Keeneland Sales is the world’s largest and most prominent Thoroughbred auction house.
Comprehensive Sales Calendar
Keeneland operates a year-round auction schedule designed to serve every segment of the thoroughbred market:
January Horses of All Ages Sale
Features horses of all ages, including breeding stock, horses of racing age, and short yearlings, along with breeding seasons.
April Selected Horses of Racing Age Sale
Focuses on horses ready for immediate racing careers.
September Yearling Sale
The world’s largest sale of yearlings, permanently moved to September in 1960. This flagship event accepts all horses nominated to sale, making it the largest market for Thoroughbred yearlings globally.
November Breeding Stock Sale
The world’s most important auction of broodmares, broodmare prospects, weanlings, and stallions in terms of total sales and average.
Historical Foundation and Mission
Founded in 1935 on 147 acres of farmland west of Lexington that had been owned by Jack O. Keene, Keeneland operates as a nonprofit racing/auction entity. This unique structure allows the organization to reinvest profits back into racing and sales operations, supporting its mission to improve safety, promote integrity, and strengthen the sport of racing.