Two dispersals of high-profile Thoroughbred operations continued to play out in the background of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga selected yearling sale, with four yearlings from Sam-Son Farm and one from Pin Oak Stud selling.
Todd Pletcher was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in a ceremony at Fasig-Tipton's Humphrey S. Finney Pavilion. Most likely not considered by voters was Pletcher's record of turning out runners who go on to succeed as stallions. However, it certainly became relevant when crowds returned to the pavilion for the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga selected yearling sale. A group of 27 yearlings by former Pletcher trainees changed hands at the boutique sale for $13.14 million, an average of $486,667.
The average yearling price at Tuesday’s Northern California yearling and horses of racing age sale in Pleasanton was the highest since the 2015 sale, according to the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association, which conducted the auction.
Keeneland has announced that 4,034 yearlings, representing a sizeable percentage of the North American foal crop, have been cataloged for its bellwether September yearling sale, which will take place over 11 sessions from Sept. 13-24.
A blockbuster $2.6 million colt by leading sire Into Mischief sold to the Coolmore group led a quartet of seven-figure horses as the 100th edition of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale took its place in history with a record-tying median and its second-best average all-time.
A $1.6 million Uncle Mo colt led the way as high-end Thoroughbred trade returned to Saratoga on Monday evening. The Fasig-Tipton Saratoga selected yearling sale, which is celebrating its 100th edition this week, found steady going in its opening session, setting the stage for what could be a solid finish at its second and final session Tuesday night.
The domino effect caused by the coronavirus pandemic rippled with increasing speed through the Thoroughbred bloodstock industry in 2020, disrupting the North American juvenile and yearling sales seasons. The turn of the calendar to 2021 was welcome, and indeed, fortunes have been turning.
After a year's hiatus, New York breeders and owners once again have a local marketplace to showcase their stock to prospective buyers as the Fasig-Tipton New York-bred preferred yearling sale returns to Saratoga Springs on Aug. 15-16.
Among the many events the coronavirus pandemic pushed off the calendar in 2020 was a celebration of the 100th editions of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga selected yearling sale. With the pandemic hopefully receding, Fasig-Tipton is back with a full slate of sales this year, including what it has dubbed “the sale of a century.”
Following are horses to watch during the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga selected yearling sale.
