Hip 2126, consignor Brutus Clay, Romain Malhouitre, Tom Ryan buyer, 2026 Keeneland September Sale
Yaupon colt tops Session 7 at $825,000 as average and median continue to climb
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Sept. 21, 2026 — The momentum continued Monday at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, where the seventh of 12 sessions delivered increases across every major statistical category and nearly $33 million in through-the-ring sales.
A colt by Yaupon commanded the session’s highest price, selling for $825,000 to Donato Lanni, agent for FRC/Starlight/Madaket.
Keeneland sold 285 yearlings for $32,941,500 during Monday’s session, a 9.41% increase from the corresponding session in 2025, when 279 horses generated $30,107,000.
The session average climbed 7.11% to $115,584, compared with $107,910 last year, while the median produced an even larger gain, rising 20% from $75,000 to $90,000.
Strong numbers continue through seven sessions
Through the first seven sessions of the September Sale, 1,435 yearlings have generated $462,980,500 in through-the-ring sales, up 3.41% from $447,729,000 at the same point last year.
The cumulative average has reached $322,634, a 7.73% increase from $299,484 in 2025, while the median has risen 12.5% to $225,000, compared with $200,000 a year ago.
Another notable indicator of the strength at the top of the market is the number of seven-figure transactions. Through Monday, 70 yearlings have sold for $1 million or more, compared with 56 during the same sale in 2025.
Yaupon colt leads Monday at $825,000
Consigned by Runnymede Farm, agent, Monday’s session-topper is a son of Yaupon out of stakes winner and Grade 1-placed Beautician, by Dehere.
Purchased by Donato Lanni on behalf of FRC/Starlight/Madaket, the colt comes from a family that includes Grade 2 winners Red Ruby, Crupi and Lady At Peace, as well as Grade 3 winner Mo Tom.
The $825,000 purchase was the group’s only acquisition Monday, making FRC/Starlight/Madaket the session’s leading buyer by gross.
Volatile and Life Is Good yearlings also attract strong interest
The second-highest price of the session came when FMQ Stables and Three Chimneys Farm went to $525,000 for Capriciousness, a filly by Volatile.
Consigned by Lane’s End, agent for Messingw Farm, the filly is a half-sister to stakes winner Meringue and recent Grade 1 runner-up Oscar.
A daughter of Life Is Good brought $425,000 from Good Horse for MorPlay Racing. Consigned by Woods Edge Farm, agent, she is out of the Haynesfield mare Haynesfest and comes from a family featuring Grade/Group 1 winners Varda, Overarching, Lady of the House and Abscond.
Life Is Good was also represented by a $400,000 colt purchased by Maddie Mattmiller, agent. Consigned by Denali Stud for WinStar Farm Bred & Raised, the colt is the first foal out of Dontmesswithjammer, a Candy Ride mare and half-sister to Grade 1 winner Played Hard.
His extended family includes Grade/Group 1 winners Well Armed, American Patriot, Patch Adams and Cyberknife.
Four yearlings reach $375,000
Four additional horses sold for $375,000 each, including two purchased by Three Amigos.
Three Amigos acquired a Corniche filly consigned by Gainesway and a Vekoma colt offered by Lane’s End. The latter is a half-brother to Malibu Dancer, who won her career debut Aug. 29 at Kentucky Downs.
Another son of Yaupon reached $375,000 when Gracie Bloodstock, agent, purchased a colt consigned by Gainesway. Meanwhile, Alistair Roden Bloodstock paid the same amount for a Life Is Good colt consigned by Lane’s End for St. Elias Stables.
Gainesway finished Monday as the session’s leading consignor, selling 39 yearlings for a combined $5,061,000.
September Sale continues its impressive run
Monday’s results added another positive chapter to a Keeneland September Sale that has already produced record-setting activity at the top end of the market.
While the sale has moved beyond its elite Book 1 offerings, demand remained strong deeper into the catalog, with gains in gross, average and median during Session 7.
With $462.98 million already generated through the ring and 70 million-dollar yearlings sold, the 2026 Keeneland September Yearling Sale continues to demonstrate considerable strength as it enters the final five sessions of its 12-day run.
Agentes 305 will continue following the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, bringing the latest results, major purchases and stories from Lexington as the sale moves toward its conclusion.
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