Gross, average rise at Keeneland's November Breeding Stock Sale

Keeneland concluded its premier November Breeding Stock

Sale on Friday with solid results that echoed recent market trends: brisk trade

from the world's deepest contingent of buyers; keen competition for exceptional

individuals that led to 22 horses sold for seven-figures, highlighted by the

sale of champion TAKE CHARGE BRANDI for $6 million to be the most expensive

Thoroughbred sold at public auction in the world this year; and strong demand

for top-quality foals that produced a North American record-priced weanling for

the second consecutive November Sale.

This year's November Sale was held November 2-13, and

immediately followed Keeneland's successful inaugural hosting of the Breeders'

Cup World Championships on October 30-31.

"Keeneland has been the center of the Thoroughbred racing

and sales world this fall, with the race meet and Breeders' Cup bookended by two

strong auctions," Keeneland President and CEO Bill Thomason said. "As we planned

for the Breeders' Cup, we believed that its international appeal would

positively impact the November Sale, and it did.

"Horsemen from across the U.S.

and around the world attended the Breeders' Cup and then stayed to participate

in the sale, adding further depth to our already incomparable buying bench.

Consignors took advantage of this unique opportunity to showcase their best

horses to a global audience."

Gross sales of $218,959,400 for the 12-day November Sale

increased 6.34 percent over 2014, surpassing last year's 11-day auction total of

$205,899,500 on the ninth day of selling. Total sales represent the highest

gross since the November Sale record of $340,877,200 set in 2007. This year

2,575 horses were sold compared to 2,512 in 2014.

The cumulative average of $85,033 rose 3.74 percent from

last year's $81,966 to mark the highest since 2007. The median price of $30,000

was just below the $35,000 posted in 2014.

"The market continues to show stability; however, the

strength of this sale was built on the depth and breadth of buyers assembled at

Keeneland," Keeneland Director of Sales Geoffrey Russell said. "Keeneland's

international development strategy continues to bear fruit. Trade was very

active despite the diminished participation of last year's two leading buyers.

Our year-round recruitment efforts have established Keeneland as the world's

leading provider of horses and buyers at every level of the market."