Fasig-Tipton October: Indian Charlie colt sells for $250,000 on final day

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Fasig-Tipton’s bullish October yearling sale continued to run ahead of last year’s numbers Wednesday as it entered the homestretch on its last day of selling.

At 3:30 p.m., a $250,000 Indian Charlie colt from the family of Grade 1-placed Victory U. S. A. was the session leader. Charles Zacney, whose Cash Is King partnership campaigned dual classic winner Afleet Alex, bought the March 3 foal. The bay colt is out of multiple Grade 2 winner Foresta and was part of the Woods Edge agency’s consignment.

With nearly 200 horses left to sell, the three-day auction’s figures were running well ahead of last year’s with 723 yearlings at that point totaling $19,751,400 – a 16 percent lead over last year’s final gross for 710. The $27,319 average was 14 percent ahead of last year’s final figure, $24,010, and the $14,000 median was up by 17 percent over last season’s $12,000.

At Tuesday’s second session, a Speightstown colt set the auction alight when he brought a $440,000 bid – well above the auction’s second highest price of $265,000 – from Mandy Pope’s Whisper Hill Farm. Consigned by Taylor Made Sales agency, the gray or roan colt is a Feb. 2 foal out of the Dehere mare Betty’s Pet, a full sister to graded winner Millions. The colt is a half-brother to stakes-winner Vaulcluse and is from a deep family of graded and group performers, including French Group 1 winner Elusive City, now a sire.

Tuesday’s session gross increased 25 percent with 43 more yearlings sold this year, rising from last year’s $6,358,800 for 254 horses to $7,968,900 for 297 horses. Average price gained 7 percent. climbing from $25,035 to $26,831, and median advanced 8 percent, from $12,000 to $14,000. Buybacks for the day were 19 percent, up from last season’s 17 percent.