BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Three Florida-breds generated six-figures bids Monday and Tuesday night during a record Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling Sale held at the Humphrey S. Finney Pavilion in Saratoga Springs.
Hip 124, a Florida-bred colt by War of Will out of the stakes-placed, Scat Daddy mare Pappascat, sold for $650,000. Charlotte Weber’s Live Oak Plantation put in the final bid on dark bay or brown colt, who is a half-brother to Grade 2 Best Pal-winning Florida-bred Pappacap and Grade 3 With Anticipation-winning Florida-bred Boppy O. Consigned by Francis and Barbara Vanlangendonck’s Summerfield, as agent, the colt was bred by George and Karen Russell’s Rustlewood Farm.
Selling for $425,000 to Burning Daylight Farm and Rebecca Galbraith was Hip 141, a Florida-bred filly from the first crop by McKinzie out of the stakes-winning mare Renda, by Medaglia d’Oro consigned by Gainesway Farm as an agent for Bridlewood Farm. The filly is a half-sister to Grade 1 Vosburgh and Grade 1 Vanderbilt-winner Rock Fall and was bred by Bridlewood Farm.
Monday night during the first night of the prestigious auction, Direct Dial Bloodstock outlasted all bidders to acquire Hip 37, a Florida-bred colt Pleasant Acres Stallions first crop sire Gunnevera, for $255,000. Consigned by Machmer Hall Sales as agent and bred by Ivan Carrera, the colt is out of Emotional Roar, by Roar of the Tiger, a half-sister to Grade 1-placed, Grade 3 Gotham-winner Mayakovsky, and graded-stakes producers Uniquely Appealing and Emotional Outburst.
Hip 165, a colt By Curlin – Fasig-Tipton Photo
The top seller on the night was Hip 165, a colt by Curlin out of Horse of the Year Beholder bringing $4 million to Donato Lanni, agent for Zedan Racing. Taylor Made Sales Agency as agent consigned to rich colt on behalf of breeder Spendthrift Farm. The colt is a half-brother to Grade 3 Senorita-winner Teena Ella, by War Front.
In addition to the sale topper, seven other yearlings sold for seven figures during Tuesday’s session.
“It was just phenomenal,” added Browning. “It was really rewarding to see people send their very best horses here and trust us and then have the results and the success they had tonight.”
Overall, 153 yearlings sold for a sale record $74,780,000, up 11.7% from the previous record of $66,955,000 set last year. The average of $488,758 eclipsed by 4.4% the record set last year of $468,217. The median tied last year’s record of $375,000. Ten yearlings sold for $1,000,000 or more over the course of the two nights.
A share in leading young sire Not This Time was offered prior to the first yearling of the second session, selling for $2,000,000. The hammer price is not reflected in the yearling sale results.
