LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Sheikh Mohammed al Maktoum paid $2.3 million Monday for a dark brown colt by the popular young stallion, Pulpit, to top the first day of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

	John Ferguson, agent for Sheikh Mohammed (right), called the high-priced Pulpit colt "exceptional."

Keeneland sold 218 yearlings on the first day of the 13-day auction, for a total of $67,552,000. Monday's average price was $309,872, with a median price of $200,000. A year ago, Keeneland sold 217 head on the sale's opening day for a total of $51,162,000.

"It was a great way to start the sale," said W.B. Rogers Beasley, Keeneland's sales director. "We expected for the sale to be up, but I don't think anybody expected for us to be up this much. It was a good day."

Bloodstock agent John Ferguson, who advises Sheikh Mohammed on his thoroughbred acquisitions, called the high-priced colt "exceptional."

"He is by an exciting young stallion and he's out of a Breeders' Cup winner (Epitome) who has already proven that she is a good broodmare," Ferguson said. "We thought that he would make a good price. He is an outstanding individual and in this market you have to pay for an outstanding individual."