LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – It was an exciting time at Keeneland over the weekend. After 12 days the 2024 September Yearling Sale wrapped up on Saturday. This year, Keeneland had record-breaking sales, totaling more than $410 million. Tony Lacy, the Vice President of sales at Keeneland, spoke about the breaking their record. “This year has been incredible from the very get go,” said Lacy. “Book one came out for the gates really really strong. We saw an energy and enthusiasm for our sport and for buying good horses that we haven’t seen in a number of years.” People from across the U.S. and around 31 countries came out to purchase a horse. Keeneland sold close to 3,000 horses during the sale, with 36 selling for $1 million or more. The highest selling yearling sold for $5 million. These sales led Keeneland to breaking their record. Lacy says this is great for the industry. “This is an expectational result for the industry. I think it shows the enthusiasm and the confidence in our sport and also in the breeding program itself. We have some of the best breeders in our area and around the country. But they entrust us here at Keeneland to sale the product to the global market.” He says this also shows the younger generation that the industry will going to be strong for many years to come. “Its relief and its also gratitude. I think if we look at it, its not just for us because everything we do is put back into the community.” Keeneland gives back to many organizations across the community, a fundamental of why Keeneland was set up according to Lacy. He says that this record breaking year, not only effects the horse racing industry, but also the economy. “So this has a huge knock on effect on the local economy. Not only just for our visitors, but also for the reinvestment form the people that live here locally. All for this money is regenerated, very little of it leaves the industry, its all regenerated through the economy.” The next event at Keeneland is the 2024 Fall Meet, which begins on October 4th. Categories: Featured, Local News, News Tags: Economic Impact, Keeneland, keeneland fall sale, Keeneland September Yearling Sale, record breaking, record breaking sale, September Yearling Sale, Tony Lacy