A pair of Eclipse champions sold for $6 million each to share the top spot at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale, held Tuesday afternoon and evening at the Newtown Paddocks in Lexington, Ky.
Billed as the world's premier breeding stock event, the sale grossed in excess of $100 million for the third consecutive year.
“Just another remarkable evening of horse sales, literally from start to finish,” said Fasig-Tipton president Boyd Browning. “We had a wonderful collection of horses here on the sales grounds. You could feel the energy building (since Sunday).”
Nest, last year's Eclipse champion 3-year-old filly, was the first of the co-sale toppers through the ring when offered as Hip 163 by Highgate Sales, agent.
Mike Repole of Repole Stables went to $6 million to secure the 4-year-old daughter of Curlin (video), who he previously campaigned with co-owner Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and trainer Todd Pletcher. A six-time graded stakes winner at two and three, Nest's championship campaign included three victories at the top level – in the Grade 1 Alabama Stakes, G1 Ashland Stakes, and G1 Coaching Club American Oaks.
Reigning Eclipse champion female sprinter Goodnight Olive, fresh off a successful defense of her Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint title Saturday at Santa Anita Park, matched the evening's top price when offered as Hip 237 by ELiTE, agent.
Gavin O'Connor, agent for John Stewart, signed the $6-million ticket for the 5-year-old daughter of Ghostzapper (video). Campaigned by owners First Row Partners and Team Hanley and trainer Chad Brown, Goodnight Olive has won or placed in all 12 of her career starts to date, with nine victories, and earned $2,196,200. Her resume includes four Grade 1 victories including, in addition to back-to-back victories in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, wins in last year's G1 Ballerina Handicap and this year's G1 Madison Stakes.
“I'm blown away that we grossed over $100 million again this year,” added Browning. “It's remarkable, beyond our wildest expectations.”
Overall, 154 horses sold for $101,281,000. The average was $657,669, up 9.8 percent over last year's average of $595,818. The median rose 18 percent to $295,000 from $250,000 last year. The RNA rate was 24.9 percent. Twenty-five fillies and mares sold for $1 million or more.
Full results are available online.
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