Gross, average up at Fasig-Tipton

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Fasig-Tipton Kentucky's winter mixed auction ended Monday evening in Lexington with upswings in gross and average and a median level with last year's.

The two-day auction sold 318 horses for $6,452,400, a gain of 2 percent from last year's aggregate for 371 horses. The 2008 average price of $20,291 was up by 19 percent. The $7,000 median was the same as last year's figure. Buy-backs improved slightly, dropping from 25 percent last year to 24 percent.

The sale topper, auctioned Sunday, was the $320,000 racing or broodmare prospect Placid Lake. The 6-year-old Greenwood Lake mare went to buyer John Lossen, agent. She sold as part of the Hill 'n' Dale agency's consignment. Placid Lake most recently finished third in the Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf.

The Monday session's top price was $200,000 for the 5-year-old racing or broodmare prospect Coli Bear, by Formal Dinner. Crossroads Sales, agent, sold Coli Bear to G. Chris Coleman.