Outlook Bright for Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Yearling Sale

Even though it follows right on the heels of the highest-grossing yearling auction ever -- Keeneland September -- Fasig-Tipton officials are anticipating plenty of action at their Midlantic Eastern fall yearling sale Monday and Tuesday in Maryland.

"There's been a lot of pre-sale interest, and we expect to see a continuation of the strong market," said Boyd Browning, Fasig-Tipton's vice president and chief operating officer. "A lot of buyers haven't filled all their orders."

In addition, the sale has enjoyed a wave of positive publicity recently from the outstanding performances of its graduates. Lion Heart, prior to his retirement from racing, scored in the Haskell Invitational Handicap (gr. I); Declan's Moon won the Del Mar Futurity (gr. II), and Love of Money captured the Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II).

There are 686 yearlings catalogued for the auction, which starts at 10 a.m. (ED) each day at Timonium.

Last year, 456 horses were sold for a gross of $8,325,500, an average price of $18,258, and a median price of $9,500. Compared to 2003, the number sold and gross revenue declined 13.8% and 5.3%, respectively. However, the average increased 9.9% and the median stayed the same.