The last session of the Keeneland November Sale isn’t known for producing six-figure horses, however, Royal Irish Lass bucked the historical trend when selling for $210,000 at Friday’s finale.

The Day 11 trade witnessed 192 horses sell for $1.26 million and the average jumped 29% to $6,609.

Royal Irish Lass (Saint Ballado) is the dam of current stakes-winning juvenile Tara from the Cape and was purchased by Brandywine Farm owners Jim and Pam Robinson.  Tara from the Cape (Leroidesanimaux) won the Tuck Greene Memorial at Delaware Park in August and has since finished fourth in the G1 Alcibiades Stakes and G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.

Over the entire 11-day sale, 2,414 horses grossed $143.02 million.  The average of $59,248 was down 27% and the median declined 8% to $22,000.

Although the cumulative numbers were down across the board compared to the 2011 sale, Keeneland vice-president Walt Robertson it was very encouraging in that the market laid down a stable foundation for the industry.

Last year’s auction had been boosted by dispersals of the late Edward P. Evans and Saud bin Khaled’s Palides Investments.  “They were vintage dispersals,” Robertson explained.  “This year we saw a truer market and we definitely saw a concentration on quality with regard to all types – broodmares, weanlings and horses of racing age.  There is no doubt the money is out there for a good horse.”

Seven horses made $1 million or more at the November Sale led by the $4.50 million paid by Brazilian-based Goncalo Torrealba for G1 winner Pure Clan (Pure Prize) who was offered in foal to Bernardini.