By Bloodhorse.com
LEXINGON, Ky. (Sept. 12, 2012) -- Boosted by a $1.55 million son of Bernardini, the Keeneland September yearling sale in Lexington enjoyed an upbeat third session. The gross, average price, and median price all rose from the corresponding session in 2011, registering increases of 5.3%, 15.6%, and 11.5%, respectively.
Sept. 12 was a big day for the selling team of Catherine Parke of Valkyre Stud and Bill Currin. The session-topping colt was the most expensive yearling ever sold at public auction by both Parke, whose small farm is located near Georgetown, Ky, and Currin, who bred the strapping bay. Currin and his wife, Betty, have been Parke's clients for more than 30 years. "Bill and Betty are like my parents," said Park, struggling to hold back tears of joy. "It's a beautiful experience when something like this happens to the people who have been so good to you for so long."
The colt was one of eight yearlings that commanded prices of $500,000 or more during the second session of book two of the September sale catalog. The results for the day included a gross of $34,573,000 for the 196 yearlings that were sold. The average price was $176,393 and the median price was $145,000.
The number sold fell 8.8% while the buyback rate rose to 26.6% from 23.5% in in 2011.