As major yearling sales in Kentucky and Pennsylvania draw near, there has been trepidation among breeders as to how the market will hold

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The most heartening sign to date has been the huge 12-day Keeneland thoroughbred yearling auction in Lexington, where total, average and median prices were up and buybacks were down. The overall sale showed an increase of 3% from 2009 figures.

Thoroughbred Times reported average price up 6.7%, median up 13.6%, and buybacks -- yearlings not sold -- down from 27.5% to 26.7%.

An American buyer purchased the highest priced yearling for $4.2 million, and the Arab sheiks again were active, pouring millions into the sales totals as the leading buyer in total sales.

Keeneland rearranged its sales structure this year, offering its top colts and fillies on the first two nights of the sale, then selling the rest by alphabetical order of dams.

(Harness Tracks of America)