The opening session of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale produced the expected fireworks in the auction ring on Monday evening, keeping steady with last year's first day of trade led by a pair of seven-figure horses.
Monday's session saw 74 horses change hands for revenues of $30,785,000, up six percent from last year's opener when 69 horses brought $28,930,000. The average sale price of $416,014 marked a 0.7 percent decrease from $419,275 last year, while the median remained unchanged at $350,000. The buyback rate finished at 28 percent, compared with the previous day-one figure of 19 precent.
“We saw a very fair marketplace,” said Fasig-Tipton president Boyd Browning. “It wasn't insanity. There was a great diversity of buyers, a very good mix of buyers tonight and a good mix of bidders. The love was spread around. We did $30 million tonight, and that money was spread across the board amongst a whole lot of horses, which is really good long-term for this marketplace.”
AMO Racing secured session-topper Hip 77, a Quality Road colt, for $1.1 million. The bay colt is out of the Grade 3-winning Henny Hughes mare I'm a Looker, hailing from the family of champion Lakeville Miss and Grade 1 winners Dortmund and Mogambo.
Bloodstock Alex Elliott, who signed the ticket with fellow agent Ben McElroy on behalf of the buyer, said the colt would likely be sent to Ireland to begin his race training, then he'd return to the U.S. to race.
Gainesway consigned the colt as agent for Stonestreet Bred and Raised. To learn more about the showperson that handled Monday's session-topper, click here.
Also hitting the seven-figure mark on Monday was Hip 87, a Curlin filly who sold to Heider Family Stables for $1.05 million.
The chestnut filly is out of the Grade 3-winning Justin Phillip mare Lady T N T, from the family of Grade 2 winner Windsor Castle. Denali Stud consigned the filly, as agent.
To view the session's full results, click here.
The post $1.1-Million Quality Road Colt Tops Opening Session Of Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
