Last year's New York-bred sale enjoyed increases of 20.2% and 26.6% from 2003 in average price and median price, respectively. The average of $49,969 and the median of $40,500 both were records for the auction. The gross revenue increased 6% to $5,596,500, another sale record.Stallions with offspring catalogued this yearinclude Buddha, Distorted Humor , Elusive Quality , Forestry, Include , Johannesburg, and Touch Gold.
Fresh off a successful Saratoga select sale, Fasig-Tipton officials hope to keep the momentum going with their New York-bred yearling auction Sunday and Monday. There are 211 yearlings catalogued for the two sessions, which each begin at 7 p.m. (EDT) at the Humphrey S. Finney Pavilion in Saratoga Springs, N.Y."The New York-bred racing program continues to be very strong," said Boyd Browning, Fasig-Tipton's executive vice president and chief operating officer. "Hopefully, there is a little more optimism about the VLTs (video lottery terminals) now, and their implementation will have a dramatic impact on the New York-bred program immediately. And you're seeing that New York-breds can compete at the top level."I'm hoping that we'll see a little more participation from your 'name' trainers," Browning continued. "I think more and more of them are beginning to see the benefits of having a nice New York-bred in their barn. I think we'll a see little more activity from buyers who are not our usual buyers of New York-breds, but I don't think that Coolmore is going to set their sights on the New York-bred program. But I think if they found the right horse, they would bid on it."