A Quiet American colt made $430,000 to head the leader-board on Day 7 of the Keeneland September yearling sale on Sunday.

The colt is out of a half-sister to Group 1 winners Pleasant Tap (Pleasant Colony) and Go for Gin (Cormorant) and was knocked down to Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas.  He originally changed hands for $22,000 as a foal at Keeneland last November.

“We waited all day for this colt,” Lukas said after signing the sale sheet on behalf of Bluegrass Hall owner David Kelley.  “He went a little stronger than I thought he would.  But the money is still here; people want racehorses.

“Before I quit the game I’d like to win another classic, and I’d like to win it for Mr. Kelley,” Lukas added.  “He’s been a trouper all week buying horses and I think we’re building a very, very solid racing stable.”

The Quiet American colt is out of the unraced A.P. Indy mare No Knocks.  Her famous half-brothers Pleasant Tap and Go for Gin were both millionaires who later made an impact at stud.

Pleasant Tap won the 1992 Jockey Club Gold Cup and finished second to A.P. Indy in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.  Go for Gin won the 1994 Kentucky Derby and finished second in the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes.

A Giant’s Causeway colt was next best at $300,000.  The chestnut was produced by Comeon Dixie (Mr. Greeley) who is a half-sister to leading sire Limehouse (Grand Slam).  She is also a half-sister to the ill-fated 2005 UAE. Derby winner Blues and Royals (Honour and Glory).

On Sunday, 292 horses brought a total of $20.57 million at an average price of $70,462.  That was a 38% increase over the corresponding session last year.  The median price of $50,000 was up 27%.

The Keeneland September yearling sale continues through to Saturday, September 24.