In a sign of the Thoroughbred breeding market contraction, Keeneland will offer 4,702 horses in its November Breeding Stock Sale catalog, a drop of more than 1,000 horses from last year.

It is the smallest catalog since 2005 and 18 percent fewer than the peak of 5,709 catalogued in 2008.

Last year's enormous sale was battered by the worldwide economic downturn: Only 3,019 horses sold, and gross receipts were less than $186 million, down 45.6 percent from the record $341 million just the year before.

This year's 13-day sale starts Nov. 10, a day later than usual, to accommodate those attending the Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif., on Nov. 6 and 7.

The sale will include the dispersals of two top breeding establishments: the W.T. Young family's Overbrook Farm and Windfields Farm, founded by the late E.P. Taylor. Among the 1,885 weanlings offered is one of the last three foals sired by the legendary Storm Cat, pensioned at Overbrook in 2008.

In addition to mares covered by top established sires, the sale will feature the mares carrying the first foals of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin and Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown.

Catalogs are available at www.keeneland.com on Monday. Print catalogs will be mailed Oct. 19.