By Michael Compton
Judging by the final results of Fasig-Tipton's Florida sale of 2-year-olds in training at Gulfstream Park March 4, the sales company's decision to return its select offering to South Florida was clearly a winning one.
A total of 89 head changed hands (43 failed to sell), generating gross receipts of $20,095,500, compared to total sales of $13,370,000 on 47 head sold last year when the Florida sale was held at Adena Springs South near Williston, Fla. The sale averaged $225,792, compared to $284,468 a year ago and the median price was $130,000 compared to $180,000 in 2014.
"What we saw here tonight was the beginning of a major North American marketplace for quality 2-year-olds," Fasig-Tipton president Boyd Browning said. "It's a great venue. It's a great track. The barn area was fabulous. There was electricity and excitement here tonight. We couldn't be any more pleased with the results of the inaugural sale at Gulfstream Park.
"I don't think the results are comparable (to last year's figures). There is a pretty dramatic increase in gross, and I think that is what most sales companies are happy with. But this is a transitional year, and I don't think it is fair to compare this year's average to last year's average. What we saw was a healthy 2-year-old marketplace tonight. It was a competitive marketplace. We saw competitive bidding from a wide variety of bidders. I don't think many buyers think they stole one tonight. It's a fair marketplace."
Hip 130, a chestnut colt by Scat Daddy—Alittlebitearly, by Thunder Gulch consigned by Crupi's New Castle Farm, was the breakout star of the sale, bringing $1.4 million. M.V. Magnier signed the ticket for Coolmore Stud.
Crupi's New Castle Farm acquired the colt, who is a half-brother to Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) winner Bayern , for $450,000 out of the Gainesway consignment at last year's Keeneland September yearling sale.
"He's a fantastic mover, and his brother's a very good horse," Magnier said of the sale topper. "Bayern is a fantastic horse and his mother can obviously breed a good horse. Let's hope she does it again. He breezed very well."
Bred in Kentucky by Helen Alexander, the colt, who descends from the family of Althea, Festival of Light, Acoma, and Arch, drilled a sharp quarter in :10 1/5 at the under tack preview.
Coolmore also went to $900,000 to secure Hip No. 120, a Tapit colt out of stakes winner West Coast Swing, by Gone West.
The bay colt hails from the stellar female family of Dance Smartly and Smart Strike, and sold as the property of JSM Equine. Becky Thomas and Justin Casse, agent, consigned the colt, who was bred in Kentucky by WinStar Farm and was a $370,000 RNA at last year's Keeneland September sale.
"This is the best horse I've ever had," Casse said, moments after the colt exited the ring. "It's such a thrill. The horse is in great hands and will have every chance. I couldn't be happier."
Following the colt's furlong work in :10 1/5 at the under-tack preview, Thomas could not contain her enthusiasm.
"He is one of the most special colts I've ever been around," Thomas said. "He is a beautiful mover, and he's just stunning to look at. He has a beautiful walk and he covers a lot of ground. He had the best gallop out in the sale. He's an incredibly nice colt."
Coolmore and Stonestreet Stables partnered to purchase Hip 111, a son of Bernardini , for $900,000 from Northwest Stud. Bred in Kentucky by Ron Magers and Robert Marocchio, the bay colt is out of the winning Summer Squall mare Temporada and is a half-brother to stakes winners Third Chance and Banner Bill.
"I thought he worked fabulous," said Moynihan. "He's going to run two turns, and he went in :10 1/5 as easy as a horse can do it. We are excited."
Also pleased with the transaction was Northwest Stud's Alfredo Lichoa.
"They bought a horse from us last year (Carpe Diem at OBS March)," Lichoa said. "They are trusting us again, and I think they have another very, very nice horse."
Acquired by Northwest Stud for $400,000, out of the Betz Thoroughbreds consignment at last year's Keeneland September sale, the colt worked an eighth of a mile in :10 1/5 at the under tack preview.
In addition to selling the sale topper, Crupi's New Castle Farm also sold the top-priced filly of the sale, a daughter of Hard Spun (Hip 109), who fetched $850,000 from Let's Go Stable. Trainer Todd Pletcher signed the ticket on the dark bay or brown filly out of the Scat Daddy mare Swathisaway.
Crupi's New Castle Farm bought the Kentucky-bred for $175,000 at the 2014 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale. She worked an eighth of a mile in :10 1/5 at the under tack preview.
Two horses sold for $800,000. A colt by Smart Strike—My Miss Storm Cat, by Sea of Secrets, sold to Live Oak Plantation early in the sale. The colt is a full brother to 2-year-old filly champion My Miss Aurelia and was offered through the Secure Investments consignment. Also selling for $800,000 was Hip 172, who was bought by Katsumi Yoshida. The Giant's Causeway filly is the first foal from Canadian champion Embur's Song, by Unbridled's Song and she was consigned by Niall Brennan Stables, agent.
Crupi's New Castle Farm topped all other consignors at the sale, selling seven of nine offered for $3,820,000. Adena Springs was next, selling 39 of 47 for $2,353,500. Magnier led all buyers on Coolmore's two purchases, which totaled $2.3 million.
