The Fasig-Tipton Texas December mixed sale, which was the last major Thoroughbred auction of the year in this country, followed the downward trend that has plagued the equine marketplace in recent months. The gross revenue plummeted 46.7% Dec. 14 at Lone Star Park compared to a year ago, while the average price dropped 36%. The median declined 14.3%.
“We performed well in the market available,” said Tim Boyce, the Fasig-Tipton Texas director of sales. “It would have been foolish to have expected us not to follow the national market. We don’t have our heads in the sand; we’ve seen what’s been going on.”
Fasig-Tipton reported that 104 horses were sold for a gross of $306,300. The average was $2,945, and the median was $1,800. Last year, the 125 horses that sold grossed $574,700 and averaged $4,598. The median was $2,100.
The buy-back rate rose from 21.9% in 2007 to 46.7% this year.
Lenten Moon was the most expensive horse sold, bringing $16,000. The weanling colt was sired by Ole Rebel(a stakes-winning son of Carson City) and is out of the 17-year-old Sunny’s Halo mare Sardinia. Bred in Louisiana by Barali Farm, Lenten Moon is a half-brother to five winners, including Valiant Commander (by Valiant Lark), who earned $146,805.
Consigned by Elysian Bloodstock, Lenten Moon was purchased by Terry Gabriel of Elysian.
Unrehearsed was the highest-priced broodmare sold, at $15,000. Elysian Bloodstock bought the 6-year-old unraced of daughter Unbridled from Lane’s End Texas, agent for Stonerside Stable.
Unrehearsed, who is in foal to Valid Expectations, is out of the stakes-placed Wild Again mare Shuttered, who won seven times. Shuttered is a half-sister to four added-money winners, including grade III winner Stem the Tide (by Proud Truth) and Gottcha Last (by Pleasant Tap), who produced grade III winner Gottcha Gold (by Coronado’s Quest).