Fasig-Tipton's Texas sale has rise in average price

Ruby Be Mine, a 9-year-old stakes-producing mare by Rubiano, brought a bid of $35,000 to top the Fasig-Tipton Texas mixed sale Monday at Lone Star Park near Dallas. The average price at the one-day auction featuring breeding stock was $4,553, up 12 percent from the corresponding sale in 2010.

Moon Lake Equine Center purchased Ruby Be Mine from agent 4M Ranch. The stakes-placed mare, believed to be in foal to the Forest Wildcat stallion Chatain, has produced the multiple stakes-winning filly Ruby's Big Band, an earner of more than $200,000.

Fasig-Tipton reported 55 horses sold for $250,400 in receipts on Monday, with 57 horses not sold. Last year, 76 horses sold for $307,900 in receipts, with 39 horses not sold. The average at the 2010 sale was $4,051.

In addition to the increase in average, the median price was up from $1,900 a year ago to $2,800 on Monday.

The stallion Scrimshaw, who won the Grade 2 Lexington at Keeneland in 2003, was also in the auction, bringing $6,500 from Shirley Brown, R & S Racing. He was also consigned by 4M Ranch. Scrimshaw, an 11-year-old son of Gulch, was third in the Preakness and retired with earnings of $461,842. His chief runners include Grade 3 winner Mr Rod.