New York-bred sale continues to build on program's success

The New York-bred program is considered one of the best regional program in the nation, with a flourishing incentive program to encourage and reward in-state breeding activity, and Thoroughbreds born in the state going on to success at the highest levels in the U.S. and worldwide.

Last year, six individual New York-breds won graded stakes in the U.S., highlighted by Grade 1 winners Red Knight and Therapist, and Eclipse Award finalist Maple Leaf Mel. Through July 20, three individual New York-breds are graded stakes winners in 2024 – Kinza, Mo Plex, and My Mane Squeeze.

Those shopping the Fasig-Tipton New York-bred preferred yearling sale know they have the opportunity for big rewards, and that has created a robust market. This year’s renewal is set for Sunday, Aug. 11, and Monday, Aug. 12, at the Humphrey S. Finney Pavilion in Saratoga Springs. Fasig-Tipton has cataloged 300 yearlings for the sale.

Sunday’s session begins at 7 p.m., following the races at Saratoga Race Course. The Monday session, which includes the bulk of the catalog, begins at noon.

“The New York-bred program grows stronger every year, and in 2024 over $65 million will be distributed in purse money, incentives, and awards,” Fasig-Tipton president and CEO Boyd Browning Jr. said. “There has never been a better time to own a New York-bred.”

Last year’s New York-bred yearling sale finished with 220 yearlings sold for gross receipts of $20,929,000, including post-ring private sales. That established a record gross figure.

The average price was $95,132, good for third-highest in sale history, behind $107,512 in 2018 and $107,314 in 2022. The median was $75,000, second best in the sale’s history behind the $76,000 established in 2018. The buyback rate was 27 percent.

Prominent Kentucky stallions are likely to have headlining progeny in this catalog. Those represented include the record-setting Gun Runner; breakout young classic sire Good Magic; exciting freshmen Complexity and Vekoma; and perennially prominent stallions including American Pharoah, Candy Ride, Medaglia d’Oro, More Than Ready, Not This Time, Quality Road, Uncle Mo, and War Front.

New York stallions represented include leading sire Central Banker; last year’s leading freshman Solomini, the sire of a graded stakes winner in his first crop; current freshman Honest Mischief, from the popular Into Mischief sireline; and several first-crop sires.

Following are some yearlings to watch at this year’s Fasig-Tipton New York-bred sale, based on their pedigrees and recent auction results from family members. This list accounts for catalog updates and sale outs through July 20.

Day 1 – Sunday, Aug. 11

Hip 352, filly by Mo Town – Timberlea, by Flatter. Consigned by McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds.

The first foal out of Timberlea is Wynstock – by McMahon stallion Solomini – a New York-bred who has won the Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity and the Los Alamitos Derby against open company. This is the family of Grade/Group 1 winners Joking and Minardi, as well as Grade 2 winner and prominent sire Tale of the Cat.

Hip 370, colt by Gun Runner – Room to Finish, by Giant Oak. Consigned by Denali Stud, agent.

This is the second foal out of a stakes-winning mare who is from the immediate family of Grade/Group 1 winners A Phenomenon, Con Te Partiro, and Seattle Meteor.

Hip 375, colt by Medaglia d’Oro – Wild Grace, by Forest Wildcat. Consigned by Northview Stallion Station, agent.

Wild Grace has been a solid broodmare, producing four winners from six starters. Her second dam is Grade 1 winner Fantastic Find, making this the deep family of Horse of the Year Flightline, champion Heavenly Prize, and Grade 1 winners Dancing Spree, Finder’s Fee, Furlough, Good Reward, and Oh What a Windfall.

Day 2 – Monday, Aug. 12

Hip 405, filly by Central Banker – Bee in a Bonnet, by Precise End. Consigned by McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds.

Stakes-placed Bee in a Bonnet is the dam of five winners from six starters, including New York-bred champion Bank Sting, a full sister to this filly, and stakes-placed Liberty Island.

Hip 444, colt by Caravaggio – Dakota Kid, by Lemon Drop Kid. Consigned by The New Hill Farm, agent.

Caravaggio is having an outstanding season internationally. Dakota Kid, a half-sister to Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Dakota Phone, is the dam of three winners from four starters, including stakes winners Dakota Gold and Ramblin’ Wreck.

Hip 463, colt by Beau Liam – Dynamic Holiday, by Harlan’s Holiday. Consigned by Highgate Sales, agent.

Grade 3 winner Dynamic Holiday, a half-sister to four stakes winner, is the dam of Trikari, winner of the Grade 1 Belmont Derby.

Hip 483, colt by Improbable – Fresco, by Freud. Consigned by Winter Quarter Farm, agent for Oak Bluff Stables.

This is the second foal out of a stakes-winning full sister to Grade 1 winner Therapist. This is the family of Broodmare of the Year Fall Aspen, the dam of classic winner and champion Timber Country; of champion Dubai Millennium; and of Grade 1 winner and prominent sire Dixie Union.

Hip 486, filly by Connect – Georgie’s Angel, by Bellamy Road. Consigned by Eaton Sales, agent for Longford Farm.

Graded stakes winner Georgie’s Angel is the dam of Grade 1 winner Cave Rock. A half-brother to this filly sold for $700,000 at the 2022 New York-bred yearling sale, one of its top prices all time.

Hip 529, filly by Vino Rosso – Lake Toccet, by Toccet. Consigned by Fort Christopher’s Thoroughbreds, agent.

Unraced Lake Toccet is the dam of seven winners from eight starters, including multiple stakes winners Freudie Anne and Frostie Anne. This family is well represented in the catalog, as Freudie Anne’s yearling filly by Tiz the Law and Frostie Annie’s yearling colt by Yaupon could both easily make a short list as well.

Hip 595, colt by Quality Road – Portmagee, by Hard Spun. Consigned by Winter Quarter Farm, agent.

Grade 3-placed stakes winner Portmagee is also the dam of stakes winner Derrynane, a full sister to this colt.