Keeneland’s 2026 September Yearling Sale concluded Saturday after 12 sessions that produced a record-setting market, surpassing the auction’s previous worldwide record set just one year ago.
The sale generated the highest through-the-ring gross ever recorded at a Thoroughbred auction worldwide — $536,737,900 — and set a record with 70 yearlings selling for $1 million or more. Leading the way was a $3.7 million Into Mischief colt purchased by M.V. Magnier and Peter Brant’s White Birch Farm.
For the sale held Sept. 14-26, total through-the-ring sales for 2,856 horses were 5.14% above last year’s $510,517,900 for 2,903 yearlings. Gross sales this year increased to $558,313,400 when the additional $21,575,500 in post sales reported to date are added.
The average of $187,933 increased 6.87% from $175,859 last year, while the median rose 6.25% from $80,000 in 2025 to $85,000 this year.
September Sale records in sales through the ring were set in the following categories:
- Number of yearlings sold for $1 million or more (70) bested the previous record 56 last year.
- Number of horses sold for $1 million or more during a single session (23 on Day 2).
- Record session average and median ($739,897/$625,000) from opening day.
- For the sixth year in a row, a record cumulative average of $187,933 was established.
- Cumulative median price of $85,000 rose 6.25% over last year’s $80,000 and set a record for the third consecutive year.
