A colt by top young American sire Gun Runner and a filly from the first crop of unbeaten superstar Flightline sold for US$2.2 million (A$3,327,787) each during a record day two Keeneland September Yearling Sale session.
The Gun Runner colt, a brother to Grade 1 Preakness Stakes winner Early Voting, was purchased by trainer Wesley Ward while the Flightline filly was knocked down to LSU Stables on a day when 20 yearlings sold for US$1 million or more.
It takes the number of seven-figure yearlings sold at the US yearling sale to 35 after two days as the surge in demand for bloodstock continues the tone set at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale held last month.
A noted trainer of sprinters, Ward said he was hoping his leading purchase could follow in the footsteps of his brother.
“As I’m starting to get the white hair now, I’m looking to get horses that go a little further,” Ward said.
“I’ve been centered on fast horses and speed horses, and I’ve decided it’s time now to get some horses into my barn that look like they can go at the classic level and this looks to be the one."
Trade was up 16 per cent year-on-year for the second of the premier Book 1 offering, with US$75.945 million changing hands at an average of $675,180, up 11 per cent compared to 2024.
"We have 20 horses that brought seven figures (on Tuesday). Of that, 13 were sold to different buyers, and we all like to see that diversity. It was just a fabulous Book 1," Keeneland president and chief executive Shannon Arvin said.