2023 Keeneland September Sale
Beginning Monday, Sept. 11, 2023

Last September, we witnessed the unprecedented momentum, energy and magic of the most successful September Yearling Sale in history. Dreams were born, opportunities were seized and futures were solidified.

And this year, when the World’s Yearling Sale returns—when the eyes of the Thoroughbred industry descend once more upon Keeneland—it all begins again.

The World's Marketplace

The Keeneland September Yearling Sale has a well-deserved reputation as the premier source of equine athletes in the world. With international travel back in full force, buyers from throughout the world were in attendance during the 2022 renewal that smashed all September Sale records.

All Eyes on Book 1

For decades, Book 1 of the September Yearling Sale has been internationally renowned for showcasing the cream of the North American yearling crop. The Keeneland sales team worked hand in hand with consignors to intentionally construct a Book 1 designed to present the largest number of exceptional horses possible to major domestic and foreign buyers. And the results played out to perfection as buyers bid at a frenetic pace from Hip 1 on.

A Sale for the History Books

During the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, an international cast of buyers converged on the sales grounds in Lexington, driving a robust market that resulted in the highest-grossing auction in Keeneland history. Conducted in an atmosphere that was electric from the start, the 12-day auction surpassed all expectations.

Fast Out of the Gate

Eager to get their hands on the best of the best, buyers at last year’s Keeneland September Yearling Sale jumped at the opportunity from the start, resulting in some of the auction’s most robust trade coming in the first 20 horses that sold. In fact, across-the-board stats from the first 20 hips sold suggest sellers can have confidence in the marketplace to deliver exceptional results from Hip 1 on.

Shining Bright on the World Stage

When Emblem Road crossed the finish line first in the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) on Feb. 26 in Saudi Arabia, it led a sweep of the top three positions in the world’s richest Thoroughbred race by graduates of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

That September Sale grads would dominate the top race in the world is no surprise, as the iconic sales company makes a concerted effort to recruit the most diverse group of international buyers to their sales annually.

Success Breeds Success

Keeneland September Yearling Sale graduates dominated the world racing circuit in 2021, and the connections of those international champions return to the world’s major source of equine talent seeking to replicate those successes.

Yearling Buyers' Dreams Come True

Keeneland September Yearling Sale buyers dream of acquiring athletic individuals that go on to achieve success on racing’s biggest stages.

2021 September Sale Surge

As Thoroughbred racing, breeding, and sales emerged from the worldwide pandemic, a broad swath of the international horse industry descended on Keeneland for the 2021 edition of the September Yearling Sale.

September Sale Grads Sweep Belmont Stakes

With a sweep of the top three positions in the 154th edition of the Belmont (G1), Keeneland September Yearling Sale graduates reinforced what astute Thoroughbred owners and trainers have long known: the world’s largest yearling sale is the premier source of bloodstock that succeed at the classic level.

Déjà Vu for September Sale Classic Success

Victory by Early Voting in the May 21 Preakness (G1) provided a déjà vu moment for the winning connections of owner Seth Klarman, trainer Chad Brown and the bloodstock team of Mike and Mary Ryan. This same team (and price tag) was behind 2017 Preakness winner Cloud Computing.