Fasig-Tipton declines continue

High upper-end prices livened up Tuesday at the second day of Fasig-Tipton Kentucky's October yearling sale, but the session still posted across-the-board declines.

A $310,000 Giant's Causeway colt out of Grade 2-placed City College was the most expensive yearling sold Tuesday. Marion Montanari purchased the chestnut colt, who sold as Hip No. 710 in Francis and Barbara Vanlangendonck's Summerfield consignment. The colt is a full brother to Irish stakes-placed Trinity College.

Montanari bought out Coolmore, which bred Hip No. 710 in partnership with her and also stands Giant's Causeway.

The session-topper was one of six yearlings to bring $100,000 or more at the session, but the upper-market activity did not prevent the general decline in prices.

Tuesday's session sold 205 yearlings for $3,147,200, down 41 percent from last year's gross for 269 horses. The average price fell 22 percent to $15,352, and the median plunged 40 percent to $6,000. Cumulatively through two sessions, the 2008 sale has sold 387 yearlings for $5,320,300, a decrease of 50 percent from last year's total for 566 horses. The two-day average of $13,748 was down 27 percent, and the $6,000 median represented a decline of 40 percent.

Last year's auction ran two days, compared with three this year. The sale was to continue through Wednesday at Newtown Paddocks in Lexington, Ky.