Records smashed at Fasig-Tipton Saratoga with US$82,160,000 traded

Cover image courtesy of Fasig-Tipton

The Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale, which opened Monday with figures on pace for a third consecutive year of records, concluded Tuesday with an electric session that demolished the sale's previous highs for gross, average, and median.

By the close of business Tuesday, 154 yearlings had sold for US$82,160,000 (AU$128,280,000) – the highest ever in the auction's 103-year history, surpassing the previous record of US$75,055,000 (AU$117,150,000) set last year. The average of US$533,506 (AU$832,674) also improved on the 2023 record figure of US$487,370 (AU$761,014), while the median of US$425,000(AU$663,459) bettered the previous mark of US$375,000 (AU$585,325) reached in both 2022 and 2023.

“You start off tonight with the (Complexity) share and that was really good,” Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning Jr, said Tuesday night. “But we almost went back-to-back with million-dollar horses with the first two horses to go through the ring. And that momentum carried throughout because of the quality of horses. The success of the sale is completely dependent on the quality of the horses that our consignors give us the opportunity to sell. We felt very confident that the quality of horses in this catalogue was the best we ever had. I think that the buyers proved us right. Buyers have a tremendous level of confidence when they come to Saratoga–they feel like they will come find some of the best-conformed yearlings in the world. And now we get some of the best pedigrees in the world.”

Browning continued, “It's a rewarding and fulfilling situation where there is a tremendous level of confidence in the marketplace. And there is a tremendous level of confidence in Saratoga. It's a magical place. It's unbelievable racing. Unbelievable community support. It's a great feeling.”

Tuesday's session of the auction opened with the sale of a share in freshman sire Complexity, purchased for US$510,000 (AU$796,560) by the Heider family. The action only escalated from there, with Mandy Pope's Whisper Hill Farm purchasing the day's first million-dollar yearling just two hips into the session. Bloodstock agent Marette Farrell, on behalf of Speedway Stable, made the day's highest bid when going to US$2.4 million (AU$3,749,440) for a son of Into Mischief (USA)

Through the two-day sale, 12 horses sold for seven figures, up from 10 in 2023. The 12 million-dollar yearlings were purchased by nine unique buyers. While 52 yearlings sold for US$500,000 (AU$780,900) or more in 2023, 70 reached that mark this year.

“What it really shows you is the depth of the quality of the horses that were here on these sales grounds,” Browning said of the strength of the market during the two-day auction. “And I think the buyers responded. It's not because the buyers decided they were going to pay a lot of money for them. The buyers decided they were really good horses. There was really competitive bidding, and it reflected the quality of horses on the grounds.”

Sponsored video

Standing at Kelvinside in 2024: Native Trail, a Champion Two-Year-Old from the same sire line as I Am Invincible.

Speedway gets a 'King'

Peter Fluor and K.C. Weiner's Speedway Stable was the last bidder standing when purchasing a son of Into Mischief (USA) (Hip 183) for US$2.4 million (AU$3,700,400) midway through Tuesday's session of the Saratoga sale. Bloodstock agent Marette Farrell handled bidding alongside Zoe Cadman out back, while on the phone with her clients.

“We absolutely loved this colt,” Farrell said. “I felt he commanded the room, as they say. He was the king. He is by Into Mischief, who we all know is an amazing stallion. He is from very good breeders, very good consignors and was raised at an amazing farm in Lane's End, with very good land.”

Consigned by Lane's End, the yearling was bred by Pam Wygod and her late husband Marty, who passed away this spring.

“We would love to honour Marty Wygod and have bought a really good horse because he was such a big supporter of our Thoroughbred business and was so successful,” Farrell said. “And I cannot thank Peter and K.C. enough. I am still shaking because I loved this horse, but I really had hoped we wouldn't have to go to this amount of money. And they knew that we loved the horse. So, I hope he's a lucky horse. I hope he's a good horse. They deserve this.”

Of the colt's final price tag, Farrell admitted, “We were on our absolute last bid a couple of times. Zoe gave me the elbow to go on. We are thrilled we got him but hate that we had to pay that kind of money. He is a stallion in the making and I really think he's a fabulous horse.”

The bay colt is out of stakes-placed Sweet Sting (USA) (Awesome Again {Can}), who is a daughter of champion Perfect Sting (USA) (Red Ransom {USA}). The mare is a half-sister to graded winner Smart Sting (USA) (Smart Strike {Can}).

Coolmore, Brant strike for $1.9M Gun Runner

This past May, Sierra Leone (USA) (Gun Runner {USA}) came within a nose of taking the G1 Kentucky Derby for a partnership including Coolmore and Peter Brant. The partners were back in action Tuesday evening to secure Hip 146, also by the Three Chimneys stallion, with the hope the chestnut colt might find his way into the starting gate the First Saturday in May in 2026.

With the volleys coming fast and hard from the main pavilion and from the back ring, where the Coolmore team assumed its regular position of attack, the bidding finally ended with M.V. Magnier locking it down with a US$1.9 million (AU$2,900,700) bid.

“For us it's all about the Classic horse,” said Magnier. “It's all about the Epsom Derby and Kentucky Derby. That's what these guys really want to achieve.”

In reference to this season's heartbreaking Derby miss, Magnier explained, “When Sierra Leone got beat in the Kentucky Derby, Derrick Smith decided that's all he wants, to win it.”

In addition to the Coolmore partners and Brant, Sierra Leone was also campaigned by Westerberg and Rocket Ship Racing and trained by Chad Brown. The colt won the G2 Risen Star S. and G1 Toyota Blue Grass S. earlier in the spring prior to his Derby second. He subsequently finished third in the G1 Belmont S. and most recently was runner-up in the G2 Jim Dandy S. at Saratoga.

“Gun Runner is a very good stallion. We've been very fortunate with that,” Magnier added. “He was very popular (at the Saratoga Sale) last year. Everyone really liked the horse, so we were hoping to get him.”

Brown, who was standing next to the Coolmore team during the bidding process, is likely to train the new acquisition.

“That's the plan at the moment,” Magnier said. “We'll bring him to Ashford and figure that out.”

White Birch and Coolmore also secured a colt by Into Mischief out of Distorted Music (USA) (Distorted Humor {USA}) (Hip 300 for US$1 million (AU$1,600,600)) on Day 1.

The colt was consigned by Lane's End on behalf of his breeder, Jane Lyon's Summer Wind Equine.

Out of the unraced Secret Sigh (USA) (Tapit {USA}), the colt is from the family of the G1 Yasuda Kinen and G1 February S. scorer Mozu Ascot (USA) (Frankel {GB}) in addition to stakes winner Kareena (USA) (Medaglia D'Oro {USA}).

“For somebody like Jane Lyon who has such a wonderful operation it is like a dream,” said Lane's End's Allaire Ryan. “It's what every commercial breeder looks for. So it's nice to see everything come full circle and be rewarded.”

Commenting on the colt's appeal prior to last night's sale, she explained, “We knew he would sell really well and was received by the top-end users of the market, so we knew we had a top product to offer. But you can't always know how the seller and the buyer will fare in a situation like this.”

“Honestly he surpassed our expectations,” said Ryan of the session topper's final price. “Obviously, we had a top-quality horse here but it's impossible to predict what they will actually bring. It just comes down to how somebody values them in their own program and if they're willing to go to the end stakes for it.”

During the Day 2 session, Lane's End also sold a colt by Into Mischief (Hip 183) on behalf of Pamela Wygod and the Wygod Family Trust for US$2.4 million (AU$3,700,400).

“It's been a super healthy market for us,” said Ryan. “We try to bring quality individuals here, across the spectrum. We bring the horses that show themselves well and are good representations for the breeders and for us and we're rewarded for it.”

Stewart's Saratoga buying spree continues

John Stewart's Resolute Bloodstock, which purchased five yearlings during Monday's first session of the auction, was quick to get back into the action at Fasig-Tipton Tuesday evening, going to US$1.2 million (AU$1,900,900) to acquire a filly by Ghostzapper (USA) (Hip 147).

The Resolute broodmare band already includes a daughter of Ghostzapper in champion Goodnight Olive (USA), who was purchased by the operation for US$6 million (AU$9,400,300) at last year's Fasig-Tipton November sale. Stewart admitted his newest yearling reminded him of the two-time GI Breeders' Cup Fillies and Mare Sprint winner.

“She reminds me of Olive,” Stewart said. “We got Goodnight Olive in foal with a Not This Time colt, which is really exciting after what Not This Time has done here. We are trying to start to build families. We are starting to concentrate around families and we really like Ghostzapper and how he matches up with some of our other breeding program. She fits right into that. And then from a racing standpoint, we think there is some speed in that horse and has a good physical. We've already got some trainers lined up for her. So we are pretty excited.”

The filly, consigned by Gainesway, is out of Seeking the Blue (USA) (Arch {USA}) and is a half-sister to multiple graded-placed Janis Joplin (USA) (California Chrome {USA}) and multiple stakes-placed Vino Rouge (USA) (Vino Rosso {USA}). She was bred by Payson Stud.

Of his first foray at the Saratoga sale, Stewart said, “This has been fantastic. I've been up here a couple of times for the races. My first time here, the first race, we won the G1 New York S. with Didia. Saratoga is always going to be kind of special because it was our first Grade 1.

“The people are really nice, the facilities are great and it's a great atmosphere. Everyone from all over the world is here and it's exciting to see all of these top-quality horses. We experienced it in Australia with the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale and now to experience it here has been a lot of fun.”

At the close of the two-day auction, Resolute Bloodstock had purchased 11 yearlings for US$9,085,000 (AU$14,177,720). Three of the group were seven-figure purchases, led by a colt by Gun Runner sold Monday for US$1.7 million (AU$2,600,000).

Don Alberto takes Saratoga by storm, as Godolphin secures Justify colt

The Solari family's Don Alberto Corporation was not messing around at Saratoga this week. The operation brought five yearlings to the two-day auction and watched three of the youngsters bring seven figures. Leading the way was a filly by Curlin (USA) out of Matera (USA) (Tapit {USA}) (Hip 85), consigned by Gainesway, who sold for US$1.9 million (AU$2,900,900) to Robert and Lawana Low Monday.

The trio also included a colt by Tapit (USA) out of Mopotism (USA) (Uncle Mo {USA}) (Hip 97), who sold for US$1.5 million (AU$2,300,400) through the Lane's End consignment to Flying Dutchmen. A colt by Justify (USA) (Hip 174), co-bred with Justify Syndicate and consigned by Hunter Valley Farm, sold for US$1 million (AU$1,600,900) to Godolphin.

“We knew we were bringing some good horses, but it certainly exceeded our wildest dreams,” Don Alberto's Reed Ringler said of the farm's results in Saratoga. “We are so thrilled. Carlos and Ms. Liliana have worked for so long to build this foundation of broodmares. We knew that we were coming up with some good horses, but it's just taken time to get all the traction, to get runners on the track, like Muth and Arcangelo. This is where Carlos likes to come and compete in the sales ring and on the racetrack. We are so happy.”

Don Alberto bred last year's Champion 3-Year-Old Arcangelo (USA) out of its mare Modeling (USA) (Tapit {USA}) and multiple Grade 1 winner Muth (USA) (Good Magic {USA}) out of its mare Hoppa (USA) (Uncle Mo {USA}).

Don Alberto's Saratoga yearlings also included a filly by City Of Light (USA) (Hip 32) who sold to Centennial Farms for US$500,000 (AU$780,500). A Tacitus (USA) half-brother to Muth RNA'd for US$490,000 (AU$764,100) late in Tuesday's session. The operation will hope its momentum continues next month in Lexington.

“We are very blessed,” Ringler said. “We have got more goods to come in September. I hope the momentum keeps going. The market feels so strong. We are just really blessed to be up here and participating in it.”

Pope on the board with Gun Runner filly

Mandy Pope's Whisper Hill Farm made its first–and only–purchase of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale early in Tuesday's second session of the boutique auction, going to US$1.5 million (AU$2,300,400) to acquire a daughter of Gun Runner (Hip 123).

The filly is out of multiple Grade 1 winner Pure Clan (USA) (Pure Prize {USA}) and is a half-sister to Grade 1 placed Princesa Carolina (USA) (Tapit {USA}). She was bred by Three Chimneys Farm and was one of three seven-figure yearlings consigned to the Saratoga sale by Antony Beck's Gainesway.

“Obviously, her mom was a great race mare, and we are hoping she will inherit those genes,” Pope said after signing the ticket on the yearling. “It's a young family with some other half-sisters in there that might really go on and produce and build the pedigree as she goes.”

Pope was represented this spring by G1 Ashland S. winner Leslie's Rose (USA) (Into Mischief {USA}), a US$1.15 million (AU$1,800,100) Keeneland September purchase.

Pope is hoping her newest seven-figure yearling purchase will follow a similar trajectory.

“She is gorgeous,” Pope said of the yearling. “She's big and strong. She is very sensible from what we could see. We are just hoping for another G1 Kentucky Oaks and an Ashland.”

Pope admitted she had plenty of competition in bidding during Monday's first session of the auction.

“It's extremely difficult,” she said. “We were outbid quite a bit yesterday, but you have to value them and stick to your guns. And some of them we get and a lot of them we don't.”

Clay strikes for Into Mischief colt

Robert Clay made his second purchase of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale when going to US$1 million (AU$1,600,900) to acquire a colt by Into Mischief (Hip 201) late in Tuesday's second session of the auction. Consigned by Indian Creek, the bay is the first foal out of the unraced Validest (USA) (Medaglia D'Oro {USA}), a half-sister to multiple graded winner Global View (USA) (Galileo {Ire}).

“Everything,” Clay said when asked what he liked about the yearling. “I loved him. It's so hard to buy them here. I was swinging for the fences and finally got one.”

Of his plans for the youngster, Clay said, “Same old thing. We will break him, see how good he is, send him to a good trainer and hope for the best.”

Clay's Grandview Equine purchased a colt by Twirling Candy (USA) (Hip 49) for US$500,000 (AU$780,500) during Monday's first session of the auction.

“I bought a couple, but I missed several,” Clay said. “It's very difficult to buy. Everybody is here and you just feel lucky to come away with one. I have never seen so many people at the sale. It's amazing how many people are here. So given that, I'm not that surprised. But it's difficult to buy.”