F-T horses of racing age sale takes moderate dip

Graded stakes-placed juvenile County Final parlayed his early success into a $475,000 price tag to lead the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky selected horses of racing age sale, which finished its single session with year-to-year declines on Monday evening in Lexington, Ky., as it stood on its own.

A total of 81 horses changed hands for gross receipts of $5,072,000 during the sale, which had been held in conjunction with Fasig-Tipton's July yearling sale since its inception in 2013. With the coronavirus pandemic upending the sales calendar this year, the sale was a standalone event. Last year's horses of racing age sale concluded with 95 horses sold for $6,548,500.

Monday's average price finished at $62,617, a moderate decline of 9 percent from $68,932 last year. The median dropped 33 percent to $30,000 from $45,000. The buyback rate was 32 percent, compared to 30 percent.

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County Final will continue his career for West Point Thoroughbreds, R.A. Hill, and Spedel Family Racing after being purchased by that partnership to top the sale. The Oxbow colt made the first two starts of his career for the partnership of trainer John Ennis, Hayden Noriega, and 47 Roses LLC; Ennis consigned the colt to Fasig-Tipton, as agent.

County Final won his debut on June 5 at Churchill Downs, wiring a 5 1/2-furlong maiden special weight on the turf by four lengths. Three weeks later, he finished second in the Grade 3 Bashford Manor Stakes on the Churchill dirt, beaten 4 3/4 lengths by victorious favorite Cazadero.

The colt is out of the stakes-winning Tapit mare Tapajo, whose three starters are all winners. The mare is a half-sister to stakes-placed Spooked, and Grade 1 winner Currency Swap appears on the catalog page.

Per Capita, a winning son of Tapit, fetched the second-highest price of the sale, selling for $325,000 to Red Oak Stable, agent for Nick Sacco. The 4-year-old colt is a full brother to Grade 2 winner Anchor Down and Grade 3 winner Iron Fist, and also a half-sibling to Grade 1 winner Sweet Lulu.

Graded stakes-placed 3-year-olds Toledo and Impeccable Style each brought $275,000 to round out the top prices. Toledo, sold to Bruno DeBerdt, was third in the Grade 3 Holy Bull at Gulfstream this year behind eventual Belmont Stakes winner Tiz the Law and Ete Indian. Impeccable Style, runner-up in the Grade 3 Indiana Oaks last week, was purchased by Bradley Thoroughbreds.

For complete sale results, click here.