Across the Board Gains at Fasig-Tipton Fall Sale

The yearling market continued to hold strong as the 2003 Fasig-Tipton Fall yearling sale concluded Tuesday night at the sale company's Newtown Paddocks in Lexington, Ky. with across the board gains in each category.

The two-day sale concluded with 528 yearlings selling for a gross of $9,219,400, an increase of 44% over last year. The average increased 42% $17,461 and the median price rose 52%. For the overall auction, just 22% of the yearlings offered failed to meet their reserves.

"This has been a very healthy yearlings market throughout so we had no reason not to expect a strong sale, although this was a little better than what we had anticipated," said Boyd Browning, executive vice-president and chief operating officer of Fasig-Tipton. "The market was strong at all levels and it just exploded at the top of the market. The sire power was better and just the overall strength of the market place really pushed it over the top."

On the second day, 259 yearlings sold for $4,527,600, to average $17,481. For the comparable session in 2002, the gross was up 59%, the average up 55% and the median price 58%.

Tuesday's session was led by a dark bay or brown filly by High Yield. Bonnie Baskin, who was represented by Taylor Made Sales Agency, paid $150,000 for the filly, which was consigned by Paramount Sales, agent. The filly will be shipped to Florida and then will move to the barn of trainer Todd Pletcher.

James and Janice Millar bred the filly out of the Caveat mare Saratoga Warning in Kentucky. The filly was originally purchased as a weanling by bloodstock agent Buzz Chace for $200,000 at the 2002 Keeneland November mixed sale. She was consigned to the 2003 Keeneland September yearling sale by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent, where she failed to meet her reserve and was bought back for $220,000.

The filly is a half-sister to stakes winner Act Smart (by Smarten), winner of the Juvenile Stakes at Hastings Park. Act Smart will stand the 2004 season at Dunroven Farm in Manitoba, Canada.

George Kirkorian paid the second-highest price of the night, $145,000, for a daughter of Forest Wildcat out of the Grey Dawn II mare Delight's Tribute. The filly was consigned by Hidden Haven Farm. Joe Koepfer bred the filly in Kentucky.

The highest-price colt, a son of Victory Gallop, commanded a final bid of $125,000 by Allen Jenkins, who was representing Cam Allard. Jenkins said the colt would be offered at a 2-year-olds in training sale.

"He's my kind of horse, has a very nice hip on him. He's very balanced and seems to have what will make a very nice 2-year-old," Jenkins said.

Brilliant Stables, Elliott Walden, and Morris Brothers bred the colt in Kentucky from the Carson City mare Pacific City. The colt is a half-brother to stakes-placed Spirited Maiden (by Saint Ballado).