The Fasig-Tipton Midlantic sale of 2-year-olds in training turned in an impressive performance in 2010. The gross and average price increased 23% and 14%, respectively, from the previous year while the median price rose 8%.
Will the positive trends continue during the auction’s latest edition, which is scheduled for May 23-24 in Timonium, Md.?
Nobody knows for sure, but Fasig-Tipton president Boyd Browning’s outlook was bright in the days leading up to the auction.
“I’m very optimistic,” he said. “We’ve had a ton of interest in the sale on a preliminary basis from prospective buyers. A lot of folks apparently are coming to Maryland and needing hotel rooms, so I think there will be a good buying group there. There should be a broad level of support at all price ranges and our consignors have got some really nice horses. I’m very enthusiastic.”
Korean shoppers, who were active at the lower levels of last year’s auction, are scheduled to return.
“They were an important factor last year and they’re going to be out in force again this year,” Browning said. “That will really help. They bid on a lot of horses, creating a lot of activity and giving other people confidence to bid as well.”
Last year, Hailey d’Oro, a Medaglia d'Oro filly set a record for a female Thoroughbred sold at public auction in Maryland when she brought $650,000 from Stonestreet Stables. This year, one of the top attractions could be the Scat Daddy filly that is a half sister to recent Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) winner Plum Pretty (by Medaglia d’Oro).
“It’s a very, very important (pedigree) update,” Browning said.
Also providing the auction a publicity boost is 2009 graduate Trappe Shot’s recent return to racing. In his first outing since last August, the son of Tapit captured the May 11 Waldoboro Stakes at Belmont Park, scoring his second career added-money victory. When offered at the Midlantic auction, Trappe Shot, who finished second in the 2010 Izod Haskell Invitational Stakes (gr. I), set a record for a Thoroughbred sold at public auction in Maryland with his $850,000 price.
Other graduates of the sale in recent years include champion Informed Decision and graded winners J J’s Lucky Train, No Advantage, Our Khrysty, Secret Gypsy, and Strike the Bell.
This year’s catalog has 600 horses.
“There is something for everybody, whether they’ve got $20,000 to spend for a horse or several hundred thousand,” Browning said. “There are a lot of options for people.”
Selling will begin each day at 10 a.m. EDT at the Timonium Sales Pavilion.