Hip 502, a colt by Practical Joke bred by Stone Bridge Farm, sold for $525,000 Monday at the Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale. Susie Raisher Photo.

The Saratoga Special’s editorial team of Miles Clancy, Alec DiConza, Darby O’Brien and Julia Reedy covered Monday’s second session of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga grounds and talked with buyers, sellers and sales company officials about the results:

Boyd Browning Jr., Fasig-Tipton: “It was an improved sale, or an improved sales result. … It’ll be fun to start recruiting for next year. We always try to improve the selection process, we always try to improve the recruiting process. It’ll be a little tougher task to have significant meaningful improvement for 2026, but we’ll try. We’ll hope our game stays really healthy. We’ve been doing this since 1898, 127 years, so to say we’re invested in the Thoroughbred industry would be a pretty significant understatement.”

Sarah Sutherland, Indian Creek: “We love it. The New York-bred program is a really important part of what we do. We’re obviously based in Kentucky, but it’s a program that we have a lot of owner support and we’ve really enjoyed being a part of over the years. So to come up here with one that we didn’t necessarily foal but we raised, it feels neat to have that joint effort with the breeders.”

Buyer John Eaton, who purchased Hip 408, a Constitution filly, for $390,000: “Loved her pedigree, love the fact she’s supported by the owners of the mare. She’s got athletic ability, hope so. She’ll fit in my broodmare band very nicely. She checked all the boxes, as far as I’m concerned.”

Reiley McDonald, Eaton Sales: “We thought (Hip 400) would bring in the $300,000 to $400,000 range and she brought $390,000. At the top end of the market, it seems to be very strong. The middle end might be a little soft here. She’s by Constitution, who’s having a great year, and this is the first foal out of a stakes winning mare. I thought that was right in line with what she should’ve brought. Physically, a very nice filly. John Eaton followed her all along from Day 1 and he saw what we saw. Really lovely filly with a good pedigree. … It’s been a good sale. The middle is a little soft and the lower end is a little softer than it was last year.”

Trainer Chad Brown, representing Klaravich Stable on its four purchases Monday along with Mike Ryan, including Hip 403, a Nyquist filly that sold for $370,000: “That’s about where we appraised her. We’ve had luck with Nyquist before with Randomized, particularly the fillies. Mike and Mary Ryan do all the work for us, and they both graded the horse very high. When I relayed that to Mr. Klarman, he said ‘Make this one of our top choices.’ It’s right exactly where we appraised her. …We’re familiar with what the best Nyquist fillies look like, and you have to pay for them. The sire is doing fabulous, and she’s got a little bit of an extra bonus being a New York-bred, in case we need to do that.”

Browning: “Everyone always says how do you all put together the catalog? New crops, new sires … We’re not smart enough to do any of that stuff. We had Mind Control that came on board this year that was strongly represented in the catalog. We’ll have some Americanrevolution coming on board with some other interesting horses. We try to be supportive and recognize that there’s a time and a place for all the horses. And we want good Mind Controls and we want good Americanrevolutions. And we also want good New York-bred Practical Jokes and good New York-bred Nyquists and things of that nature. We’re striving. We’re a physicals-first sales company and that’s in our DNA and will continue to be our DNA.”

Hip 331, a daughter of Preakness winner Early Voting bred by Sequel Thoroughbreds LLC and Tuscany Bloodstock, sold for $525,000 to top the opening session of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale Sunday. Susie Raisher Photo.

The momentum from last week carried into Sunday night’s opening session of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale.

Fresh off a record-setting Saratoga sale of selected yearlings, the first session of the New York-bred sale saw gains in total sales, average price and median, along with a slight increase in buyback rate.

Fasig-Tipton reported sales on 64 of the 84 offered for $8,338,000, up 21.5 percent from last year’s opening session when 66 yearlings sold for $6,860,000. The opening night average price came in at $130,281, up 25.3 percent from last year’s $103,939, while median rose 18 percent from $89,000 in 2024 to $105,000 this year.

“An outstanding opening session of the 2025 New York-bred yearling sale,” Fasig-Tipton President and CEO Boyd Browning Jr. said. “The positive momentum from the Saratoga Sale last week clearly continued tonight. It really is a result of having an improved quality of horses on the sales grounds in terms of pedigrees and physical conformation. The quality of the New York-breds that we’re exposed to in our inspection process continues to improve each and every year and it’s indicative of the results tonight. The sale started off very, very strong and ended very, very strong. It was a very good night.”

Six yearlings commanded bids of $350,000 or more, including a pair of fillies that sold for $525,000 and $500,000.

Hip 331, a filly from the first crop of 2022 Preakness winner Early Voting, landed the top price of the session from a group that included trainer Danny Gargan, bloodstock agent Megan Jones and Hal Mintz of Sabby Racing.

“Beautiful filly, best one of the sale,” Mintz said. “Didn’t really want to get into a bidding contest with Mr. (Tom) McCrocklin, but that’s what happens. The market is really hot and when people see a really nice filly it can get a little out of control. Even at the New York-bred sale. I’m happy to have her. There will be a couple partners that Danny (Gargan) will bring to the table. Hopefully next year we’ll be excited come summertime with her.”

Bred by Sequel Thoroughbreds LLC and Tuscany Bloodstock and foaled at Sequel Stallions New York in Hudson, the filly is out of the winning Ghostzapper mare Owl Moon. She was sold by a pinhooking partnership by Thorndale Farm, agent, after originally bringing $150,000 as a weanling at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga fall mixed sale.

“The market is bullish,” Jones said. “We thought she was the best filly in the sale. Amazing body, great physical. She had a lot of Gun Runner in her, I thought. We just loved her. She’s very smart. We just liked her all the way, and now we’re going to take her home. One of the best New York-breds that we can celebrate.”

Hip 329, a filly by Practical Joke bred by Dutchess Views Farm, SGO Thoroughbred LLC and Winding Road Thoroughbreds, sold for $500,000 Sunday at the New York-bred yearling sale. Fasig-Tipton Photo.

Hip 329, a daughter of Practical Joke who sold as a weanling at last year’s Saratoga fall mixed sale for $62,500, commanded a $500,000 bid from bloodstock agent Jacob West for Mike Repole’s Repole Stable. Bred by Dutchess Views Farm, SGO Thoroughbred LLC and Winding Road Thoroughbreds, foaled at Irish Hill Century Farm in Stillwater and consigned by Hunter Valley Farm, agent, the filly is out of the Gemologist mare Our Hope Diamond.

“The beauty of it was that she’s a very nice filly, but she’s also a New-York-bred,” West said. “It gives you a little bit more confidence that you can bid away, knowing that you’ve got a strong New York-bred program behind you. Physically she was very nice. She’s out of a family that seemed precocious and could run and she seems like it.”

Hunter Valley also sold the third highest-priced yearling, Hip 393, a daughter of Medaglia d’Oro that went to $410,000 to Phil Hager’s Taproot Bloodstock, agent, for Lee Lewis. Bred by and foaled at Rockridge Stud, LLC in Hudson, the filly is out of stakes winner and Grade 3-placed Archarcharch mare Strategic Dreams.

“Really pretty Medaglia filly; the owner loves Megdalias,” Hager said. “There are some updates in the pedigree, which was nice. The New York-bred is always good, too. We liked some Medaglias in the last sale, and I would put her up with some of those as well. It’s nice to get one for a little bit less than what some of those were bringing.

“We were feeling like (it would be in) that range. The average price for Medaglias so far has been $415,000 for the year. I told him it was going to be around there.”

Hip 400, a colt by Life is Good, sold for $400,000 as the final yearling through the ring Sunday. Susie Raisher Photo.

The final yearling through the ring, Hip 400, brought the highest price of the session for a colt. Kenny McPeek, bidding on the phone, went to $400,000 to purchase the son of Life Is Good out of the unraced Tapit mare Tapas.

Bred by Sequel Thoroughbreds LLC and Magnolia Mares LLC, foaled at Sequel Stallions New York and consigned by Sequel New York, agent, the colt is a half-brother to three winners, including the stakes-placed Editor in Chief and Tawaret, a daughter of Pioneerof the Nile that sold in foal to Life Is Good for $175,000 at last year’s Keeneland November breeding stock sale.

The first yearling through the ring, Hip 301, a colt from the first crop of multiple Grade 1 winner Mind Control, sold for $110,000 and ended the night as the leading seller by a New York-based stallion.

Mike Ryan, agent for e Five Racing Thoroughbreds, signed for the first foal out of the winning Ghostzapper mare Madera. Bred by James Hogan and Harry Landry and foaled at Hebert Farm in Saratoga Springs, the colt sold as a weanling for $25,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga fall mixed sale. He was consigned at this year’s sale by Paramount Sales, agent.

Mind Control led the way for a yearling by a New York-based stallion when Hip 301, a colt out of the Ghostzapper mare Madera, sold for $110,000 to lead off the session. Susie Raisher Photo.

Mind Control, a 9-year-old son of Stay Thirsty out of the Lightnin N Thunder mare Feel That Fire, stands for $8,000 at Rockridge Stud in Hudson for the Rockridge Stud/Irish Hill Dutchess Views Venture.

Sackatoga Stable went to $80,000 to purchase the session’s second highest price for a yearling by a New York-based sire – Hip 327, a colt by Honest Mischief and half-brother to Grade 1 winner Haveyougoneaway.

Bred by Andy and Susan Beadnell, foaled at Bead Land & Cattle Co. in Pottersville and consigned by McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds, agent, the colt is out of the unraced Wiseman’s Ferry mare One Wise Cowgirl. She’s the dam of 11-time winner and $907,425-earner Haveyougoneaway, who sold for $1.1 million at the 2016 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky November mixed sale. One Wise Cowgirl is also the dam of five other winners, including the Central Banker gelding and $127,750-earner Top of the Mint and the Girolamo mare and $116,698-earner She’sakittykat.

Honest Mischief, a 9-year-old son of Into Mischief out of the Grade 1-winning Seattle Slew mare Honest Lady, stands for $7,500 at Sequel Stallions New York in Hudson.

The sale continues with the final session at noon Monday. The catalog features 204 yearlings and Browning knows the true test of the market comes on the final day of the Saratoga summer sales season.

“We’re not even at halftime. In hockey terms, we’re not through the first period. We’ve got two more periods to go, there’s a third of the catalog tonight and two-thirds of the catalog tomorrow,” Browning said. “But a very, very encouraging start. It gives continued confidence in the marketplace, to not only say that this is a very elite level like we saw last week. Very encouraging results. Our July yearling sale had encouraging results. It should provide confidence to the marketplace as we continue throughout the yearling process, which should translate into the mixed sales beginning in October and November. It’s fun selling horses right now.”

– Reporting by The Saratoga Special’s Julia Reedy, Darby O’Brien and Miles Clancy

By Alec DiConza

Four New York-breds sold during the second session of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale of selected yearlings, headlined by the $400,000 purchase of Hip 167. A chestnut son of Charlatan, Hip 167 was consigned by Archie St. George’s St. George Sales and sold to Pete Bradley’s Bradley Thoroughbreds, agent for Rodeo Creek Racing.

“He was an absolute athlete, he exuded class and he was in my price range,” Bradley said. “Well balanced, had a hip on him like a washer woman and was a physical specimen.”

Out of the More Than Ready mare More Than Speed, Hip 167 is a half-brother to Baby Yoda, the winner of last year’s Grade 2 True North at Saratoga Race Course. Hip 167 was bred by Town & Country Farms and was born at Mahoney Eden Manor in Saratoga Springs.

St. George was pleased with the interest shown in Hip 167.

“It was a very good sale,” St. George said. “He was very popular. First of all, I’d like to thank the buyers, Pete Bradley and Devon Bradley. I wish them the best of luck. He’s a very nice horse. The main thing now is he goes and runs for the buyers.”

Charlatan is a freshman sire this year and has produced two winners. Bradley is excited about purchasing a New York-bred by the young stallion.

“His first crop as 2-year-olds, he’s had a couple of nice winners, but I think he’s one of those horses that people are a little iffy to buy at this point. I think that could change in two or three winners, it usually does,” Bradley said. “He’s a lovely horse. The New York-bred program, the way it’s shaping up right now, has some of the best money in the United States. You’ve got to be looking at those kinds of horses.”

In total, eight New York-breds sold during the two-day sale, up from five in 2024.

Hip 152, a chestnut daughter of Jackie’s Warrior, sold to Amerman Racing through agent Bob Feld for $350,000.

“She was very correct and I liked everything about her,” Feld said. “It’s always a gamble on first-year sires. I’ve had a lot of luck buying first-year sires. My son and I have done very well doing that. You always roll the dice, but Jackie’s Warrior was a pretty impressive racehorse. She’s very nice.”

After selling for $200,000 as a weanling at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Mixed Sale, Hip 152’s success Tuesday pleased Kitty Day of Warrendale Sales.

“Very much satisfied,” Day said. “She was a $200,000 weanling, she more than realized a profit for the owners. We’re very pleased, they’re pleased. She was bought by a great family to race, so we’re very happy.”

Bred by Emcee Stable and Fortune Farm, Hip 152 was born at Mill Creek Farm in Stillwater, N.Y. Feld said the filly out of the Yes It’s True mare Martini would likely travel to Barry Berkelhammer’s Abracadabra Farm in Ocala, F.L. to start preparing for a racing career next year.

Hip 181, a filly by Golden Pal bred by Fred Hertrich III and Rob Tribbett, sold for $375,000 to Mike Ryan Tuesday night. Susie Raisher Photo.

Hip 181, bred by Fred Hertrich III and Robert Tribbett, sold for $375,000 to Mike Ryan, agent for e Five Racing Thoroughbreds. Out of Prisoner’s Dilemma, the dark bay filly by Golden Pal was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency. She was born at Sugar Maple Farm in Poughquag, N.Y.

Taylor Made Sales Agency also consigned Hip 141, who went to China Horse Club, Maverick Racing and First Go Racing for $175,000. The dark bay son of Charlatan is out of Lark Rise, by More Than Ready. She was born at Mill Creek Farm and bred by Mill Creek and Fortune Farm.

Hip 102, a daughter of Flightline bred by Kathleen Burke Schweizer and Daniel Burke, sold for $625,000 Monday at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale. Susie Raisher Photo.

By Alec DiConza

Four New York-breds sold during the opening session of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale of selected yearlings Monday.

Hip 102, a chestnut daughter of Flightline, headlined Monday’s New York-bred offerings when she sold for $625,000 to Chad Schumer, agent for KGS. The filly is out of the Grade 3-winning Bellamy Road mare Georgie’s Angel, which makes her a half-sister to two-time Grade 1 winner Cave Rock.

“She’s a lovely filly,” Schumer said about Hip 102. “She’s by an absolute superstar in Flightline. It’s rare that you see a group of yearlings by the same stallion, a new stallion, that you like them all. They’ve all been fantastic, so I really wanted to get one for the client. She’s a half to a Grade 1 winner, so she’s got tremendous residual. Really good breeders, she came from a great home. She’s just a lovely filly. Ticked all the boxes, as they say.”

Monday’s top New York-bred is a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Cave Rock. Susie Raisher Photo.

Bred by Kathleen Burke Schweizer and Daniel Burke and foaled at Longford Farm in Elmira, the filly was consigned by Eaton Sales, agent. The filly’s high price generated a lot of excitement for Eaton Sales’ Pamela Rider.

“Her physique is beautiful, her temperament is even better and she’s got the pedigree to back it up, as well,” she said.

Schumer came into the sale equally impressed with Hip 102.

“Tremendous walk on her, full of class,” he said. “She’s just one of those horses when you look at her, you might not know her pedigree, but you’d know she’d be well bred.”

Schumer entered the Saratoga sale with plans to buy top-class yearlings, so he’s pleased to have bought a member of Flightline’s highly anticipated first crop.

“This is the best yearling sale in America,” he said. “It’s a flagship. If you want to race at the top, this is where you have to buy. So, here we are.”

Hip 46 sold for $500,000 to new owner Josh Isner’s Cha Cha Chestnuts. Agents Liz Crow and Brad Weisbord picked out the colt by Maclean’s Music.

“He looks like he has a lot of speed, and he’s a New York-bred, so we’re hoping to run him up here next summer at Saratoga,” Crow said. “We’re excited about him.”

Out of the Speightstown mare Bay Harbor, the colt was bred by Fred Hertrich III, John Fielding and Robert Tribbett and foaled at Sugar Maple Farm in Poughquag. He was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent.

Hip 46, a colt by Maclean’s Music bred by Fred Hertrich III, John Fielding and Robert Tribbett, sold for $500,000 Monday at the Saratoga sale. Susie Raisher Photo.

“We thought he would bring $400,000 to $500,000,” Hertrich said. “Liz Crow and Brad Weisbord bought him and they’re very astute horse people. We’ve had luck selling them horses, and they’ve had luck buying from us. We’re very happy. They’re good people and they’ll do a great job.”

Hip 82, daughter of Cyberknife and half-sister to recent Grade 1 Test Stakes competitor and graded stakes winner Cash Call, sold for $300,000 to Mike Ryan.

Bred by Jerry Bilinski and foaled at his Waldorf Farm in North Chatham, the filly was consigned by C & S Thoroughbreds after selling for $230,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga fall mixed sale. She’s out of the winning D’wildcat mare D’Fashion.

“She’s a half-sister to two good fillies, one that’s current. Cash Call is a stakes winner this year,” Ryan said. “She’s the first crop of Cyberknife. She’s an outstanding physical. She’s got plenty of family on the female side, two half-sisters that are good stakes winners, so that always helps. She’s a New York-bred, but she looks like she’ll hold her own very well in open company. And the fact that she’s a New York-bred is just icing on the cake. She’s a quality filly. There’s a lot of nice horses here, but she was very high on my list.”

Hip 43, the first New York-bred to sell Monday, went for $190,000 to Robbie Medina, agent for Snake River Stables. The bay colt by Jack Christopher out of the stakes-winning Flatter mare Baby Nina was bred by Sunset Ridge Farm, foaled at River Valley Farm in Gansevoort and consigned by Ballysax Bloodstock, agent.

“I liked Jack Christopher a lot as a racehorse, and that horse looks pretty fast. I was kind of attracted to him, so I think he’s a good buy,” Medina said. “It’s uber competitive, especially tonight. Everything is at above premium price, so when you get something, you’re pretty happy.”

The sale continues with the second session at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.