Fasig-Tipton has cataloged 235 yearlings for its 89th annual sale at Saratoga
on Monday and Tuesday evening. Both sessions will begin at 6 p.m. (EDT) at the
newly-remodeled sales grounds on East Avenue in Saratoga Springs, New York.
“We have beaten down doors in recruiting for Saratoga this year, resulting in
a catalog which is 21 percent bigger than 2008 and the highest number cataloged
in more than a decade,” Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning said.
“But more important than bigger is better,” Browning added, “and this is an
outstanding group of yearlings. Our traditional consignors have supported us
strongly and we look forward to welcoming more than a dozen newcomers to
Saratoga in 2009.”
Sires with first-crop yearlings on offer include champion Bernardini; Grade 1
winners Artie Schiller, Bellamy Road, Bluegrass Cat, Borrego, First Samurai,
Henny Hughes and Silver Train; and Grade 2 victor Rockport Harbor.
Among young stallions whose first runners are just hitting the track, Horse
of the Year Ghostzapper, champion Afleet Alex, and Grade 1 scorers Consolidator,
Eddington and Rock Hard Ten have yearlings entered at Saratoga.
The progeny of established sires will be out in force as well, with yearlings
by the likes of A.P. Indy, Awesome Again, Cherokee Run, Distorted Humor,
Dynaformer, El Prado (Ire), Elusive Quality, Forestry, Giant’s Causeway, Gone
West, Hennessy, Indian Charlie, Kingmambo, Maria’s Mon, More Than Ready, Mr.
Greeley, Pulpit, Quiet American, Seeking the Gold, Smart Strike, Storm Cat,
Street Cry (Ire), Tale of the Cat, Tiznow and Unbridled’s Song.
The catalog also features yearlings by such up-and-coming stallions as Empire
Maker, Medaglia d’Oro, Sky Mesa, Speightstown and Tapit, as well as offspring by
Australian super-sire Encosta de Lago, leading German stallion Monsun and
outstanding English-based sire Singspiel (Ire).
Executive Vice-President Dan Pride commented on the importance of Saratoga to
Fasig-Tipton.
“Even as the Thoroughbred industry moves through challenging economic times,
our ambition for Saratoga is to maintain and improve its place as one of the
most successful and enjoyable yearling auctions in the world.
“This year, visitors will experience extensive and exciting renovations to
the sales grounds, the biggest project since the pavilion was built almost fifty
years ago. It is part of an overall commitment from Fasig-Tipton to provide for
sellers and buyers the best possible sales venues for Thoroughbreds wherever we
operate.”
In other sales news, the New York Racing Association and Fasig-Tipton
announced the establishment of a $100,000 Saratoga “Juvenile Jackpot” to be
awarded to the first graduate of the 2009 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Selected
Yearlings Sale to win a graded stakes race during the 2010 Saratoga meet.
Should no juvenile qualify for the prize in 2010, the award doubles to
$200,000 for Fasig-Tipton yearlings purchased in 2010 at the Saratoga Select
Sale who run at Saratoga in 2011.
“The Juvenile Jackpot rewards owners with Fasig-Tipton Selected Saratoga
Sales grads for success at the premier race meet in the world,” Browning said.
“The program represents another innovative collaboration between NYRA and Fasig-Tipton
to showcase the quality of yearlings that pass through the Saratoga sales ring.”
As a build-up to the sale, the inaugural Fasig-Tipton Festival of Racing
was held on Saturday and Sunday, celebrating the rich history of Fasig-Tipton in Saratoga
and the important partnership between racing and yearling sales.
For the complete catalog and other sales information, log onto fasigtipton.com.