Solid start in Kentucky to Fasig-Tipton October Yearlings Sale

The Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October Yearlings Sale, the final yearling auction of the Covid-19 impacted sales season, began on a solid note on Monday with figures on par with last year's first session that was conducted under non-pandemic circumstances.

From 388 head catalogued for the opening session, Fasig-Tipton reported 248 horses were sold for $8,393,800, compared with the $9,668,900 total paid for 244 yearlings on day one a year ago.

This year's first session average of $33,846 represented a decline of 15 per cent and the median was unchanged at $15,000. The session's RNA rate of 22 per cent for 71 horses not sold was a marked improvement over the 29 per cent figure for the comparable session in 2019 when 101 offerings failed to sell.

View Fasig-Tipton results here

The session was well-attended, with a broad cross-section of agents, pinhookers, and end-users on hand during a typical Bluegrass autumn day, with moderate temperatures and a steady drizzle throughout half of the day.

As with other sales since early 2020, Covid-19 protocols of temperature checks and health screening were required of all persons on the grounds, with participants making a concerted effort to comply with social distancing and mask requirements.

"Overall, I'm pleased with the first session," said Fasig-Tipton president Boyd Browning Jr of the day's trade.

"The average was down slightly today compared to the overall sale last year; however, the median was up and we had a very respectable RNA rate of 22 per cent compared with 29 per cent the first day last year."

Browning said there were no surprises in the day's trade that was steady throughout the session.

"There was plenty of activity," he said. "There were no dramatic surprises. It was a legitimate and reasonable marketplace. Lots of horses got traded. We hope those same factors continue for the next three days and we think and hope they will."

Topping the day's action were two Into Mischief yearlings, with Willis Horton Racing going to $300,000 for a filly consigned by Wynnstay Sales, and Juddmonte Farms purchasing a colt from Lane's End, agent, for $260,000.

Fasig-Tipton president Boyd Browning reported a busy sessionCredit: Fasig-Tipton Photos

Agent Mike Ryan went to $240,000 to purchase a colt by Maclean's Music, the sire of dual Grade 1-winning juvenile Jackie's Warrior, from St George Sales, agent.

The day's fourth-highest price of $220,000 was paid by Ten Strike Racing/Rick Keuber for a grey-roan Liam's Map colt consigned by Noel Murphy's Castle Park Farm, agent.

Bred in New York by Loch Grove Farm, the colt is the first foal produced from the unraced Bodemeister mare Locked On, a half sister to multiple graded stakes winner Quiet Temper. The sale continues through to Thursday with sessions beginning at 10 a.m. ET daily.

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