Fasig-Tipton officials unveiled the interior of the newly renovated Humphrey S. Finney Pavilion during a party at the company's upstate New York sales grounds the evening of Aug. 1. There was a ribbon-cutting ceremony before buyers, consignors, and other invitees were allowed to enter the building on a red carpet through its new front entrance flanked by stone columns.
Improvements included theater-style seats with cup holders big enough for 7-Eleven Big Gulps, tile flooring and new carpet, a new press box in a new location on the side of the pavilion instead of behind the auctioneer’s stand, and a buyer’s lounge adjacent to the buyer’s balcony, which was introduced last year. Wood paneling covered many of the walls and the color scheme incorporated golds and various warm shades of brown.
“I think it’s fabulous,” said New Jersey bloodstock agent Buzz Chace. “I like the whole thing; it’s all brand new and very modern. You can see everybody who’s bidding against you. It’s a first class job. If you want to promote the horse business to someone, bring them to Fasig-Tipton Saratoga.”
Florida bloodstock agent Barry Berkelhammer described the pavilion as “beautiful and very well done. It’s first class,” he added. Because there are fewer seats, “it’s nice and roomy,” he said. ‘It’s very warm-looking with all the woodwork.”
Joked Kentucky bloodstock agent Pete Bradley, “I just hope it helps the average” during the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling sale, which will be held in the pavilion Aug. 2 and 3, with each session beginning at 7 p.m.