Juveniles from the first crops of Grade 1 winner Bolt d'Oro and Triple Crown winner Justify fetched seven figures as the boutique Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream sale of selected 2-year-olds in training posted average and median figures relatively steady from last year, despite a much smaller number of horses sold.
An Uncle Mo colt threw down the fastest furlong at Gulfstream Park as Fasig-Tipton hosted the under-tack preview for its Florida selected sale of 2-year-olds in training. The sale is set to take place Wednesday in Gulfstream's paddock.
The Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream Park sale of 2-year-olds in training, which will test the upper reaches of the nation's marketplace, is set to host its breeze show Monday, giving juveniles a chance to strut their stuff on the dirt and turf courses. They'll then step, wide-eyed, into the paddock, transformed into a sale ring, on Wednesday afternoon.
As freshman sires put their first representatives on the track at breeze-up sales and spring race meetings, Bolt d'Oro was the first to strike. The young Spendthrift Farm resident recorded the two highest prices for a freshman sire at the season opener, the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co.'s March sale of 2-year-olds in training, with his offerings attracting international attention.
The North American juvenile sale season got underway in strong fashion as the season opener, the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co.'s March sale of 2-year-olds in training, concluded with gains on Wednesday evening.
A pair of colts by Into Mischief sold for seven-figure price tags as the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co.'s March sale of 2-year-olds in training came roaring out of the gate Tuesday to kick off the season with a bang.
Three Chimneys Farm struck gold with Gun Runner, as the Horse of the Year, who it co-campaigned, dominated the juvenile scene last season, setting a record for freshman-season earnings and finishing as the overall leading 2-year-old sire. Now, Three Chimneys brings a pair of Grade 1 winners with ties to the same family to this year's freshman class in Funtastic and Sharp Azteca.
As the season turns back to the 2-year-old sales, forecasters are hoping for continued sunny skies. Demand for young stock that can quickly be sent to the racetrack, particularly with those who have already proven themselves, is still high – as has been seen with young racing-age offerings during the recently concluded mixed sale season.
This year's freshman sires are an accomplished group, with Triple Crown winner and Horse of the Year Justify leading a class that includes three other Eclipse Award champions and three other American classic winners. However, City of Light – a talented horse who perhaps simply raced in the wrong year to earn a championship – has been stealing the thunder thus far.
Triple Crown winner Justify was, famously, unraced as a juvenile, becoming the first horse to win the Kentucky Derby without racing in his 2-year-old season since Apollo in 1882. After debuting on Feb. 18 as a 3-year-old in 2018, Justify swept all six of his starts, including the Triple Crown. Precocity and speed are valued in the American marketplace – but an early start has not been the end all, be all for successful stallions recently.
