Keeneland’s September Yearling Sale resumed Saturday after a one-day hiatus with the first session of the two-day Book 3, which recorded nearly $47 million in sales and was led by the purchase of a colt from the first crop of Horse of the Year Authentic for $875,000 by Donato Lanni, agent for SF/Starlight/Madaket.

Keeneland sold 285 yearlings Saturday for $46,697,000, which was 7.98 percent below the gross of $50,747,500 from the corresponding session last year when 287 horses sold. The average of $163,849 was 7.34 percent below $176,821 in 2022, and the median of $130,000 declined 7.14 percent from $140,000.

Through five sessions of the 12-session auction, a total of 922 horses have sold through the ring for $280,997,000, for an average of $304,769 and a median of $225,000. The gross is slightly lower than $287,737,500 for 956 horses in 2022, while the average is up 1.26 percent from last year’s $300,981 and the median remains the same.

The session topper, who was consigned by Eaton Sales, agent, is out of the multiple graded stakes-placed Street Sense mare Sweetgrass. He is from the family of champion Althea.

Donato Lanni, agent for SF/Starlight/Madaket, was the session’s leading buyer by purchasing three yearlings for $1,735,000.

St. Elias, Talla Racing and Spendthrift Farm paid $775,000 for a colt from the first crop of Grade 1 winner Vekoma. Consigned by Legacy Bloodstock, agent for Spendthrift Farm, he is out of stakes winner Summer of Fun, a daughter of Include who was third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1). The colt is from the family of Grade 1 winner Louis Cyphre (IRE) and Grade/Group 2 winners Psychobabble (IRE) and Mekong Melody (IRE).

St. Elias/Starlight/Harrell Ventures paid $600,000 for an Army Mule colt from the family of Grade 1 winner The Big Beast and Grade 3 winner Stickstatelydude. Out of She Beast, a winning daughter of The Factor, he was consigned by Hill ‘n’ Dale at Xalapa.

Hill ‘n’ Dale at Xalapa also consigned a colt by Kitten’s Joy who sold for $585,000 to CHC Inc./

Qatar Racing. A half-brother to stakes winner My Boy Prince, second in the Summer (G1) at Woodbine on Saturday, he is out of stakes winner Hopping Not Hoping, by Silent Name (JPN), and from the family of 2023 Beholder Mile (G1) winner A Mo Reay and Grade 1 winner Wonder Lady Anne L. 

Pin Oak Stud paid $575,000 for a colt by Practical Joke consigned by Scott Mallory, agent. Out of String Section, by Candy Ride (ARG), he is from the family of Grade 1 winner Behrens and Grade 2 winners Cowboy Cal and Rosier.

The next three most expensive yearlings all were consigned by Gainesway, agent, the session’s leading consignor with sales of $6,067,000 for 28 horses.

Frank Fletcher Racing Operation purchased a colt by Tapit who is a half-brother to Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) winner Spun to Run for $550,000. The colt, who is out of stakes winner Yawkey Way, by Grand Slam, also is a half-brother to stakes winner Tap It All and from the family of Grade 1 winner All Fired Up.

An Into Mischief filly from the family of champion Covfefe sold to Live Oak Plantation for $525,000. Out of the Discreet Cat mare Acrobatique, she also is from the family of UAE Horse of the Year Festival of Light, Japanese champion Yamanin Paradise, Grade 1 winners Acoma and Arch, Group 2 winner Albiano and Grade 3 winners Aztec Sense and Campaign.

Bringing $500,000 was a colt by Candy Ride (ARG) purchased by Jebel Ali Stables/Michael Costa. Out of the Jade Hunter mare Lethal Hunter, he is a half-brother to stakes winner The Hunted and from the family of Grade 2 winner Lethal Heat.

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The September Sale continues Sunday at 10 a.m. ET and runs daily through Saturday, Sept. 23 for a total of 12 sessions. The entire auction is streamed live at Keeneland.com.