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Keeneland (Horse) Sale Continues to Show Strength; Petionville brought the session's second-highest price.

The market showed no sign of slowing Tuesday during the eighth session of Keeneland's September Yearling Sale, with across the board increases in the key statistical categories.

On Tuesday, Keeneland sold 294 horses for $15,115,500, a 17% increase from a year ago when 283 horses brought $12,917,500. Average price for the day of $51,413 rose 12.6% over last year's comparable session average of $45,645. The median price of $40,000 was up 8.1% over the $37,000 posted in 2005.

"We continue to see strength from the European buyers, who have been active not only in the select portion of the sale but also in the middle market," said Geoffrey Russell, Keeneland's director of sales. "The two new 2-year-old sales in Europe and the favorable exchange rate are factors in their continued participation."

Through eight days of the 14-day sale, Keeneland has sold 2,023 horses for $365,071,000, an average of $180,460 and a median of $90,000. The gross, average and median are up 3.5%, 5.3%, and 12.5%, respectively.

Tuesday's session topper came near the close of the session, when John Brocklebank, as agent, went to $500,000 to purchase a colt from the first crop of Booklet. Consigned by Vinery Ltd, the colt is out of the unraced Wavering Monarch mare Fees Waved.

A filly by Petionville brought the session's second-highest price, a final bid of $250,000 from Taylor Stables LLC. Out of the Nijinsky II mare So Unusual, the filly is a full sister to stakes winner Haitian Vacation. She was consigned to the sale by Pope McLean (Crestwood Farm), agent.

The sale continues through Monday, Sept. 25, with daily sessions starting at 10 a.m.