By Sarah Mace
New York-bred yearlings, topped by five individuals who realized six figures, put in a solid showing at the three-day Fasig-Tipton October sale, which climbed into record territory once again this year, seeing new highs in gross, average, and median.
For the auction as a whole, total sales climbed 7.5 percent with a 5 percent year-to-year increase in average from $34,117 to $35,850, and an 8.8 percent rise in median from $17,000 to $18,500. Buybacks were also up this year, though, increasing from 16.2 percent to 20.7 percent.
The figures for New York-bred yearlings came in a shade below the general population of the sale, but in the same general range. In all, 71 New York-bred yearlings of the 92 offered changed hands (including four private sales) for a buyback rate of 22.9 percent. The New York-bred average was $32,547 and median was $18,000.
The 2014 indicators, save for the buyback rate, are on a par with the New York-bred results at the 2013 renewal of the sale. Last year, of 93 New York-breds offered sold 77 sold (including three private sales) for a 17 percent buyback rate. The 2013 average was $32,974 slightly higher than this year, but this year the median improved from $17,000.
The top two New York-bred yearlings changed hands in the first session; Hip 34, a chestnut daughter of Kitten’s Joy bred by Ken and Sarah Ramsey and Hip 56 a dark bay or brown Smart Strike colt bred by Stone Bridge Farm, LLC, who brought $140,000 and $130,000 respectively (read more).
The three other individuals who brought at least $100,000 were led by Hip 1129, a bay colt by Hard Spun bred by JMJ Racing Stables, LLC whose first three dams are stakes winners (Sunday Geisha, Above the Table and One Night Affair). Kirkwood Stables, Agent, purchased the colt from the consignment of Burleson Farms, Agent for $105,000.
Boomer Investments signed a $100,000 ticket for Hip 451, a Super Saver colt bred by Carl Bennett whose dam Fly the Colors (Giant’s Causeway) is a half-sister to charismatic multiple graded stakes-winning millionaire Revolutionary (War Pass), recently retired to stand at WinStar Farm for 2015. Also hammered down for $100,000 was Hip 814, a colt by Trappe Shot bred by Hidden Lake Farm, LLC and Jeremy Peskoff out of stakes placed Nootka Island whose only foal to start is a winner.
