Happily Unbridled

The marathon Keeneland September yearling sale drew to a close Sept. 28 with some of the biggest declines in key statistical categories in recent history as the gross receipts fell 41.5%, the average was down 33.2%, and the median was off 40.5% for the 14 sessions.

A colt and a filly each brought $55,000 to top the first session of the two-day Breeders Sales Co. of Louisiana yearling sale Sept. 28 in Monroe, La.

Graded stakes winner Mr. Jester came through with his first winner when his daughter Jesters Jazz won Sept. 26 in her initial outing.

Graded stakes winner Lydgate sired his first winner when his son Bon Ami Pete won Sept. 24 at Retama Park in his initial start.

Based on a review of its experimental three night racing cards during the spring meet, Churchill Downs Inc. announced Sept. 28 it will install permanent lights at its flagship racetrack in Louisville.

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced Sept. 28 that the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, Calif., has been fully accredited by the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance following a complete review of all racing operations at the facility

The chances of Sea The Stars being withdrawn from Sunday’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Fr-I) due to soft ground appear slim to none, as the weather forecast calls for little or no rain through next Tuesday.

Sequel Stallions New York will transfer its stallions Freud, Hook and Ladder, and Read the Footnotes to Keane Stud near Amenia, N.Y.

Emerald Downs-based trainer Doris Harwood shipped two horses into Hastings Racecourse for the Sept. 27 British Columbia Derby and left with first and third money.

A Giant’s Causeway filly, the first foal out of 2005 Boylesports Irish One Thousand Guineas (Ire-I) winner Saoire, was the star of Goffs Orby yearling sale’s opening session in Ireland Sept. 29. She commanded the highest price of 475,000 euros ($695,124 in U.S funds) from bloodstock agent Hugo Merry, who was acting on behalf of Dr. Jim Hay.