Fasig-Tipton average dips

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Fasig Tipton Kentucky's winter mixed sale ended its two-day run here Monday with a $270,000 sale-topper bought by Eugene Melnyk.

The auction offered more horses this year, prompting company officials to expand it from one to two days. This year's 285 lots sold for $3,160,900, up 12 percent from last year, when 248 sold. The average and median prices declined slightly, the average 2.7 percent from last year's $11,408 to $11,091, and the median from $5,200 to $5,000. The buy-back rate rose from 18 percent in 2002 to 27 percent this year.

The sale-topper was a Canadian Grade 3 winner, Feathers, a 6-year-old Cherokee Run broodmare prospect. Tooth and Nail Stable sold Feathers through the agency of Three Chimneys Farm.

* Stallion Access held an auction of shares and seasons at Fasig-Tipton after the mixed sale. The top lot was a $225,000 share in Distorted Humor, whose progeny include Awesome Humor, Humorous Lady, and Funny Cide. He stands at WinStar in Versailles, Ky., for $20,000.