LEXINGTON, Ky. – As the hammer fell on the final day of the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky fall yearling sale on Thursday, the sale brought to a smashing end what has been a strong North American yearling season that began in July right here at the company's Newtown Paddocks headquarters. The October sale finished with record figures for gross, average, and median, led by one of the highest-priced colts in its history. Fasig-Tipton reported 1,095 yearlings sold across four sessions for $71,843,500, up 22 percent from what was a record $58,940,000 last year, when more horses, 1,125, sold. The average bettered another record previously established last year by 25 percent, finishing at $65,491 this week compared to $52,392. The median was a record $30,000. The figure improved 50 percent over the 2024 figure of $20,000. The previous record median was $25,000, established in 2022. The median is considered a key figure for market health, including in the crucial middle markets, because it samples a wide swath of activity rather than being influenced by the top prices, as averages can be. This week's buyback rate was a healthy 18 percent, as figures under 20 percent are considered particularly good in what has been a selective marketplace. Last year's buyback rate was 17 percent, the lowest at this sale since 2013, meaning this year's figure was not only relatively stable, but historically competitive. :: Access the most trusted data and information in horse racing! DRF Past Performances and Picks are available now. “The sale was a tremendous success,” Fasig-Tipton president Boyd Browning Jr. said. “Great crowd, great participation, great interest, and great activity on the sales grounds from Saturday [when showing began] through the end of the sale tonight. We’re thrilled with the results. If you chart the growth of this sale over the last 10, 15 years, it’s certainly solidified its place on the calendar as an important sale for both buyers and sellers. It’s very rewarding and very encouraging for breeders to be able to come to this sale and have outstanding results.” The October sale's record edition closed out a season in which a number of records fell for the nation's major auction houses. Fasig-Tipton kicked the season off with its July sale in Kentucky, which tied its record median. The company then proceeded to smash its records for gross, average, and median at its boutique Saratoga selected yearling sale. The company also has seen strength in regional marketplaces, with records across the board at its New York-bred yearling sale and its Midlantic fall yearling sale. Meanwhile, the Keeneland September sale, which tests the market at a number of levels across a roughly two-week run, demolished its records for gross, average, and median. Not to be forgotten, the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co.’s fall yearling sale finished with double-digit gains across the board. ON SALE NOW: DRF Breeders' Cup Packages! Get everything you need to win and save big. Cited as reasons for the gains have been changes to the tax code that favor many Thoroughbred owners, strong purse structures in many jurisdictions, and an increased interest in horse ownership – particularly in partnerships – due to media coverage, celebrity involvement, and other factors. The record average at Fasig-Tipton's October sale was fueled by a very strong upper marketplace. The auction was topped by a $900,000 Curlin colt who led Monday's opening session when purchased by Legion Bloodstock. His price was good for the third-highest in the October sale’s history, behind only a Storm Cat filly in 1999 and a Street Sense colt in 2021 who each brought $925,000. “He’s a beautiful horse. They’re hard to find that look like him,” Legion’s Kristian Villante said of the Curlin colt. “We’ve looked at him for two days now, and every day we fell in love with him. He kind of stood out here. We knew we would have to be strong here.” Just behind the Curlin colt, the second-highest price overall was an $850,000 Candy Ride colt purchased by D. J. Stable on Wednesday. Overall, seven horses sold for $500,000 or more this week, easily besting the four to reach the mark last year. For hip-by-hip results, click here.  :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.