Book 1 of the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale produced strong results for Coolmore's Triple Crown winners Justify (USA) and American Pharoah (USA), whose progeny were in keen demand.
Justify had 25 yearlings sell over two days at an average $US500,880 ($A684,673), which was well above the overall Book 1 sale average of $435,683.
His aggregate of $12,522,000 was second only to champion sire Into Mischief and ahead of Quality Road and Curlin.
The top seller for Justify came on the first day of the sale when Hideyuki More paid $950,000 for the grey colt from Starclassysansidego, but he had several big sales on Tuesday.
Justin Casse purchased the half-brother to Champion Older Dirt Mare Midnight Bisou from Group III winner Diva Delite on behalf of MV Magnier for $775,000 and Lanni Bloodstock paid $750,000 for a colt from Group I winning Galileo mare Together Forever.
There were two stunning top selling fillies for Justify sharing top honours after fetching $750,000 apiece.
MV Magnier bought the half-sister to Champion Sprinter Runhappy from Bella Jolie and Spendthrift Farm secured a filly from Group I placed American Cleopatra, the full sister to Triple Crown winner and now leading Group I sire American Pharoah.
American Pharoah sired the top priced filly of Book 1 achieving his best result on Monday with the filly from Letgomyecho selling for $1.4million to Northshore Bloodstock, while his next best result was a filly from Group III winner Delightful Joy that made $700,000 when bought by Steven W. Young.
Justify will have his first Australian conceived yearlings selling at our sales in 2022 and American Pharoah’s oldest local progeny are three year-olds.
Justify stands this spring at a fee of $55,000 and American Pharoah at $49,500.
