Buyers from across the United States and around the world will converge upon Keeneland for the opening of its prestigious September Yearling Sale on Monday.

Keeneland has catalogued 3,604 yearlings for the 11-day sale, which runs through to Friday, September 21.  Book 1 is a select sale of 132 yearlings scheduled to begin on Monday and Book 2 will be held on Tuesday through to Thursday with 915 yearlings.

The September Sale has earned a global reputation for offering unique and extraordinary individuals at every level of the market, borne out by an unparalleled track record.

September Sale graduates have won 63 Group stakes since May including I’ll Have Another (Kentucky Derby and Preakness); To Honor and Serve (Woodward); Believe You Can (Kentucky Oaks); Dullahan (Pacific Classic); Paynter (Haskell Invitational); Game on Dude (Hollywood Gold Cup); Contested (Acorn and Test Stakes); Executiveprivilege (Del Mar Debutante); Elusive Kate (Prix Rothschild) and Emma’s Encore (Prioress Stakes).

“There have been 19 Group 1 winners this year,” Keeneland vice-president Walt Robertson said.  “It’s understandable why the world shops at Keeneland.”

Paynter (Awesome Again), a last-start winner of the G1 Haskell Invitational, has a Street Cry half-brother catalogued as Lot 41.  His G1-winning stablemate Bodemeister, second in both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes this season, has a Smart Strike half-sister entered as Lot 45.

Undefeated filly My Miss Aurelia will see her Distorted Humor half-brother parade as the last yearling through the ring on Monday as Lot 132.  Champion 2010 2YO Uncle Mo has a Broken Vow half-brother consigned as Lot 10.

An Unbridled’s Song half-sister to G1 queen You is due to parade as Lot 6.  A Street Cry half-sister to 2009 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint winner Informed Decision has been catalogued as Lot 8.  And G1 winning mare Memories of Silver has a Tiznow colt parading as Lot 123.

Yearlings by 239 stallions have been catalogued for the 2012 Sale.  Other highlights include yearlings from the final crop of champion sire A.P. Indy who was pensioned last year.  Nine A.P. Indy yearlings are catalogued in Monday’s opening select session alone.

Based on the results seen at other yearling auctions in 2012, there’s a good market for a good horse in the upper ranges.  “How strong it’s going to be at the very top, only time will tell,” Keeneland vice president Walt Robertson  said.  “I feel like the market will be pretty good in the $300,000 to $700,000 range.”