Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Sale Grosses $3.86 Million

The Fasig-Tipton Midlantic December mixed sale ended its two-day run Monday in Maryland with sharp increases in gross revenue, average price, and median price. The gross rose 42.9% from a year ago to $3,862,300, which was the highest total for the auction since 2000, when Fasig-Tipton collected $4,315,700. Meanwhile, the average for the 363 horses sold advanced 41.8% to $10,640, and the median climbed 40.5% to $5,200.

"I'm thrilled that the strength of the Thoroughbred market hung on until our last sale of the year," said Mason Grasty, Fasig-Tipton Midlantic executive vice president. "It was a great way to end the year."

In 2003, 360 horses sold for a gross of $2,702,300, an average of $7,506, and a median of $3,700. The buy-back rate was 22.6% compared to 21.1% this year.

The final session featured weanlings yearlings, and horses of racing age, with the 214 lots sold grossing $2,378,500 and averaging $11,114. The median was $5,000. Eight weanlings each attracted prices of $50,000 or more compared to only two last year, Grasty said.

Malibu Monster, a weanling son of Malibu Moon  , brought the second day's top price of $160,000 and also was the highest-priced horse of the auction. Bred by John W. and Aileen D. Ferguson in Maryland, Malibu Monster is out of the 12-year-old Dancing Count mare Aileen's Countess, who captured the 1997 Snow Goose Handicap at Laurel and also finished third that year in he Pimlico Distaff Handicap (gr. II). Josham Farms, agent, purchased the dark bay or brown colt from Bill Reightler, agent for Hargett Farms.