Strong opener marks Fasig-Tipton New York-Bred Sale's return

Buyers welcomed the Fasig-Tipton New York-Bred Yearlings Sale back to the marketplace with open arms and open wallets on Sunday, improving the gross, average, and median, and reducing the number of horses that failed to meet their reserve.

As the sale returned to Saratoga Springs after being cancelled last year because of the Covid-19 pandemic, 62 yearlings sold for gross receipts of $6,497,500 during the opening session.

The average price of $104,798 represents a nearly 16 per cent increase from the average of $90,492 in 2019, the last time this sale was held. In 2019 during the first session of the sale, 66 horses sold for gross receipts of $5,972,500.

"An average of $100,000 is a milestone you try to achieve," said Boyd Browning Jr, Fasig-Tipton's president and CEO. "It's a number that brings confidence to the breeders."

The number of horses that failed to meet their reserve dropped from 31 in 2019 (32 per cent) to 20 this year (24 per cent), a number that Browning considers "acceptable."

"In the past we've had a higher-than-average RNA rate because owners and breeders have the option of racing in New York because of the purse structure," he said. "It's as encouraging or more encouraging than the average price."

The median price of $80,000 also rose, from $75,000 in 2019.

Joseph Migliore, agent, was the top buyer, purchasing five horses for a total of $780,000.

Tom Gallo was keen to remain involved with the session-topping Uncle Mo fillyCredit: Fasig-Tipton Photos/PhotosbyZ

Browning credited the quality of horses, from both physical and pedigree perspectives, as well as the momentum and enthusiasm from The Saratoga Sale, Fasig-Tipton's selected sale of yearlings, last week.

"It's a really strong marketplace with a widespread, diverse group of buyers," he said. "The horses are raised better and prepped better than they were a decade ago, and you see that in the increased activity from the top trainers on the circuit."

Topping Sunday's action was hip 341, a $495,000 Uncle Mo filly out of the Distorted Humor mare Averymerrymoment that sold to Dream Maker Racing, a partnership managed by Tom Gallo.

The filly was bred by Gallo's wife Mia in partnership with Mary Kopley, Michael Newton, and Elizabeth Weese and consigned by Thomas J. Gallo III Sales Agency, agent. She is a half sister to six-figure earners Sanctify, Rectify and Satisfy.

"We knew that if she didn't bring half a million dollars, we would keep her," said Tom Gallo, who added he will be taking additional partners on the filly. "Because we've managed her whole family, we'd like to continue to manage her."

The filly will be trained by Bill Mott, who has trained a number of other horses out of the dam.

Among the sale stand-outs were a trio by Army Mule, the Grade 1-winning son of Friesan Fire whose first crop are yearlings this year.

Three of the four on offer Sunday sold for an average of $211,667, with the highest price of $300,000 spent by Maverick Racing/Siena Farm for a filly out of Whispering Angel (Hard Spun) consigned by Summerfield. The filly bred by Windylea Farm is a half sister to Wells Bayou, a son of Lookin At Lucky who won the 2020 Louisiana Derby and has earned $912,793.

"We looked at all the Army Mules here," said Windylea's Kip O'Neill. "I'm a little biased, obviously, but we thought she was the best."

The final Army Mule to sell, hip 388, was signed for by Joseph Migliore, agent, for $200,000. The chestnut colt consigned by Denali Stud was bred by Saratoga Glen Farm out of the Dialed In mare Dial the Doctor. Army Mule was also represented by a colt out of Charismata, which sold for $135,000 to St. Elias Stables. He was bred by Bill Terrill and Fasig-Tipton's Browning and was consigned by Gainesway.

Army Mule stands at Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa, where his 2021 fee was advertised as $7,500 stands and nurses

The second and final session of the sale, comprising approximately 200 horses, begins on Monday at 12 p.m. ET.

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