First-Crop Yearling Sires Poised for Strong September Sale
The firstโ yearlings by severalโ prominent โracehorses are generating important buzz and commanding โขhigh โprices as the September โYearlingโ Sale approaches, signaling a potentially robust market for these young sires. โขLeading the way are Epicenter, whose yearlings are averaging $152,727, and Jack Christopher, with an average of $152,500.
This year’s September Sale is notably important โfor breeders, buyers, and theโค stallions โฃthemselves, as it represents โthe first real market test of their progeny. Strong results โฃwill not only validateโฃ the pedigree choices made by breeders but also establish the commercial viability of these sires, โฃinfluencing โฃfuture mating decisions and stud fees. The sale, held at Keeneland, is a crucial indicator of the health of the thoroughbred industry and a keyโ opportunity โขfor investors โฃto acquire potential futureโ stars.
Several sires entering their first yearling sales โขseason boast impressiveโข resumes from their racing careers.โ Epicenter, a 2019 colt, demonstrated consistent high-level performance,โข finishing second in both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes before securing a victory in the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2). Jack Christopher, also aโข 2019 colt, achieved a Grade 1 victory in the Champagne Stakes as a two-year-old.
Goldenโ Pal and Corniche also standโฃ out as promising first-crop sires, both having excelled in their juvenile campaigns. Golden Pal captured the 2020 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2T),โ while Corniche was crowned champion 2-year-old male after winning the 2021 American Pharoah Stakes (G1) andโฃ Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). The early success of โขthese horses on the track is expected to translate into strong demand forโ their offspring at auction.