Fasig-Tipton Midlantic sale: First session ends with gains in average, median

The first session of the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-year-olds in training sale closed on Monday with gains in average and median sale figures with fewer horses sold than last year’s opener.

A total of 121 horses sold for revenues of $7,235,000, down one percent compared with $7,342,500 from 156 sold during last year’s first session. The average sale price improved 27 percent from $47,067 to $59,793, while the median price of $32,000 rose 19 percent from last year’s figure of $27,000.

The buyback rate on Monday was 18 percent, down significantly from last year’s opening day rate of 26 percent.

While no horse on Monday exceeded last year’s first session-topper (and overall sale-topper) Magic Daddy’s price of $575,000, the sale’s upper market was slightly more active, as 22 horses sold for $100,000 or more, compared with 19 at last year’s opener. Six horses sold for $200,000 or more, double last year’s first session number.

Joseph H. Moss purchased the session-topper on Day One, going to $330,000 on an Unbridled’s Song colt out of the Dixie Union mare Winning Bet. His notable family members include his second dam, Grade 1 winner Fantastic Find, as well as Grade 1 winners Dancing Spree, Furlough, Finder’s Fee, and steeplechaser Tax Ruling. His page also includes Grade 2 winner T. D. Vance and Grade 3 winner Optimizer.

Consigned by de Meric Sales, agent, the colt completed a one-furlong breeze in :10.60 seconds during the pre-sale under-tack show. Nick de Meric purchased the colt, as agent, for $250,000 during last year’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga selected yearling sale. The colt was bred in Kentucky by SF Bloodstock.

Finishing closely behind the session-topper was Tahrir Square, an Offlee Wild colt, who sold to Ed Savant for $320,000.

The dark bay or brown colt is out of the Thunder Gulch mare Alittlebitearly, who is the dam of two winners from as many foals to race. He is from the family of Broodmare of the Year Courtly Dee, champion Althea, and Grade 1 winner and Claiborne Farm sire Arch, as well as several other Grade/Group 1 winners.

Consigned by Eddie Woods, agent, the colt breezed a quarter mile in :21.60 seconds during the under-tack show. Tahrir Square was bred in Kentucky by Helen Alexander.

The second and final session of the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic sale was scheduled for Tuesday, beginning at 10 a.m. Eastern at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium, Md.

For hip-by-hip results, click here.

Year	Sold	Total sales	Average	Median	Buyback
2013	121 (-32%)	$7,235,000 (-1%)	$59,793 (+27%)	$32,000 (+19%)	18%
2012	156	$7,342,500	$47,067	$27,000	26%