Cairo Prince colt tops seventh Keeneland session at $350,000

A half-brother to Grade 3 winner Zipessa from the first crop of multiple Grade 2 scorer Cairo Prince, brought $350,000 from Mike Ryan, agent, on Day 7 of the 2017 Keeneland September Yearling Sale on Monday.

Consigned by Lane's End, agent, the March 22, Kentucky-bred gray was offered as Hip No. 2196 and is out of the stakes-placed Precious Princess, by Horse Chestnut.

Precious Princess' most successful runner to date is Zipessa, winner of the Dr. James Penny Memorial (G3) and Grade 1-placed in the Beverly D. and Rodeo Drive last season. Zipessa was most recently second by a neck to Miss Temple City in the Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf (G3) on September 9.

Glen Hill Farm purchased the session's highest-priced filly, a daughter of 2013 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Orb consigned by Claiborne Farm, agent. Hip 2147 was gaveled down for $285,000. The January 25 Kentucky-bred is out of Maxinkuckee Miss, a stakes-placed daughter of Langfuhr.

Business was down on Day 7 compared to the corresponding session last year, although the auction has now surpassed the total sales from the 13-session 2016 sale with five days of selling remaining this week.

On Monday, 276 horses sold for $18,385,000, a decline of 12.2 percent from a year ago when 286 yearlings brought $20,935,500. The average was off 9 percent, from $73,201 to $66,612, while the median declined 13 percent, from $57,500 to $50,000.

Overall, 1,455 horses has grossed $273,298,000, up 17 percent from 2016 when 1,367 yearlings sold for $233,684,500. The average has risen 9.9 percent, from $170,947 to $187,834, while the median is up 20 percent, from $100,000 to $120,000.

The sale continues daily through Saturday with sessions beginning at 10 a.m. (EDT). Full results can be found at keeneland.com.