Eleven of Tuesday's top 12 prices were from horses from the dispersal, including the auction's top-priced short yearling, a colt by Into Mischief purchased for $650,000 by North Ocean Equine. In all, 62 horses sold for the dispersal for a gross of $8,263,000. The dispersal average was $133,274 and the median was $42,500.

“It was unfortunate circumstances with Mr. Lothenbach passing, but we are very appreciative of the estate giving us the opportunity, between the digital sale and today and yesterday,” said Fasig-Tipton president Boyd Browning. “But it is also a reflection of a man who had a program that raised and raced horses the right way. He gave horses time and he used trainers who took care of the horses. He had a long-term perspective and he was in it for all the right reasons. He loved racing. And that shared passion of racing is ultimately what fuels everything that we do in our industry.”

Bolstered by the dispersal, 372 horses grossed $21,687,000 for an average of $58,298 and a median of $17,000.

Outside of the dispersal, Browning said the auction's results proved demand for horses remained strong.

“It wasn't just on three horses,” Browning said. “Talking to the consignors across the board, the ones that sold horses for thousands of dollars or ten of thousands of dollars or hundreds of thousands of dollars, they felt like it was a very, very legitimate marketplace. Buyers, whether they had $5,000 to spend, $50,000 to spend or $500,000 to spend, found competition and found it not easy to buy horses. Which is where you want the marketplace to be. You want it to be competitive on both the buying and selling side of things. We saw that the last two days.”

Browning concluded, “All in all, it's been a fantastic two days. It wildly exceeded our expectations and we normally have high expectations for ourselves and for the quality of horses we are selling. It was damn good and it feels really good to say in February it was damn good. And it was.”

Coolmore Pays $2 Million for Dam of Nysos

Zetta Z (Bernardini) (hip 536), added to the Fasig-Tipton Winter Mixed catalogue just hours after her son Nysos (Nyquist)'s tour de force victory in the GIII Robert B. Lewis S. Saturday, ended the two-day auction with an exclamation point when selling for $2 million to Coolmore Stud.

“She is a beautiful mare and she completely stood out here,” said Coolmore's Adrian Wallace after signing the ticket on the mare in the back walking ring. “Obviously being the dam of such a talented young colt with his whole future ahead of him, she was a must-have. Mr. [John] Magnier and M V [Magnier] were very interested in her from the very beginning.”

The 14-year-old mare, consigned by Grovendale Sales, sold Tuesday in foal to Cyberknife and will likely have a date with Triple Crown winner Justify this year, according to Wallace.

“She's a wonderful mare and she is obviously in foal to a very exciting young sire,” Wallace said. “Hopefully, she will be a nice mare to add to Justify's book when the time comes.”

In addition to Nysos, Zetta Z is also the dam of a now-yearling colt by Yaupon who sold to Randy Hartley and Dean DeRenzo's AAA Thoroughbreds for $450,000 at last year's Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale.

The mare is out of Seresa's Spirit (Rahy), an unraced daughter of GI Breeders' Cup Distaff winner Unbridled Elaine (Unbridled's Song).

Unraced herself, Zetta Z sold in foal to Street Sense for $35,000 at the 2021 Keeneland November sale. Three Times a Charm was the name on the ticket that day, but according to Grovendale's Chance Timm, the mare had changed hands since that auction.

“She changed hands sometime last year,” Timm said, while declining to name the mare's owner.

Of the mare's presence in the sale, Timm said, “James [Keogh] had been in really close contact with the owner leading up to the race, so fair credit to him. I am grateful to be his partner and to be a part of it, but James did all the heavy lifting here and we are grateful to the owners for the opportunity.”

Timm added, “We were watching the Bob Lewis with a little bit different interest on Saturday, that's for sure. But it's great fun and we are privileged for the opportunity.”

Zetta Z became far-and-away the highest-priced horse to ever sell at the Fasig-Tipton Winter Mixed sale.

“I think it's hard to expect that kind of money at that sort of level for any kind of horse, but these are the types that can do that when it all lines up,” Timm said of the final price. “That's why we have horse sales, to have two people hook up and do what she did today. Any time they are at that level, it's hard to expect that. But she deserved to make that. That's the kind of mare she is.”

Wallace summed up, “She looks like…well, $2 million, instead of $1 million, but she's a lovely mare.”

Bell's The One Lights Up Fasig-Tipton

Bell's the One (Majesticperfection) (hip 476), the brightest star in Robert Lothenbach's decades in the sport, proved the most sought-after offering of the late owner's dispersal when selling for $1.3 million at Fasig-Tipton Tuesday. Bloodstock agent Catherine Hudson, bidding while on the phone from a seat in the pavilion, signed the ticket on the 8-year-old mare on behalf of an undisclosed client.

“We loved her,” Hudson said. “I bought her for a private client. He's an admirer of collector's items and we felt like she is one of them. She is a beautiful mare. We appreciate her and her racing and everything the Lothenbach family did for horse racing. We are sad the dispersal is happening, but we were very, very fortunate to be able to step up and buy her.”

The hard-knocking Bell's the One, purchased for $155,000 as a Fasig-Tipton July yearling in 2017, won 11 stakes races in the Lothenbach colors, including the 2020 GI Derby City Distaff S. and earned over $2 million during her racing career. She RNA'd for $2.6 million at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton November sale and was put in foal to Flightline. The mare aborted that foal in September.

Of potential 2024 mating plans, Hudson said, “We have had a lot of reports, nicking, research and haven't decided yet. We are just working on it now. We think Justify's book got closed. We are hoping they might reopen, but we will talking to a couple of the farms about it.”

Hudson, who confirmed the mare would stay in the U.S., said the seven-figure price range was within expectations.

“I thought I would get outbid by maybe the Japanese,” she admitted. “I had $1.2 million to $1.3 million, but I didn't think my client would go any more than $1 million.”

Hudson had the client on the phone during the bidding and, asked to describe the conversation, she said, “I didn't want to know what he was going to do–I didn't want to know too much. I had a hopeful feeling he might keep going, but I didn't think he would go over $1.2 million, so I was very happy when he said go ahead with it. I think he appreciates collector's items.”

She Can't Sing to Hill 'n' Dale

Graded-stakes winning broodmare prospect She Can't Sing (Bernardini) (hip 485) will be joining the band at the Sikura family's Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa after selling for $1.1 million during the Lothenbach dispersal at Fasig-Tipton Tuesday. The 7-year-old mare, bred and campaigned by the late Robert Lothenbach, won four stakes during her racing career, including the 2022 GIII Chilukki S. She is out of Distorted Music (Distorted Humor) and from the family of multiple Grade I winner Music Note.

“She is beautiful and obviously a very talented racehorse,” said Jes Sikura. “We are collecting a broodmare band at Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa to kind of improve on what we already have and create a new generation. [Hill 'n' Dale stallion] Curlin loves Bernardini. We thought this would be a great nick. Hopefully we will get a beautiful foal out of her.”

Of the seven-figure price tag, Sikura said, “We were willing to pay a high price for something with that quality. Bernardini/Distorted Humor mare, it doesn't get better than this. She was a great racehorse. And we really thought she would fit our program. She's exactly what we are looking for.”

While the 22-year-old Sikura signed the ticket on the mare, he admitted it was his father, John, who did the bidding in the back walking ring.

“I was told to step back,” Sikura said with a laugh. “I didn't want to make any mistakes.”

The younger Sikura signed for a Constitution short yearling at $300,000 on behalf of a pinhooking partnership during Monday's first session of the auction. He also signed for the broodmare Audrey's Time (Uncle Mo) (hip 474) at $525,000 in the name of Imaginary Partners earlier in Tuesday's session.

“I am probably UK's least favorite student right now–the least classes attended student right now,” he said. “I am working on bloodstock on the farm and trying to get my own little thing going and learn as much as I can about the business. I am getting involved, selling some seasons and shares, just working on our stallions and promoting the farm.”

Sikura admitted getting more involved in the racing industry became a more immediate concern once his hockey career had run its course.

“I always knew I wanted to be involved at some point,” he said. “I grew up as a hockey player–not a great one–that's why I came back to Kentucky at 19. And then once I realized I was not going to be a professional athlete by 17, I started to look a lot more into the horses and enjoying it more. And now I feel like I am starting to understand it a little bit and following in my dad's footsteps, as well as other great mentors that I've been lucky enough to be around.”

Logan Strikes for Into Mischief Colt

Darby Dan Sales Director Renee Logan, bidding on behalf of an undisclosed client, went to $650,000 to acquire a short yearling by Into Mischief (hip 494) Tuesday at Fasig-Tipton. From the Lothenbach dispersal and consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, the bay colt is out of Distorted Music (Distorted Humor) and is a half-brother to graded winner She Can't Sing (Bernardini). He came into the ring some 10 hips after his half-sister sold for $1.1 million and some 25 hips after his dam sold for $375,000.

“It's for an undisclosed buyer,” Logan said. “He's a longtime farm client who loves racing and loves to sell as well. So he might race or sell. We'll just see how things go.”

Robert Lothenbach purchased Distorted Music for $190,000 at the 2011 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. She won three of eight starts in the late owner's colors and She Can't Sing was her first foal to the races.

“I like the fact that he was very well-balanced and he had a beautiful walk,” Logan said of the short yearling's appeal. “He's very correct. He's a half-brother to a great filly who just brought a million, which vindicated our decision. That's why we went the extra mile.”

Logan added there was extra appeal in purchasing the youngster from a breed-to-race operation.

“He wasn't overly prepped,” she said. “What you saw is what he actually is. So that was another thing that I liked about him.”

Of the colt's final price tag, Logan added, “If you want a nice horse, you're going to have to pay for it.”

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“I thought there was fair trade and there was lots of activity, certainly on the short yearlings,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. “There was lots of vetting and activity on those that were perceived to be of higher quality. The mares in foal and the broodmare prospects that you would turn down the page when you went through the catalogue sold well.”

Still there remained a fall-off for offerings that did not meet the criteria of the buyers.

“There are some horses that the marketplace is extremely critical of,” Browning said. “It is not as robust as some people would like, but that's a sign and a trend that we've seen for many, many years. I think we've seen a continuation of the marketplace that we saw for much of 2022. It's healthy, it's not exuberant, it's rational, but you better also have an understanding of what you're offering and how the market is going to receive your horse.”

That polarization was also evident to Matt Bowling, who was active both as a buyer and as a seller through his Vinery Sales.

“We are getting a ton of views,” Bowling said. “The people are here. I think if you are bringing the right stuff over, they are paying you a fair value for it. But if you've got some dings or you don't have the pedigree, or a bad produce record, it's definitely a lonely place. But the right horses are bringing the right money.”

A total of 13 horses sold for six figures Monday, compared to 15 hitting that mark during the opening session in 2022. Leading the way was Munny Spunt, who was purchased by Nebraska native Judy Pryor from the Hunter Valley Farm consignment.

Browning expects activity to pick up during Tuesday's second session of the auction, which will feature an offering of supplemental entries with plenty of current form.

“The quality and composition of the catalogue in a sale like this changes from year to year,” he said. “And I think we've got a little stronger catalogue tomorrow as opposed to today just the way it flows with the supplemental entries in the addendum.”

Bidding for Tuesday's second and final session of the sale begins at 10 a.m.

Pryor Strikes Late for Munny Spunt

Following the legalization of casino gaming at racetracks in Nebraska in 2020, Nebraska native Judy Pryor is determined to build up the breeding and racing program in the Cornhusker State. She started by acquiring stallions Court Vision and Giant Expectations ahead of the 2021 breeding season and has now turned her focus to acquiring broodmares. She made her biggest splash in the Thoroughbred auction scene Monday at Fasig-Tipton when going to a session-topping $340,000 for Munny Spunt (Munnings) (hip 293). The 9-year-old mare, in foal to Triple Crown winner Justify, was consigned by Hunter Valley Farm on behalf of David Fennelly's Mountmellick Farm.

“I purchased Court Vision and Giant Expectations a couple of years ago,” Pryor said after signing the ticket alongside Martha Jane Mullholand and Lexis Hennings. “We want to help Nebraska grow in racing to get back to the Ak-Sar-Ben days. I am brand new in racing. I don't know what I am doing. But I love a good horse.”

Pryor does have plenty of experience in the Quarter Horse show world and maintains the 400-acre Pryor Ranch.

“In the Quarter Horse world, we have raised many, many world champions,” Pryor said. “This is a brand new thing for me and I am kind of doing it because my aunt and uncle were race trainers and they have always wanted me to do racehorses. But I thought it was for the Sport of Kings, not for peanut butter lovers. So I ate enought peanut butters to do this today.”

Munny Spunt won the GIII Torrey Pines S. during her racing career. Her filly by Mendelssohn sold for $425,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale. She also has a yearling colt by Authentic.

“She's a little taller than most Munnings,” Pryor said of the mare's appeal. “She is perfectly smooth and correct for breeding purposes. She has a nice walk and she's in foal to Justify. And I wanted to go home with a famous horse.”

Asked if she thought the in utero foal might become the Triple Crown winner's first Nebraska-bred, Pryor said, “I hope to hell it is.”

With Munny Spunt's expected foaling date fast approaching, the Nebraska-bred designation might have to wait. Pryor purchased Ardita (Bernardini) for $92,000 at the Keeneland January sale. That mare recently foaled at Mulholland Springs.

“Nobody thought I should haul her home because she was due to foal,” Pryor said of Ardita.

Of Monday's session-topping bid, Pryor said, “I have no idea what I was thinking. I was just going to buy that damn horse.”

Of her client, Mulholland said, “Judy has been playing at hte top of the Quarter Horse show industry for decades. We are lucky to have her join us here in the Thoroughbred industry. We are going to have fun. We either going to sell them well or we're going to run them. But we're going to have fun.”

Hunter Valley Farm's Fergus Galvin admitted Munny Spunt's session-topping price exceeded the team's expectations.

“We knew she was probably one of the highlights of the day,” Galvin said. “She's graded stakes winner by Munnings and in foal to the right stallion. And her produce, we're still waiting for that runner, but she's got a good sales history. I think they got a good buy. She's a really good mare.”

Mountmellick Farm purchased Munny Spunt for $325,000 at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton November sale.

“David Fennelly is just downsizing a little bit,” Galvin said of the decision to sell the mare this year. “He's not getting out of the business, he's just cutting down his numbers. Justify is looking like he's the real deal. So he thought this was just a good opportunity to sell.”

Pryor credits her aunt and uncle, Merle and Marilyn Heldt, who were trainers on the midwest circuit, for her interest in Thoroughbred racing. And she has a goal for the couple's son, Derron Heldt.

“[The Heldts are a huge reason I am doing this,” Pryor said. “They have been doing this their entire lives. Their son, Derron Heldt, is the head racing director at Prairie Meadows. And I want that kid to give me a trophy.”

Watch Hip 293 MUNNY SPUNT i/f Justify sell for $340,000 at Kentucky Winter Mixed!#FasigKY @HunterValleyKY @coolmoreamerica pic.twitter.com/w0TbLaqFFA

— Fasig-Tipton (@FasigTiptonCo) February 6, 2023

Heiligbrodts Go Back-to-Back

Susan Montanye, bidding on behalf of Bill and Corinne Heiligbrodt, went to $250,000 to acquire the broodmare Bubala (Candy Ride {Arg}) (hip 61) and wheeled right back to take the mare's short yearling colt by Audible (hip 62) for $200,000 for the same clients Monday in Lexington.

The 7-year-old Bubala, who sold in foal to Not This Time, is a half-sister to stakes-placed Island Reward (Street Boss) and Harmonic (Congrats).

The Colorado-based Scott Issel, vice president of Cherry Creek Mortgage Company, purchased Bubala for $50,000 at the 2020 Fasig-Tipton February sale and Issel's Arapahoe Thoroughbreds bred the yearling. Both were consigned by Tom Evans's Trackside Farm Monday.

“The mare was big and pretty and looked like she had all the parts,” said Montanye. “And of course, she's in foal to Not This Time, who is doing outstanding. She joins Heiligbrodt Racing and will go to Taylor Made and hopefull being successful in the breeding process.”

Watch Hip 61 BUBALA i/f Not This Time sell for $250,000 at Kentucky Winter Mixed!#FasigKY @TMStallions pic.twitter.com/xV413rLQ7e

— Fasig-Tipton (@FasigTiptonCo) February 6, 2023

Montanye said the team's initial interest was in the yearling.

“We looked a the yearling first,” Montanye said. “And credit to Bill, I didn't even pick out that the mare was in the sale. He had me go back and look at the mare. That's what started the whole process.”

On plans for the yearling, Montanye said, “We'll see. There is no rush. We will see what he wants to do with him. They will be both go on to Taylor Made for now. We will take it over from there.”

The Heiligbrodts added another mare to their band a little later in Monday's session, going to $130,000 to acquire Fly on Angel (Palace Malice) (hip 159). The 6-year-old mare, consigned by Bluewater Sales, sold in foal to Yaupon, who won the 2021 GI Forego S. in the couple's colors.

Hits Pricey Legacy to Clearsky Farm

Graded-stakes winner Hits Pricey Legacy (Den's Legacy) (hip 202) will be joining the broodmare band at the Cleary family's Clearsky Farm after selling for $230,000 to the bid of Vinery Sale's Matt Bowling. The 4-year-old, who sold as a racing or broodmare prospect, was consigned by Zach Madden's Buckland Sales on behalf of her owner/breeder and trainer C.R. Trout.

“We bought her for Clearsky Farm, so she'll join their broodmare band,” said Bowling. “We haven't made any mating plans yet, we're just glad to have her. She's a pretty, big-walking filly and a very good racehorse. She's the kind of filly they like to add to the broodmare band there.”

Hits Pricey Legacy is a four-time stakes winner who captured the GIII Remington Park Oaks last September. She hit the board in all but one of her 10 starts and won five times. She retires with earnings of $339,935.

“Any time you get a graded stakes winner on the market, they are hard to find, so we tend to find over them,” Bowling said of the mare's final price tag.

Hits Pricey Legacy is out of High Price Hit (Concord Point), who is a half-sister to multiple stakes winners Imahit (Whywhywhy) and Hallelujah Hit (Mr. Nightlinger), all of whom were also bred, raced and trained by Trout.

“I am just trying to cut back on the amount of broodmares I have,” Trout said. “I breed primarily in Oklahoma and I just thought this was a good time to sell this filly while she was still in good, peak form. She is fit and sound as a dollar.”

Asked if it was an emotional decision to sell the graded stakes winner, Trout said, “It is. But I just turned 78 and it's time to start doing some estate planning.”

This isn't the first time Clearsky has added a member of the family to its broodmare band.

“Clearsky Farm had bought a mare from me before from the same family,” Trout said. “They had called and wanted to buy her privately, but I already had her in the sale.”

High Price Hit, who is one of 12 mares currently in Trout's broodmare band, has produced fillies that last two years, a daughter of Flat Out in 2021 and a daughter of Cloud Computing this year. The 13-year-old mare is in foal to Volatile.

“We will make up our mind whether we will breed [High Price Hit] back in Oklahoma and sell her baby,” Trout said. “We are kind of up in the air right now.”

Of what Monday's results for Oklahoma's breeding industry, Trout said, “It means so much for Oklahoma. We don't have a big breeding program, but it's building.”

Watch Hip 202 HITS PRICEY LEGACY sell for $230,000 at Kentucky Winter Mixed!#FasigKY @BucklandSales @ClearskyFarm pic.twitter.com/NPNJIby9Ks

— Fasig-Tipton (@FasigTiptonCo) February 6, 2023

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Jill Gordon and Jacob West's Highgate Sales consignment made its debut at last year's Winter Mixed Sale and made an immediate impact when selling the broodmare prospect Brilliant Cut (Speightstown) for a sale-topping $750,000 to Katsumi Yoshida.

Highgate returns for its second February sale with a consignment of 10 head.

“This sale got us off to a really good start last year,” Gordon said on a windswept Sunday morning in Lexington. “We are definitely glad to be back.”

Activity at the Highgate sales barn, and throughout Newtown Paddocks, has been steady over the lst two days, according to Gordon.

“The traffic has been steady throughout the barns,” Gordon said. “We haven't been overrun, but we have kept busy enough throughout the day today as well as yesterday. We hope to see some more activity for the remainder of the day today and into tomorrow.”

The consignment has a hard act to follow from its 2022 debut. In addition to the sale-topper, Highgate sported a perfect strike rate at Fasig-Tipton last February.

“We have a good group of horses,” Gordon said of the 2023 offerings. “We have got horses with current race form and some stakes-placed fillies. And some mares in foal to fashionable covering sires and a nice weanling from the first crop by Game Winner. So we are hopeful that we will have another good February sale. We were 10 for 10 last year and hopefully we can replicate that this year.”

Morris Back in Action

After missing the first two auctions of the new year while at home recovering from a stroke he suffered in December, Stuart Morris was back at the helm of his consignment at Fasig-Tipton Sunday. Morris will offer 17 horses over the next two days in Lexington, including the broodmare Brooke and Emory (Speightstown), a half-sister to promising sophomore and 'TDN Rising Star' Faustin (Curlin). The 6-year-old mare's Twirling Candy colt, foaled Feb. 3, will sell alongside his dam.

“I feel like the interest and the buyer base is very typical for this sale,” Morris said. “It's very strong, with a deep buying base from all levels. All of our babies and mares have been well-received, it appears. So I feel like this sale will be consistent and strong like it always is. It's always been an honest market here at Fasig in February. And I don't anticipate any slack coming. I've always felt like this market is very honest and fair and you get what your horse is worth and, if you get lucky, you get a little extra. But I've never brought a horse out here and thought I sold it short. I think that's going to carry on. All of the usual suspects are here and a few others that usually aren't are in the room. It certainly feels like, for us, here in this shedrow, that it will carry on like it's been at the previous sales in the last two years or so.”

Morris agreed the February sale's status as the last stop, not just ahead of the breeding season, but also before the yearling sales, helps build business.

“I think for young mares and maiden mares, it creates a fervor for them,” Morris said of the auction's place on the calendar. “If guys are trying to cover a season that they have to cover or if 'I need mares for a stallion I stand at my farm,' or 'I can buy one and not have to feed it for another three months' because we start breeding and foaling next month, instead of buying in November and having to feed it until it foals. For young mares and broodmares it creates extra demand because of the timing of it. It's the last stop to buy those.”

Morris continued, “It's also the last stop for yearlings. So if you have an order to fill for pinhooking or racing and you need to buy horses in that market, it's obviously our last chance to do it. So I think both sides of that market are bolstered somewhat by the timing of the sale.”

Despite not being able to travel to Florida for the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's Winter Mixed Sale at the end of January, Morris's consignment sent out the auction's top-priced lot, a short yearling colt by Tapit who sold for $225,000.

Asked if it was hard to watch the result from afar, Morris said, “It was and it wasn't. I missed it because I missed seeing all of my friends and being in Ocala and being in the market. I just enjoy being at a horse sale. It was hard not to be there and celebrate with the longtime clients and friends who owned that horse. They've been supporters of me for my whole career–since I was 15 years old. So I missed it for that reason, the more personal aspect of it. Professionally, I never had any doubts that my staff would do a phenomenal job and those horses would be very well cared for and very well presented. So it was more on a personal level that I missed being there.”

Morris said he is still trying to take it a bit easy at his first sale back in action.

“It feels very good to be back,” he said. “I made a goal for myself with my kids on Dec. 28 to be here for this market. So to make that goal feels very rewarding. I am managing my energy level and my time out here. I still have to take care of myself–I am still going to physical therapy and doing all of that stuff, but it's very great being back out here and seeing all my friends and peers. Being back out at a horse sale and smelling horses and being back at it again is very nice.”

Paddy Campion Makes Consigning Debut

The Fasig-Tipton Winter Mixed Sale marks the debut of Paddy Campion's Dundrum Sales. The 25-year-old will offer three horses during Tuesday's second session of the February auction.

“I have been working for Paramount forever and ever, since I was a kid,” Campion said. “Some people approached me that wanted to sell their horses and I thought, why not do it myself. I am glad I did. It's been very fun so far.”

Campion was definitely born into the horse business. His parents, Lesley and Ted, operate Dundrum Farm in Versailles, while Lesley is the longtime accounts manager at Paramount Sales.

“The sales are my main thing,” Campion said. “I've always loved the sales. I've worked on farms. I've never worked racing, but I've always loved the sales. To have my own consignment is kind of special.”

Campion is pleased with how his three-horse consignment has been received so far at the sales grounds.

“I've been very happy,” he confirmed. “The yearling has been out a bunch of times. A bunch of people have come to see the two broodmares and everyone has been giving me pats on the back. We will see come the sale day. Hopefully it all comes together.”

Asked what he has learned from his parents that he will take into his consignor debut, Campion said, “I've pretty much learned everything from Lesley, my mom. She's a huge hustler and she is always trying to find little things about the broodmares. She tries to find sneaky little facts that people might not know and just mention them to people in the hope that people find them interesting and they stay on people's lists.”

And what nugget has he found for the three horses in his first consignment?

“Topanga Canyon (Lord Nelson) has nine sisters under 10 years of age and her mother is still having babies,” Campion said with a smile. “So the page is only going to get better.”

Looking ahead, Campion said, “The plan is probably to see how this sale goes and see if I can maybe round up some for October, I'm thinking.”

Campion looks to be remaining cool and composed ahead of the Winter Mixed sale.

“I don't feel too much pressure, it's kind of small at the moment, so it's ok,” he said. “Come sales day, we might be talking a different story.”

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Blake-Albina Thoroughbred Services will consign a yearling by Constitution out of Light of a Star, who is a full-brother to multiple graded stakes winner Laura's Light, while Hidden Brook will consign stakes winner Maries Melody (Point of Entry), carrying her first foal by Ghostzapper.

The supplemented offerings also include Broadway Girls (Army Mule), recent winner of the Blue Norther S. who is expected to make her next start in the Jan. 28 GIII Las Virgenes S. at Santa Anita. The 3-year-old is consigned by Highgate Sales, agent.

And Stay Out (Exchange Rate), the dam of multiple stakes winner Coach (Commissioner), has also been added to the Winter sale. The 12-year-old mare, who will be offered in foal to Upstart, will be consigned by Candy Meadows Sales, agent.

The supplement also includes mares in foal to Bolt d'Oro, Frosted, McKinzie, Mitole, Munnings, Paynter, Speightstown, Take Charge Indy, and Tiz the Law.

Yearling sires represented include Bolt d'Oro, Constitution, Curlin, Frosted, Girvin, Goldencents, Hard Spun, and Maclean's Music.

These entries may now be viewed online and will be available in the equineline sales catalogue app. Print versions of the supplemental catalogue will be available on the sales grounds.

Fasig-Tipton will continue to accept approved supplemental entries through the end of the month.

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The yearling market was especially strong Tuesday with youngsters accounting for half of the top 10, led by a $260,000 colt by City of Light. That yearling was the only offspring in the catalogue for his sire, who was very popular last year, topping Keeneland September with a $1.7-million colt.

Last term's champion freshman sire Gun Runner continued to be in demand on the back of a stellar first season and strong weekend at Aqueduct, where he had two new stakes winners. He sired the second-highest-priced yearling Tuesday, a $225,000 filly and a pair of mares in foal to the Horse of the Year summoned $150,000 and $135,000.

“Yearlings were stronger this year than last year for one simple reason… we had better yearlings,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. “It has become a very viable market. We saw a healthy demand for weanlings/short yearlings during November and January. We appreciate sellers for bringing high-quality short yearlings and they were very well rewarded.”

A total of 198 horses changed hands Tuesday for a gross of $6,598,800. The average was $33,327 and the median was $14,500. There were 38 horses led from the ring unsold for a buy-back rate of 16%.

During the equivalent session in 2021, 207 Thoroughbreds brought $3,956,330 with an average of $19,113 and a median of $8,000. Fifty-seven horses failed to meet their reserve that day for an RNA rate of 21.6%.

“Last year's first session was overshadowed by the second session, probably due to the supplements,” said Browning. “I don't know if the difference will be as dramatic this year as it was last year, but there are a lot of good horses tomorrow as well. Clearly, we are trending in a very favorable direction. The numbers are great, but even better is the level of interest and level or activity. Consignors were having horses blowing past their reserves. We are seeing a legitimate marketplace for all types of horses. The most encouraging thing is there a vibrancy even at the $50,000 level.”

The breeding stock market was exceptionally high during the November sales and numbers remained strong at last month's Keeneland January Sale. Sellers and buyers alike saw that trend continue at the February sale.

“It seems pretty solid,” said Archie St. George, who sold the day's top horse Bodhicitta. “It seems like the January Sale and before [in November]. If you have the right product, everyone wants it. There seems to be a buzz around the grounds and the market appears solid.”

Bodhicitta Headed to Japan

Grade II winner and MGISP Bodhicitta (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) (Hip 177) sparked some midday fireworks at Fasig Tuesday, hammering for $450,000 to Japan's K I Farm, which did its bidding on the internet.

“I think that is a fair price for her,” said Archie St. George, who consigned the racing/broodmare prospect. “I think everyone is happy. She is going to go to Japan. I'd like to thank the owners and Richard Baltas the trainer. We wish the new owners the best of luck with her. She is a beautiful filly and she deserved to bring money with her race record and physical. She is an exciting prospect for her new owners down the road.”

Owner Calvin Nguyen bought Bodhicitta for 60,000gns at the 2019 TATMAY sale and brought her to California. She was still a maiden of seven starts with several in-the-money finishes. She captured four races during her first year in California, including the 2020 GII Yellow Ribbon H. She placed in consecutive renewals of the GI Gamely S. and RNA'd for $775,000 at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale. The chestnut made two starts this term, finishing second in the GIII Robert J. Frankel S. on New Year's Day and fourth in the Jan. 29 GIII Megahertz S. The 6-year-old mare's record currently stands at 23-4-5-3 with $370,808 in earnings.

“I had a great run with her,” Nguyen said. “She won a lot of races for us and to be able to sell her at this price was very exciting. My trainer [Richard Baltas] advised me that it is probably best to take some money off the table. We set a pretty good reserve on her. We wanted to test the market since all of the sales had been so strong. She is sound and still can do a lot of things going forward, but we wanted to capitalize on the market.”

Bodhicitta's second dam is stakes winner Klarifi (GB) (Habitat), who is the dam of MGSW & G1SP Fracas (Ire) (In The Wings {GB}).

City of Light Stays Hot at Fasig February

Offspring by City of Light were flying off the shelves at the yearling sales last year. He even produced the $1.7 million Keeneland September topper, which was the first time a first-crop sire had achieved that feat in at least a decade. With first 2-year-olds this year, the Lane's End resident's yearlings remained popular at Fasig February with a City of Light colt (Hip 42) bringing $260,000 from Peter Pugh, agent for Cherry Knoll Farm.

When asked what he liked about the colt, Pugh said simply, “A lot!” He added, “He is just a gorgeous horse.”

Buyers will get another chance at this colt as Pugh plans to send him back through the auction ring later this year. Pugh enjoyed pinhooking success with a young sire last year, selling a Practical Joke filly he purchased for just $90,000 at KEENOV for $520,000 at KEESEP.

Out of Spoken Not Broken (Broken Vow), the dark bay colt is a half to SP Eloquent Speaker (Flatter), who was supplemented to this sale as Hip 536. This is also the family of SW & GSP Bridgehampton (Bernardini) and stakes winners Stormy Novel (Bernardini) and Amundson (Curlin).

Consigned by Taylor Made, Hip 42 was bred in New York by Fred Hertrich and John Fielding, who had a sensational 2021. The duo bred last term's NY-bred GI Cigar Mile winner Americanrevolution (Constitution), GI Gamely S. heroine Maxim Rate (Exchange Rate) and GI Runhappy Del Mar Futurity S. winner Pinehurst (Twirling Candy). They teamed up with Rob Tribbett to breed GI Hollywood Derby winner Beyond Brilliant (Twirling Candy) and Hertrich also bred 2021 Grade I winners Hit the Road (More Than Ready) and Juju's Map (Liam's Map).

Hertrich, Fielding and Tribbett also bred Hip 180, a $180,000 yearling filly by Speightstown.

Goff Fights for Cocktail Party

Dash Goff refused to be denied for the 7-year-old mare Cocktail Party (Mizzen Mast), determinedly fighting off a stubborn internet bidder to take home the gray for $240,000. Consigned by James Keogh, Hip 218 sold in foal to Liam's Map.

“I'm looking to buy three or four really nice mares and build up my broodmare band,” Goff said. “I bought two in November and three in January.”

The Arkansas businessman continued, “Some will go to Arkansas and some will stay here. This one will stay in Kentucky with the Welkers. The Welkers and I have done business for 35 to 40 years. I did business with his dad. We had a great night last night. We had two nice foals last night, a Mitole and an American Pharoah. So, I'm having a great day.”

Bred by the Herbener family, Cocktail Party won two of 10 starts for Michael Foster and was purchased by Fords Run Farm for $28,000 at the 2019 KEENOV sale. She has one previous foal, a 2021 colt by Connect. Cocktail Party is a full to MSW & GSP Barrier Reef and a half to stakes-placed Arctic Party (Eskimo) and Kissin Party (Kissin Kris).

“I liked everything about her,” Goff said. “Her former owner Jim Herbener was a good friend of mine. She may be the nicest mare on the grounds. I am real pleased with her.”

Goff struck earlier in the session for a pair of mares, securing Sweet Magic (Quality Road) for $14,000 (Hip 63) and A Change of Heart (Unbridled's Song) for $120,000 (Hip 124).

Gun Runner Filly Proves Popular

On the back of a stellar freshman season and two new stakes winners over the weekend, a filly (Hip 38) by champion freshman sire and Horse of the Year Gun Runner was in high demand during Tuesday's opening session, bringing $225,000 from Pick View's Joe Pickerell, who signed the ticket as Stock Thoroughbred LLC.

“She was probably the best filly in the sale,” Pickerell said. “For what we are looking for, she is the right kind. She is by the hottest young sire in the world. The kind that look like her and move like her are hard to buy.”

As for future plans for the filly, Pickerell said, “She will be a pinhook. We are not sure where yet. We will let her develop and make a plan for her.”

Bred in Pennsylvania by Christian Black's Forgotten Land Investment Inc., Hip 38 is the second foal out of the Discreetly Mine mare Sororitysweetheart, who is a full-sister to GSW Classy Class and GSP Full House. She was consigned by Taylor Made Sales.

“Anytime you sell a short yearling for $225,000, you have to be happy,” Black said. “She has been straight forward from the beginning. We are very happy she ended up in good hands with Joe Pickerell. We are looking forward to seeing her in another sale in the future.”

Black experienced success with Gun Runner in the past, selling a colt by that stallion to Lael Stables for $550,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale in one of the final consignments of his good friend, the late Mike Recio's South Point Sales. Black also sold Secret Quality (Elusive Quality) (Hip 7) in foal to Gun Runner for $135,000 to Hunter Valley Farm Tuesday.

Gun Runner topped the freshman sire list last year with 30 winners and six black-type winners, two of which were Grade I winners, including soon-to-be champion Echo Zulu. The dual Eclipse winner had another incredible weekend prior to this auction with his son Early Voting capturing Saturday's GIII Withers S. at Aqueduct and his daughter Shotgun Hottie taking that venue's Ruthless S. Sunday. The latter was catalogued to this sale as Hip 18, but was scratched following her breakout score.

“We were trying to take advantage of the fact that Gun Runner is a once in a generation stallion,” Black said. “You only see a sire like him maybe once every 50 years. She fit the bill. We are very happy with what we got. She was brought here to sell and showcase the mare a little bit too.”

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“It is really hard to ever compare February sales from year-to-year just because of the nature of it,” Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning said. “It is not a select sale. It seems to me that we have a lot of quality this year both in terms of the quality of mares that are in foal, as well as the racing/broodmare prospects. One area that we are better in this year than probably ever is the quality of the short yearlings. It feels like a good catalogue as I have been through it and studied it. The consignors are confident that they are bringing better horses than they normally have in February. The market is strong, so we expect a good sale.”

The breeding stock market was exceptionally strong during the November sales and numbers were still up during last month's Keeneland January Sale. Consignors are hoping to see that momentum continue into the February sale, which is the last breeding stock sale before the start of 2-year-old sales season.

“We are certainly hoping the momentum from last year carries forward into this year,” said Jill Gordon, who leads her first consignment under her new banner Highgate Sales, run in partnership with Jacob West. “I think there are a lot of people that got shut out that wanted to buy broodmare prospects or broodmares from activel families. For stud farms and for breeders alike, this is kind of their last stop shop before the shed opens to fill orders and we are hoping that drives the market a little bit.”

Last year's Fasig February Sale was topped by the Ghostzapper mare Beloveda, who brought $510,000 from Gainesway carrying a foal by Street Sense. Racing/broodmare prospect Saguaro Row (Union Rags) was just behind her, bringing $500,000 from Catherine Hudson.

A total of 425 horses changed hands at last year's Winter Mixed Sale for a total of $12,506,700, an average of $29,428 and a median of $10,000.

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“We couldn't be more excited to be offering her on behalf of this ownership group [Boom Racing, ERJ Racing, Dave Kenney and William Strauss],” Gordon said. “They are a fun group of guys and I have had some luck in the past selling some fillies off the track for them. They don't breed, so we thought we would cash in while the iron's hot. On the buyer's perspective, you have limitless possibilities. You can run her for the rest of the year or you can take her directly to the breeding shed. She is by a leading broodmare sire in Speightstown. You combine her looks, her pedigree and her race record and she is the complete package for buyers.”

Brilliant Cut was claimed by these connections and trainer Doug O'Neill for $50,000 out of a winning effort at fourth asking at Del Mar in the fall of 2020. Third to La Brea winner Kalypso (Brody's Cause) in the GII Santa Ynez S. last winter, she was fourth next out in the GIII La Virgenes S., after which she was switched to the turf, finishing second in a local optional claimer last March.

Given a brief freshening, Brilliant Cut returned in the grassy Unzip Me S. in Arcadia Oct. 3, finishing fourth. Getting back on dirt, she returned to wining ways in an Oct. 30 starter optional claimer. Dispatched at 20-1 in the La Brea, she tracked pressed from second most of the way and stayed on to complete the exacta.

“We toyed with the idea [of selling her] a little bit before the La Brea and after that effort, it was clear [selling in a breeding stock sale] made the most sense for those guys and what their goals are,” Gordon said. “She shipped to Kentucky the very first week of January and she has been sales prepping at Nick Drion's farm since then. I am really appreciative for all of the hard work that he puts in. He does a wonderful job and she couldn't be in better hands.”

Brilliant Cut has a pedigree to match her ever-improving race record and lovely physical. Her year-younger half-sister Lemieux (Nyquist) captured a stake at Gulfstream last term and is gearing up for her 3-year-old season. Their dam Polish a Diamond (The Factor) is a half to SW & MGISP Bonnie Blue Flag (Mineshaft), who is the dam of one of the most exciting horses in training, GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner and recent GI Pegasus World Cup romper Life is Good (Into Mischief). Polish a Diamond is also a half to MGISW Diamondrella, who is the dam of GSW Spectroscope (Medaglia d'Oro), and to SW Highest Honors (Tapit).

“It is a family that is just exploding top to bottom,” Gordon said. “Life is Good obviously gave us a really good update over the weekend. Her 3-year-old half-sister Lemieux was a stakes winner last year and is back on the worktab for [Mark] Casse. It is a family that seems to have a new update every week.”

Gordon and West announced the launch of their new sales and bloodstock agency just before Christmas and this February consignment will be their first under the Highgate banner. Gordon brings plenty of experience to the consignment from her previous roles at Claiborne Farm and Warrendale Sales.

When asked about what led to this new venture, Gordon said, “It was something I thought about for quite a while. I sat down with Jacob West, who is obviously a very successful agent and a very good friend of mine. We decided to just jump in and do it. We have skill sets that are very complimentary and we work well together. I have sold horses for him in the past. We decided to just take the leap of faith. I have a good group of clients who are going to support me and Jacob brings a lot to the table.”

The Highgate banner will make an appearance at the major yearling, racehorse and breeding stock sales this season.

“We will do breeding stock, racehorses and yearlings,” Gordon said. “We will do the April sale at Keeneland, [Fasig] July, hopefully a [Fasig] Saratoga consignment and then we will roll right into September at Keeneland.”

While Brilliant Cut may be the star of Highgate's shedrow, the remaining nine mares also have plenty to offer potential clients.

“We have a really exciting consignment top to bottom,” Gordon said. “We feel like every horse we are bringing over has something to offer in terms of appeal. We have Vacay (Not This Time) (Hip 501). She is an exciting filly. She was a stakes winner at two and a multiple stakes-placed at three. She is by Not This Time, who couldn't be having a better couple of months.”

She added, “We have mares in foal to red-hot covering sires, like Munnings, Maclean's Music and Connect. We also have an Into Mischief broodmare prospect [Speeding (Hip 502)] with a lot of appeal. She was a winner herself and her recently turned 3-year-old brother was stakes-placed as a 2-year-old and is back on the worktab for Arnaud Delacour.”

As to be expected when starting a new business, Gordon heads into her first sale with Highgate with a mix of nerves and excitement.

“I think anytime you start something new there are a certain amount of nerves associated with that,” she said. “We have a great team around us. I have a guy Jose Vaquera who is going to run the barn with me. He has come with me from place to place, so having him there with me is a big comfort. We are excited to get started. This is something we have been brainstorming and working on for a while. We are excited to bring what we think is a really quality group of horses over for our first sale.”

The Fasig-Tipton Winter Mixed Sale, which was delayed a day due to a winter storm in Lexington, runs Feb. 8-9 with each session beginning at 10 a.m.

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Latest entries include:

Road to Romance (Hip 592): Four-year-old daughter of Quality Road was stakes placed at two. Dam is half-sister to two stakes winners including graded stakes winner and millionaire Super Frolic (Pine Bluff). Consigned as a broodmare prospect by Bluewater Sales, agent.

Smartly Agree (Hip 594): Stakes-placed daughter of Smart Strike is a half-sister to graded stakes performer Der Lu (Orb), and out of a kin to Grade I winners Creative Cause (Giant's Causeway) and Vexatious (Giant's Causeway), and graded stakes winner Destin (Giant's Causeway). Offered in foal to Constitution, she is consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent.

Maggi O'Prado (Paddy O'Prado) (Hip 597): Half-sister to Grade I winner Dream Tree (Uncle Mo), offered in foal to leading international sire More Than Ready. Consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent.

Regal Retort (Hip 598): Daughter of Jimmy Creed is a stakes placed earner of $316,437. Her immediate family includes Grade I winners Zipessa (City Zip), Flashy Bull (Holy Bull), and Perfect Soul (Ire) (Sadlers Wells). Consigned as a racing/broodmare prospect by Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency, agent.

Taylor Avenue (Mshawish) (Hip 599): Stakes placed at two and a half-sister to stakes winner Respect the Hustle (Colonel John). Consigned as a broodmare prospect by Gainesway, agent.

Gypsy Angel (Silver Train) (Hip 600): Dam of Mrs. Orb (Orb), a multiple stakes winner and graded stakes placed earner of $556,280. Her immediate family includes Grade I winners Killer Graces (Congaree) and Killer Ability (Deep Impact {Jpn}). Offered in foal to Spun to Run, she is consigned by Gainesway, agent.

The Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale will be held Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 7-8, in Lexington, Kentucky. Sessions will begin each day at 10 a.m. Online bidding and phone bidding services will be available.

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Gainesway Farm, Brian Graves and Michael Hernon purchased the mare for $205,000 at this sale in 2013 and bred her to their flagship stallion Tapit. The resulting colt sold for $420,000 at Keeneland November. Her 2016 foal, a filly by Scat Daddy, summoned $1-million at Keeneland September and her 2019 Quality Road filly brought the same seven-figure sum at last term's KEESEP sale. Gainesway bought out the partnership on Beloveda, who is in foal to Street Sense.

“We have owned her for quite a few years and she has had an impeccable produce record for us,” said Graves, who is General Manager of Gainesway. “She's had two million-dollar yearlings for us and doesn't owe us anything. This was a dissolution of a partnership. She has a good chance with a Quality Road filly who will be a 2-year-old in Bob Baffert's hands, so hopefully we can get an update with that. She is going to Nyquist next.”

Gainesway also went to $310,000 to acquire GSW Lady's Island (Greatness) (Hip 524), who sold as a racing or broodmare prospect.

“The other mare we bought for Tapit,” Graves said. “She is an absolutely gorgeous physical specimen, which is what attracted us to her.”

The second highest-priced offering of the day was stakes winner and GSP Saguaro Row (Union Rags), who brought $500,000 from bloodstock agent Cathering Parks. Hip 675 was part of the supplemental catalogue.

“Obviously, the sale was dominated by the highlights later in the sale, but we had quality horses throughout the sale,” said Fasig-Tipton's President Boyd Browning. “It's the same story over and over, quality sells. The demand for quality offerings is tremendous. Two things that were most encouraging[Tuesday] were the breadth of bidders on the quality offerings–there was activity all over the house on many horses–and it was also nice to see a couple new names on the sheets that have not been traditional buyers at this sale. It's encouraging. We've got to continue to grow and introduce new buyers to the game. Anyone would have to be thrilled to see the increases over a year-to-year basis.”

A total of 218 horses sold Tuesday for $8,550,400 with an average of $39,222 and a median of $11,000. Forty-two head left the ring unsold. During the equivalent session last year, 188 Thoroughbreds summoned $6,407,900 with an average of $34,085 and a median of $10,000. There were 49 RNAs.

Overall, 425 head changed hands for $12,506,700 during the two-day sale. The average was $29,428 with a median of $10,000 and 99 horses failed to meet their reserves. In 2020, 368 horses grossed $9,777,100 with an average of $26,568 and a median of $8,500. There were 122 RNAs.

“I caution that the quality of the catalogue does change from year to year for a mixed sale, so it's virtually impossible to compare those results,” Browning said. “But, clearly there was healthy trade and commerce that took place on these sales grounds. There was enthusiastic bidding and participation. There was also depth to the marketplace which results in a low overall RNA rate. I think it gave sellers confidence that they can bring a horse to the February sale and be rewarded. We all know in the sales word that being a bigger fish in a smaller pond can be a very effective marketing and sales tool. Folks were well rewarded for bringing quality horses to these sales grounds.”

Saguaro Row Was Last, But Not Least

The final horse through the ring at the Fasig February Sale as part of the supplemental catalogue, Saguaro Row (Union Rags) certainly made her presence known, bringing $500,000 from bloodstock agent Catherine Parks. The horsewoman was acting on behalf of a private client, but indicated the 6-year-old mare would return to training.

“He is hoping to put the filly straight back into training, plus she had broodmare potential,” Parks said. “She was a queen and we loved her. She is drop-dead gorgeous and a real professional race filly. She was well taken care of in an excellent program. She was in very good condition.”

Consigned by Blake-Albina Thoroughbred Services, Hip 675 captured the Pumpkin Pie S. and was second in the GIII Go for Wand H. for owners Newtown Anner Stud Farm and breeder Mark Breen and trainer Michael Stidham. The bay has won five of 16 races so far for earnings of $342,354.

St. Elias Stays Busy at Fasig

Vinnie Viola's St. Elias Stables was quite active buying at Fasig Tuesday, acquiring several mares to support their various stallions, such as Grade I winners Liam's Map and Army Mule. Rory Babich and John Sparkman assisted with selecting the St. Elias mares, which were all purchased over the internet. Over the two-day auction, St. Elias scooped up a total of 15 mares for $1.725-million.

“We were very pleased with the selection at Fasig-Tipton,” Sparkman said. “They did a very good job putting the sale together. We have several young stallions we are supporting, particularly Liam's Map, Army Mule and a horse in Florida named Battalion Runner. We were buying some mares to add to their books.”

Their top two acquisitions Tuesday were MSW & MGSP Whoa Nellie (Orb) (Hip 625), who summoned $450,000, and SP Fiftyshays ofGreen (Bernardini) (Hip 640), a $400,000 purchase.

“They are both quality runners, which is always what we are looking for first,” Sparkman said. “Then, of course, comes their price. They both have very attractive pedigrees, especially for particular stallions like Liam's Map. We haven't made an official decision, but it is a possibility. They fit our program and, like everybody else, we are trying to breed good horses.”

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In all, 207 horses sold Monday for a gross of $3,956,300. The average was $19,113 and the median was $8,000. The buy-back rate for the session was 21.6%.

“I thought the activity today was very encouraging,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning, Jr. “A lot of horses got moved at fair prices. It was a fairly consistent marketplace with no real surprises. There was significant demand for what were perceived to be the quality offerings and there was reasonable trade for the less expensive offerings. I'm not going to say it was crazy, but there was activity.”

The results remained fairly consistent with the opening session of the 2020 auction, which saw 180 head sell for $3,369,200 for an average of $18,718 and a median of $8,000. The buy-back rate for that session was 28.9%.

“I feel like it's a very fair market,” Morris said. “I don't know that I would call it robust or electric, but it's a very fair market. For what I walked up there with, I feel like my results were what they should have been. I got tough with a couple, but I've had several RNA's sold after the fact today, so I think it's a very healthy and fair market.”

Morris consigned Monday's session topper on behalf of his father Jeffry Morris's Highclere, which bred the yearling.

“He's a lovely colt with a lot of future in him,” Morris said. “He's a late April foal and had all of the right parts and pieces. He's very athletic with a good walk and great balance. He was good and correct, but he was definitely going to be a horse with a lot of improvement and growth in him because of his birthday. We were happy with the result and very flattered that an operation like Calumet bought him from us. We are wishing them the best of luck and we're hoping they can make him one of their stakes horses.”

The colt is out of Royal Ancestry (Distorted Humor), a full-sister to Grade I winner Awesome Humor and the dam of stakes-placed More Royalty (More Than Ready). Stuart Morris signed the ticket to acquire the then-11-year-old mare for $9,000 at the 2019 OBS Winter Mixed Sale.

“She was a beautiful mare with a great pedigree under her and some nice production,” Morris said of that purchase. “But she had had some production history issues around the time that we purchased her. We spoke to the folks taking care of her and felt that it was something we could manage and we got her bought for a fair price because of her production history. We got her home and she's just been an absolute star for us. She had this foal late last year and we didn't breed her back just because it was a late cover. She is back on the books this year and I believe she's going to go to Bolt d'Oro for my father.”

The Fasig-Tipton Winter Mixed Sale continues with what is expected to be a lively final session Tuesday.

“We've got a really nice group of horses to sell tomorrow,” Browning said Monday evening. “There are some high-quality offerings in the supplement and I think we'll have some fireworks tomorrow. And we'll have some really nice horses throughout the day.”

Bidding at Newtown Paddocks begins Tuesday at 10 a.m.

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