Pinhooking is a high-risk game in the auction business. You buy a horse for resale purposes that you hope will exceed its purchase price when it makes another trip back through the sale ring.
The Fasig-Tipton Saratoga select yearling sale in New York Aug. 6-7 has seven young horses that were acquired previously at public auction for $200,000 or more apiece, which meant their conformation probably was pretty darn good when they were younger. Their buyers made a big bet that those animals’ appearances would improve even more and/or that a member of their families would step up and race impressively.
Following is a list of the Saratoga sale horses that commanded expensive prices at public auction earlier in their lives:
Hip No. 47, a colt by Malibu Moon – Partyship, by Premiership. Consigned by Dromoland Farm, agent.
Snow Ridge Farm purchased this chestnut yearling for $290,000 at the 2011 Keeneland November breeding stock sale. He is a half brother to stakes winner Barrier Reef (by Mizzen Mast ).
Hip No. 56, a filly by More Than Ready – Queen’s Court, by Monarchos. Consigned by Dromoland Farm, agent.
Trail Ridge Farm purchased this filly for $290,000 at the 2011 Keeneland November breeding stock sale.
Hip No. 17, a colt by Bernardini – La Grande Mamma, by Compadre. Consigned by VanMeter Sales, agent.
Maurice W. Miller III purchased this bay yearling for $280,000 at the 2011 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky November select mixed sale. The colt is out of a Canadian stakes winner.
Hip No. 178, a filly by Empire Maker – Fitted Crown, by Chief's Crown. Consigned by Dromoland Farm, agent.
Pearl Street Farm purchased this bay yearling for $280,000 at the 2011 Keeneland November breeding stock sale. She is a half sister to grade I winner Excellent Meeting (by General Meeting).
Hip No. 115, a filly by Bernardini – Uninhibited Song, by Unbridled's Song. Consigned by Romans Racing & Sales, agent.
Carolyn Vogel purchased this bay yearling for $275,000 at the 2011 Keeneland November breeding stock sale.
Hip No. 65, a colt by Street Sense – Richbabe, by Richman. Consigned by Dromoland Farm, agent.
Vail Equine purchased this dark bay or brown yearling for $250,000 at the 2011 Keeneland November breeding stock sale. He is out of a stakes winner and is a half brother to grade III winner Richwoman (by Successful Appeal).
Hip No. 187, a colt by Elusive Quality – Grace Anatomy, by Aldebaran. Consigned by Mill Ridge Sales, agent.
Florida Bloodstock Investments purchased this bay yearling for $250,000 at this year’s Keeneland January horses of all ages sale.