By Pete Spanos and Amy Whitfield
The 2004 Fasig-Tipton fall yearling sale concluded Tuesday, with figures for the second and final session of the two-day auction showing a slight increase when compared to sales tallies recorded for the final session of 2003.Fasig-Tipton reported 256 head sold Tuesday for a gross of $4,564,800, up 1% from the second day of 2003 which ended grossing $4,527,600. The average price of $17,831 inched up 2% from the 2003 figure of $17,481. The median did fall from $9,500 to 8,500--a drop of 9%.After the sale, Fasig-Tipton president Walt Robertson, speaking a little slower and more perceptibly than just moments before his final gavel, was pleased. "As an auctioneer I saw absolutely no difference in the market from this year to last year, said Robertson. "We were just one or two big horses away, and that can make a difference in the averages."In all, 511 yearlings were reported sold for $8,317,200, good for an average of $16,276 and a median of $8,000. By sales end last year, 528 yearlings had grossed $9,219,400 at an average of $17,461, and a median of $9,100.With a record 831 catalogued and total of 709 offered, 198, or 27.9% were bought back. Last year, 146 failed to meet their reserve from 528 sold and 674 offered, or 21.6%. "There were very few expensive buy-backs," said Fasig-Tipton executive vice president and chief operating officer Boyd Browning. "There was a good, legitimate market for the higher range horses, and we hope to get a few more of those next year."Those who stayed until the end were rewarded for their patience when a striking chestnut daughter of A.P. Indy and first foal out of the grade I stakes-winning End Sweep mare, Nany's Sweep topped the day at $210,000. The farm manager of Charlotte Weber's Live Oak Plantation near Ocala, Fla. called in the purchase for the Feb. 14 yearling to Browning upstairs in the pavilion.The filly was the sixth six-figure prices on the day, compared to four recorded in Monday's session.The day's top-priced colt was another score for consignor Ricky Higgs and breeders Delmer and Wilma Daubs, who also combined for Monday's sale-topping $230,000 Richter Scalecolt sold to Laura De Seroux on behalf of Narvick International.Twin Spires, Inc., agent, on behalf of Ken and Sarah Ramsey gave Devil His Due his due by going to $170,000 for a dark bay colt by the sire of their Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) contender Roses in May. The colt was produced out of the stakes-winning Bates Motel mare Mine Again who has two winners to her credit from two of her five to reach the post.Although prices were not as high as some would have liked, many of the sellers present said they came to the last major yearling sale of the year with realistic expectations."What is most important is that there are people here to buy horses and the horses are getting sold," said consignor John Sikura, whose Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency brought a sizeable contingent to auction. "This is a great outlet for breeders and a great opportunity for those from other states to find a nice horse for a good price."Top Prices for Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2004$210,000--817--Chestnut filly by A. P. Indy-Nany's Sweep--Denali Stud, agent--Live Oak Plantation$170,000--770--Dark bay/br. colt by Devil His Due-Mine Again--Ricky Higgs, agent--Twin Spires Inc., agent for Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey$150,000--768--Bay colt by Tiznow-Mepache--Denali Stud, agent--Allen Jerkins, agent for Cam Allard.$140,000--634--Bay colt by Cat Thief-High Heeled Hope---Trackside Farm (Tom Evan), agent--Buzz Chace, agent for New Town Farm$125,000--607--Bay colt by Lemon Drop Kid-Golden Thatch--
Dromoland Farm, agent -- Eddie Woods, agent$102,000--501--Chestnut colt by Coronado's Quest-Deep Discount--Glen Hill Farm--Buzz Chace, agent, for New Town Farm
