By Jessica Martini
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – The Fasig-Tipton New York-Bred Yearling Sale kicked off its two-day run with an abbreviated session featuring competitive bidding from start to finish Sunday evening in the Humphry S. Finney Pavilion in Saratoga.
“It was a strong start to the 2024 Fasig-Tipton New York-Bred Yearling Sale,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning, Jr. “There was very consistent trade from start to finish. I think the thing that was probably most encouraging tonight was the buy-back rate. This sale has traditionally had a little bit of a higher buy-back rate because the breeders have so many opportunities themselves to race these horses. So oftentimes, it is maybe more important for them to have a horse racing in New York than it is to get them sold and move to another state. It was very encouraging to see a very manageable RNA rate tonight.”
From a catalogue of 100 yearlings, 87 went through the ring Sunday for a gross of $6,860,000. The session average was $103,939 and the median was $89,000. With 21 horses reported not sold, the buy-back rate was 24.1%.
During last year's opening session, 53 horses sold for $5,999,000 for an average of $113,189 and a median of $100,000. The buy-back rate was 34.6%.
“We don't make any bold predictions or comparisons with just one night,” Browning said. “We have 200 more to go [Monday]–we are a third of the way through the sale. There was very, very good trade tonight and we are looking forward to tomorrow.”
Eddie Rosen and Jacob West | Fasig-Tipton
Early in the session, Jacob West and Eddie Rosen, acting on behalf of Mike Repole, paid $300,000 for a colt by Constitution from the Elite consignment. That session-topping price was matched late in the day when trainer Christophe Clement purchased a son of Vekoma from the Taylor Made Sales Agency consignment.
A total of 29 horses brought $100,000 or more during the session–the same number as last year's opening session.
“We didn't have any “breakouts” tonight, but a bunch of horses sold for over $100,000,” Browning said. “We are pleased with the start and look forward to continue the positive momentum tomorrow.”
The Fasig-Tipton New York-Bred Yearling Sale continues with a final session Monday with bidding beginning at noon.
Constitution Colt Takes the Early Lead
A colt by Constitution (hip 315) helped get the Fasig-Tipton New York-Bred Yearling Sale off to a strong start when selling to Mike Repole for $300,000 early in Sunday's session. Consigned by Elite, the yearling was bred by Ten Strike Racing. He is out of See the Forest (Forestry) and is a half to stakes winners Whittington Park (Midnight Lute), Critical Value (Bodemeister) and Looms Boldly (Goldencents).
Hip 315 | Fasig-Tipton
“Mike has been a great supporter of the [New York-bred program],” said Repole's advisor Eddie Rosen while seated alongside bloodstock agent Jacob West. “We breed here, we've stood stallions here. We are also hoping in this case that he is a horse who will compete in open competition. Being by Constitution makes you hope that he will be more than a New York-bred.”
Ten Strike Racing's founding partner Marshall Gramm claimed See the Forest for $12,500 in 2010. Looms Boldly won the John Morrissey Handicap in the Ten Strike colors just three days ago.
Of the process that led the team to bid on the yearling Sunday evening, West said, “When it all gets whittled down and whittled down, he was one that was near the top [of our list].”
West came back 40-some hips later to acquire a colt from the first crop of Galilean (Uncle Mo) (hip 350) for $220,000 from the Eaton Sales consignment. The yearling is out of Three AM Tour (Ire) (Strategic Prince) and is a half-brother to stakes-winner Set (Oscar Performance).
Clement Strikes Late for Vekoma Colt
Trainer Christophe Clement got into the action late in Sunday's first session of the New York-bred Yearling sale, going to $300,000 to acquire a colt by fast-starting freshman sire Vekoma (hip 386) from the Taylor Made Sales Agency consignment. The chestnut is out of the unraced Alana's Allure (Shackleford) and is a half-brother to multiple stakes winner Allure of Money (Central Banker). The mare's 2-year-old Leon Blue (Mo Town) was a late-closing second in his debut at Saratoga July 24.
Hip 386 | Fasig-Tipton
“He looked fast,” Clement said when asked about the yearling's appeal. “It was probably too much money, but we are keeping the dream alive. I liked him very much. He looked very athletic. My son Miguel told me about him. At the moment, I bought him on spec, so I need to find some owners to help me and support me and we will go from there. He is a lovely horse.”
In addition to his 13 winners, Vekoma's first crop of 2-year-olds includes stakes winner Louisiana Jess and stakes-placed Bella Sorella and Fortuna Mia.
“I train one Vekoma who I like,” Clement said. “But this is a very live family. One horse just won very well from the same family. And unfortunately that's the way it is. You always have to overpay for what you like.”
Good Luck Farm purchased the yearling for $100,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton New York Mixed Sale.
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