The Keeneland September Yearling Sale has seen intense competition among buyers, particularly when it comes to selecting potential racehorses based on their pedigree. Notably, the late Bernardini has dominated the broodmare sire rankings through six sessions of the sale, leading with six yearlings selling for seven figures.
Bernardini, a classic-winning son of A.P. Indy, holds the fifth position in progeny earnings on the North American leading broodmare sire list as of mid-September. In addition, he’s third for the number of stakes winners in 2023, with a total of 21. His most prestigious yearling so far is a $1.7 million colt by Not This Time (Hip 211), out of the winning mare Wembley—a daughter of grade 1 winner Game Face. This colt was purchased by agent Pedro Lanz on behalf of KAS Stables, which is already in possession of a promising Bernardini progeny, a 3-year-old filly named Mazayaat.
Three of the yearlings by Bernardini are sired by Gun Runner, the leading sire at the September sale with an average price of $887,436 among those with three or more sold. The combination of Bernardini and Gun Runner has produced impressive results, with six out of 14 foals of racing age being winners, including three black-type stakes winners. Life Talk, one such standout, recently clinched the 2023 Demoiselle Stakes (G2).
Repole Stable further exemplifies the trend, acquiring a Gun Runner colt (Hip 278) for $1.5 million out of three-time grade 1 winner Cavorting.
The sale has not only been advantageous for Bernardini but has also highlighted other broodmare sires. Tapit and Curlin follow closely, each producing four seven-figure yearlings. Tapit currently leads all broodmare sires with nearly $28.7 million in progeny earnings, while his own yearling worth $3.3 million was purchased for a partnership that includes Coolmore and Winchell Thoroughbreds. Curlin’s standout is a $1.7 million colt by Flightline, purchased by a Japanese owner.
As the sale progresses, several other prominent broodmare sires are making their mark. Quality Road maintains the highest average price among those with a minimum of 10 sold at $568,571, followed by Into Mischief with $551,000. Each has produced multiple seven-figure yearlings, and both are well positioned in the ongoing brooding sire rankings.
Overall, the Keeneland September Yearling Sale is shaping up to be a pivotal event in the horse racing industry, showcasing the power of pedigree and the potential for future champions through proven bloodlines. As buyers continue to scrutinize every detail, the legacy of notable sires like Bernardini, Tapit, and Gun Runner remains a focal point of this prestigious sale.
