Gross up, average down at Fasig-Tipton Texas sale

An unnamed colt by Even the Score brought a bid of $120,000 to top the Fasig-Tipton Texas summer yearling sale that saw an increase in gross receipts but a drop in average price from the corresponding auction in 2007. The two-day sale was held on Monday and Tuesday at Lone Star Park.

A total of 281 horses sold for $3,369,700 an increase of 26 percent, for an average price of $11,992, down 12 percent. Last year, 241 horses sold for $3,283,200, for an average of $13,623. The buy-back rate was about even, with 162 yearlings not selling this year, compared with 141 at the corresponding sale in 2007.

"Overall, given the economics and where the market is, I think that we did have a horse sale here," said Tim Boyce, director of sales for Fasig-Tipton Texas. "I thought we did some good horse trading."

Boyce said 10 horses sold for $70,000 or more at this sale, compared with six at that same level or better in 2007. And of the 10 horses, he said, there were four who sold for $100,000 or more this year, compared with three lots at that level or better in 2007.

Lee Young Farm purchased the sales-topper on Monday from Elysian Bloodstock, agent. The Louisiana-bred horse is out of the mare Whata Rock, a multiple stakes winner of $205,502.

"Hopefully, he'll be a nice colt," said trainer Troy Young, who scouted the horse on behalf of his father, Lee Young. "We liked his conformation. It looked like he had a good mind on him, and it looks like he's going to fit our program.

"We'll break him within the next 30 days, then just turn him out, and then bring him up [next] August. He probably won't start until he's 3 years old. He probably won't start until January. That's what we do with all our horses."

The second-highest lot was a More Than Ready colt who brought $110,000 from M & B Bloodstock. Roger Daly was the agent on the horse, who is a full brother to stakes winner Audacious Chloe.