Fasig-Tipton Texas yearling sale shifts to October

The Fasig-Tipton Texas yearling sale has been shifted to Monday, Oct. 13, from its originally scheduled summer date of Aug. 25. The sale, which is sponsored by the Texas Thoroughbred Association, will be held at the Texas Thoroughbred Sales Pavilion on the grounds of Lone Star Park near Grand Prairie, Texas.

Consignors and association members requested the move to a later date, and Fasig-Tipton worked with Lone Star to find an optimum date on its calendar. Permission for the change by the Texas Racing Commission was required, since the new date falls during the live Quarter Horse meet at Lone Star.

This year's sale also includes a mixed session, to be held immediately following the yearling session. The format change fills a void left by the shelving of a separate mixed sale in 2011.

"There are several benefits to moving the sale to this new date," TTA Executive Director Mary Ruyle said. "The temperatures should be cooler in early fall, and the later date allows for the addition of a mixed sale session that should attract more buyers and consignors. This has long been the leading yearling auction in the region, and we think these changes will help it grow in the future."