Numbers mixed at Fasig-Tipton New York-bred preferred yearling sale

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Four six-figure yearlings from a smaller catalog helped lift the median at Fasig-Tipton’s New York-bred preferred yearling sale this weekend in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. But numbers overall were mixed.

The two-night auction ended Sunday with a 16 percent loss in gross and a 4 percent dip in average, though the median climbed 11 percent. The buyback rate improved from last year’s figure of 46 percent to 34 percent.

The 2010 auction sold 94 horses for $3,676,000, down from last season’s $4,353,500 total for 107 yearlings. The number of horses offered dropped this year to 142; last year, 198 went through the ring. The median this year was $30,000.

Three six-figure horses sold at the second session on Sunday. Mike Repole’s Repole Stable bought the sale-topper, a $140,000 Tale of the Cat colt out of the unraced Fusaichi Pegasus mare Regard. Craig and Holly Bandoroff’s Denali Stud agency consigned the colt, a half-brother to 2-year-old winner Highest Regards. Highest Regards won his first start, a Belmont maiden special weight, in June by 3 1/4 lengths.

Also bringing $100,000 or more on Sunday were the auction’s top-priced filly, a $105,000 Afleet Alex-Try N Sue, whom Crupi’s New Castle Farm bought from Avandelle Farm, agent; a $100,000 Speightstown-Shot Gun Favorite filly that Blue Devil Stable (Hidden Brook, agent) bought from the Paramount Sales agency.

Saturday’s opening session was topped by a $100,000 Half Ours-Dixie Lyrics colt.

Repole Stable was the auction’s leading buyer with six purchases totaling $322,000.