F-T Saratoga kicks yearling season into high gear

Fasig-Tipton is one of three major auction houses in the United States, along with Keeneland and the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. Between them, those companies will host eight yearling sales in 2024. Fasig-Tipton kicked off the activity with its July yearling sale in Kentucky last month, and continues with its Saratoga selected yearling sale and New York-bred preferred yearling sale in August. Here is a look at the calendar for those three major companies after this month’s sales.

Keeneland September yearling sale

Sept. 9-21, Lexington, Ky.

2023 renewal: The September sale offers the bulk of the North American crop and draws a global marketplace to a sale that, in the last three years alone, has produced American classic winners Early Voting, Mo Donegal, Mage, Arcangelo, and Dornoch. Last year, the sale concluded its marathon run with a relatively stable marketplace across all levels, as 2,754 yearlings sold for $394,127,900. The average price was $143,111, ticking up slightly from 2022 for a record figure. The median was $67,000, down only 4 percent from the 2022 record.

Last year’s topper: A $3 million Into Mischief colt from the family of eventual divisional champion Fierceness was purchased by West Point Thoroughbreds, Woodford Racing, and Chuck Sonson. The colt is still unnamed, but is breezing in Saratoga for Todd Pletcher.

Fasig-Tipton California fall yearling sale

Sept. 24, Pomona, Calif.

2023 renewal: According to sale company statistics, 185 horses were sold for $5,751,500 at the state’s leading yearling auction, compared to 205 sold for $6,257,100 in 2022. The average was $31,089, up 2 percent from the prior year, while the median fell 11 percent, to $15,000.

Last year’s topper: A California-bred colt by Vronsky was purchased for $250,000 by West Point Thoroughbreds. Now named Miles Finch, he is breezing for John Sadler in California.

Fasig-Tipton Midlantic fall yearling sale

Sept. 30-Oct. 1, Timonium, Md.

2023 renewal: Fasig-Tipton reported that 289 yearlings, many bred or certified in the regional programs of Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia, and other states, sold for gross receipts of $7,078,000. At the prior year’s sale, 386 yearlings changed hands over two days for a gross of $10,266,400. The cumulative average price was $24,491, dipping 8 percent. The median fell 20 percent, to $12,000.

Last year’s topper: A Maryland-bred son of Nyquist was purchased for $205,000 by the partnership of Thorostock LLC and Seth Morris Thoroughbreds. He is still unnamed, and has not raced or breezed through July 29.

Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co.’s October yearling sale

Oct. 8-9, Ocala, Fla.

2023 renewal: OBS reported that 386 horses sold over its two-day sale for gross receipts of $7,692,100. One year prior, 394 yearlings sold in two sessions for $10,560,900. True session-to-session and year-to-year comparisons came with a caveat: In 2022, OBS conducted the October yearling sale with both a designated selected session and an open session, and at the time, reported the figures for each as a separate sale. Both sessions of the 2023 renewal were designated as open sessions. The average for the 2023 sale was $19,928, compared to a cumulative $26,804 in 2022. The median was $12,500, compared to $17,000.

Last year’s topper: A $250,000 Mitole colt was purchased by Quarter Pole Enterprises; he was later pinhooked for $725,000 to Speedway Stables. Now named Southern Gentleman, the Florida-bred is in training in California.

Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October yearling sale

Oct. 21-24, Lexington, Ky.

2023 renewal: The final stop on the North American calendar has expanded to four sessions in recent years to meet market demand, fueled by this sale’s premium results on the racetrack, with graduates including two-time Eclipse Award champion Goodnight Olive and this year’s Kentucky Oaks winner Thorpedo Anna. Last year, 1,064 hopefuls sold for gross receipts of $51,120,000. The 2022 sale set records across the board in the three major economic categories, as 1,100 horses changed hands for a gross of $55,426,500. The 2023 cumulative average price was $48,045, dipping 5 percent, and the median was $24,000, dropping 4 percent.

Last year’s topper: Agent Jessie Longoria signed the ticket on behalf of Zane Kiehne and Grier Brunson for a $725,000 colt by Triple Crown winner Justify and from the family of Horse of the Year Azeri. Named San Saba, the colt has not started or breezed through July 29.