By Alan Carasso
An Ashview Stud-consigned colt by Liam's Map (hip 3681) became the last of 29 horses to breach the $100,000 threshold during the second of two sessions in Book 5A of the Keeneland September Sale in Lexington Thursday afternoon, selling to bloodstock agent Chad Schumer, agent, for $480,000. And when the dust had settled on the 10th session of the auction, gross receipts had nudged past $500 million, extending the record for the sale.
“Surpassing $500 million at the September Sale marks a pivotal moment for our sport–a milestone the entire industry can celebrate together,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “This is a powerful testament to the health of the sport, and it reflects the remarkable energy, optimism and momentum we've been experiencing together across this entire sale.”
“New buyers are stepping in and making a tangible impact, which is truly a win for everyone connected to the game,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “But just as important are the breeders and consignors who have continued to entrust their horses to us year after year. Their confidence is the foundation of these results, and this moment is undeniable proof of what we can achieve as a community. We're so proud that Keeneland continues to be the stage where we see this growth and enthusiasm come to life.”
Also in the final 30 minutes of trade, a colt by the evergreen Ghostzapper took a short-lived lead at the top of the leaderboard when hammering for $200,000, equaling the best price from the corresponding day of trade 12 months ago, when a respectable 13 horses were knocked down for six-figure pricetags.
For the session, Keeneland reported sales on 299 horses for in-ring turnover of $12,600,500, a towering increase of 35.40% over the corresponding session in 2024. The average of $42,149 leaped by 25.89%, while the session median settled at $30,000, an improvement of 15.38%.
“I have never seen a market like this,” said Schumer, who signed the ticket on the day's dearest horse on behalf of KGS. “I have followed up some horses to do some breezing in Europe and I wasn't just getting outbid, I was getting completely blown out of the water. Not even close. This market is unreal. It's wonderful to see.”
The September Sale continues Friday with the first of two sessions of the rebranded Book 5B, with bidding to commence at 10 a.m. ET. The auction concludes on Saturday.
A 'Book 2 Or Book 3' Horse Shines In Book 5
Schumer was making his seventh and by far most expensive September purchase for an entity called KGS, described by the agent as 'foreign-based clients that are starting to ramp up what they are doing in the States.' Schumer, who frequently represents Saudi Arabian interests at auction, indicated this ownership group is based elsewhere overseas.
Schumer said he was duly impressed with hip 3681 and fully expected the colt to be popular in addition to being pricey.
“He's a beautiful colt, he vetted well and it's a nice pedigree,” he said. “I thought he was the best colt on the day. He was very correct and a tremendous mover with a great walk on him and loads of quality. He's a horse that wouldn't have been out of place in Book 2 or Book 3, but just a really beautiful colt and we are delighted to have him.”
The Apr. 20 foal was bred by Richard Santulli's Colts Neck Stables and is the latest produce from Introduced (El Padrino), a three-time stakes winner and earner of better than $400,000 in turf sprints. The colt's third dam was the popular New Jersey-bred turf distaffer Who Did It And Run (Polish Numbers), who beat the boys in the GII Jersey Derby in 1998.
Like many other sales professionals, Schumer has been overwhelmed with what has transpired in the Keeneland sales pavilion over the last 10 days.
“Everyone is talking about the bonus depreciation and the stock market, but I really think there is a renewed interest in horse racing, culturally,” he opined. “[Social media influencer] Griffin [Johnson] brought a lot of interest to racing, I think the documentary that Netflix did brought a ton of interest and suddenly there is a surge. When you couple that with purses the way they are, it's real money. An allowance horse can earn $200,000 or $300,000 and I think that elevates the value of all horses, especially Kentucky-breds.”
When the curtain dropped on the 2024 September Sale, gross receipts were just shy of $412 million. Schumer was having a difficult time comprehending the figures from this year.
“It's a staggering number, but what's even more noteworthy…imagine an extra $100 million injected into the market,” he said, emphasizing, 'A hundred million!'
“It's mindboggling. I think if this sale was up $20 million, we'd all be congratulating ourselves. Kudos to Keeneland, they've done a great job and to the breeders that have brought these horses to market. This particular horse was bred by the Lysters, they're excellent breeders and the horses are raised very naturally and that's attractive.”
Stars Align For Lysters, Santulli
As recently as 2022, the Lyster Family's Ashview Farm were responsible for a seven-figure seller at the September Sale, consigning a $1.05-million filly by Justify–Fully Living (Unbridled's Song). While the sale of Thursday's session topper was somewhat less flashy, in relative terms, the farm's Gray Lyster was extremely enthusiastic nevertheless.
“This horse could have been in Book 2 or Book 3, he was a very nice colt,” said Lyster, echoing Schumer's assessment. “Multiple people told me he was the nicest horse on the day and we're just very pleased that the money is still here.
He continued, “I think it's a testament to the market. If you bring a nice horse up there, they're going to pay you and nobody is a fool. You bring a really nice colt to any session and you're going to get paid in a really good market.”
There was plenty to recommend the colt, Lyster said.
Bryan, Wayne and Gray Lyster | ThoroStride
“He's just super athletic, everyone liked him,” he said. “He was always on his toes, everything fits. He's well-balanced and well-made. He showed himself very well and showed his athleticism. He vetted perfectly and the stars lined up.”
There were multiple bidders at higher levels, according to the consignor.
Ashview has had a long and fruitful relationship with Colts Neck Stables' Rich Santulli, and Gray Lyster expressed his gratitude for the successful businessman at the close of the session.
“Rich Santulli is a friend before he's a client. He is the greatest client a farm could ever hope to work for,” he said. “He never questions anything you say, he has opinions, but he is the most supportive guy and you just want to do well for him.
“He's a throwback owner in the sense that you never question his loyalty,” Lyster added. “He is easy to give bad news to because he feels worse for you than he does for himself. He is the greatest, literally. I'd do anything for him.”
Drain the Clock Quietly Making Presence Felt
This year's class of freshmen yearling sires is an extremely classy group, with the young offspring of Flightline, Life Is Good, Jackie's Warrior and Corniche all averaging better than $200,000 through Book 5. But Gainesway freshman Drain the Clock (Maclean's Music) has created some buzz of his own, with 36 horses selling at an average of just under $85,000. Fully a third of those have fetched prices in excess of $100,000, with a top result of $250,000 for a colt out of Outkickthecoverage (Hard Spun).
During Thursday's 10th session, the 7-year-old stallion was responsible for a pair of six-figure sellers, each returning a sound profit on weanling-to-yearling resale.
“We are very excited with what he's throwing,” said Gainesway Stallion Director Ryan Norton. “They're very well-balanced individuals, everyone is very excited about him. Obviously the sales results show that. He's replicating himself. He is a very well-balanced horse himself, a fast-looking horse and his offspring reflect those qualities.
“He is a good-sized horse and he's putting good size into his offspring,” Norton added. “I've had several people approach me to say that these Drain the Clocks are some of the most consistent-looking foals of any stallions on the sales grounds.”
Drain the Clock | Sara Gordon
With the aforementioned Jackie's Warrior making his mark with his first crop at the sales and with Complexity punching above his weight, Norton believes that Maclean's Music is making the offspring of his sire sons that much more attractive. But he also feels the Drain the Clocks could have some scope.
“Maclean's Music is definitely speed, but him being out of an Arch mare and with some Pivotal (GB) down there [in the pedigree] as well, these horses should be able to stretch out as well.”
Norton is looking forward to next year's breeze-up sales and the racetrack beyond that for the progeny of Drain the Clock, who have appealed to end-users and 2-year-old pinhookers alike thus far.
“They're in high demand and this time next year we'll know where we are at, but we are very excited for the future,” he said.
Norton said that Drain the Clock covered 136 mares this past season.
Together, we made history. Thank you. #KeeSept pic.twitter.com/zOuETnlO93
— Keeneland Sales (@keenelandsales) September 18, 2025
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