Fasig-Tipton to offer online video glimpses

Potential bidders at Fasig-Tipton’s Aug. 2-3 Saratoga select yearling sale will, for the first time, be able to view video clips of most of the cataloged yearlings.

The clips will be available through the Fasig-Tipton TV and interactive catalog sections of Fasig-Tipton’s website at www.fasigtipton.com or on mobile devices via mobile.fasigtipton.com. Video clips show headshots, walking, and profile conformation shots.

Bayne Welkere, Fasig-Tipton’s vice president for sales, said about 75 percent of the yearlings in the catalog already are available for “virtual inspection” through video clips and that Fasig-Tipton expects about 85 percent of the catalog will have videos available by the time the sale begins. Welker said the voluntary video-clip service is a pilot program designed to allow potential bidders who are not at the sale but who like a catalog pedigree to get a view of the yearling.

“After the sale we’ll review and see how it stacked up, then get back with consignors and buyers and see what role it played in the process,” Welker said.

Welker said Fasig-Tipton will be able to track the service’s number of hits and where those views come from and will use that information to determine how useful the program has been for buyers and sellers.

Potential bidders also will be able to e-mail, link, or embed yearling videos by clicking the video player’s “share with friends” button.