entire 12-day 2025 auction.
Buyers came from 30 countries. The partnership of St. Elias, West Point, Lane’s End Racing and Belladonna was the sale’s leading buyer, spending $16.2 million on 20 horses.
Taylor Made Sales Agency led consignors during its 50th year in business, selling 338 yearlings for an all-time consignor record of $68.6 million, including post-sale transactions reported to date. The Nicholasville-based operation sold nine million-dollar horses and has been Keeneland September’s leading consignor 27 times since 1988.
Gun Runner was the sale’s leading sire by both total sales and average for the second time. Fifty-seven of his yearlings brought $43.7 million, averaging $766,176, including 15 that sold for $1 million or more.
Even the final session showed continued strength. Saturday’s 261 yearlings generated $4.75 million, nearly 32% more than the comparable session last year. The session median jumped 55.6% to $14,000.
The September Sale launches Keeneland into October and November with these events:
Oct. 2-24 — 17-day Fall Meet from Oct. 2-24. Twenty-two stakes worth $10.7 million will be run.
Oct. 2-4 — 25th Fall Stars Weekend. Eight stakes are Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” races, which award each winner an automatic and free entry into the World Championships.
Oct. 15 — Keeneland celebrates its 90th birthday. Keeneland opened Oct. 15, 1936.
Oct. 28 — Third Championship Sale at Historic Castleton (invitation only).
Oct. 30-31 — Keeneland hosts the Breeders’ Cup for the fourth time, following 2015, 2020 and 2022.
Nov. 3-11 — November Breeding Stock Sale.
Nov. 12 — November Horses of Racing Age Sale.
Nov. 13 — 14th Sporting Art Auction.
Since its first race meet 90 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 six sales a year, in January, April, September, October 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. On Oct. 30-31, Keeneland will host the Breeders’ Cup World Championships for the fourth time, following 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.
