Keeneland's November Breeding Stock Sale ended last week with sales records for average and median price and the third highest gross in the history of the auction.

On the first day of the sale, Ashado attracted a world record bid-$9 million-for a broodmare or broodmare prospect. It was the fourth highest price ever paid for a horse at public auction.

Keeneland sold 2,816 horses for $289,602,900 during the 12-day auction. Three stallion shares brought an additional $3,500. The average, $102,842, topped the previous record of $97,348 set last year and the median, $35,000, bettered the previous high of $32,000 in 1999, 2003 and 2004.

Gross sales were up 3.5 percent from 2004 for 2 percent fewer horses. The average and median were up, 5.6 percent and 9.4 percent, respectively. Last year, 2,873 horses brought $279,680,200.

"Solid and consistent from start to finish," said Keeneland's Director of Sales Geoffrey Russell, noting that the "not sold rate was similar to last year."

"Keeneland is the international marketplace for horses. Beginning with the September Sale and continuing through November, 47 states and 38 countries have been represented among the buyers. Central Kentucky is the commercial Thoroughbred capital of the world."

And just when you thought such massive catalogues were over - along comes the news that Keeneland has cataloged a record 2,508 horses for its 2006 January Horses of All Ages Sale- 435 more horses than the previous record of 2,073 cataloged last year. The 2006 sale will span seven days- Monday, January 9 though Sunday, January 15- compared to six days last year.

The total number consists of 1,290 broodmares and broodmare prospects, 924 yearlings, 268 horses of racing age and 22 stallions or stallion prospects and 4 stallion shares.

(all prices in USD)