Sunday’s inaugural Fasig-Tipton Turf Showcase, the first North American yearling sale designed for turfy types, underscored the demand for progeny of the late Scat Daddy. Two representatives of his final crop tied atop the leaderboard at $250,000.
But that’s because the top four hammer prices all turned out to be RNAs – a $375,000 War Front half-sister to Parading (Pulpit) descended from Hall of Famer Personal Ensign (Private Account), a $300,000 Kitten’s Joy half-brother to unbeaten juvenile Dak Attack (Ghostzapper), a $275,000 Medaglia d’Oro half-brother to millionaire Finnegans Wake (Powerscourt), and a $270,000 Distorted Humor colt.
The quartet illustrated a pattern throughout the new auction. With 71 of 145 led out unsold, the buyback rate approached 50 percent.
“We really didn’t know what to expect coming into the night,” Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning said, “and I think we learned some things, both positive and some areas (for) improvement.
“There was a great group of buyers here. One thing we learned on the buyer side of things is, it takes time to change behavior. It was an interesting evening.”
The first Scat Daddy to bring $250,000 was Hip No. 50, purchased by Lothenbach Stables from Vinery Sales, agent for Spendthrift Farm. The May 8 colt is the first registered foal from stakes winner Harbingerofthings. The Rockport Harbor mare is a half-sister to stakes scorer A Lover’s Question (Spring at Last) and current stakes-placed Mr. Magician (Street Magician) from a productive Mid-Atlantic family.
Later, Hip 84 from the Taylor Made Sales Agency consignment matched that price when going to De Meric Stables, agent. Also a first foal, the March 22 colt is out of the Danehill Dancer mare Luvly Rita, herself a half-sister to Renew (Dansili), winner of stakes in England and Australia and Group 2-placed Down Under. This is the immediate family of sisters Quarter Moon and Yesterday (Sadler’s Wells) and recent Group 2 victor Eminent, third in Saturday’s Irish Champion (G1).
Taylor Made also sold two for $200,000. A Kitten’s Joy filly, touring the ring early on as Hip 12, commanded that amount from Cheyenne Stables. A full sister to current multiple stakes winner and Grade 3-placed Kitten’s Cat, she was produced by the unraced Brushwork, who is in turn a daughter of Discreet Cat and multiple Grade 1 vixen Manistique (Unbridled). Also bringing $200,000 was yet another Scat Daddy colt, Hip 85 out of Madera Dancer (Rahy), knocked down to Hunter Valley Farm.
Rounding out the top five was a $200,000 Malibu Moon colt secured by T. McGreevy as agent for Michael Stinson. Offered by Darby Dan Farm, agent, Hip 168 is a son of Group 3 victress Article Rare (El Prado) with his second dam being noted matron Action Francaise (Nureyev) and third dam the legendary Allez France (*Sea-Bird).
Fasig-Tipton reported that 74 yearlings grossed $5,035,000, resulting in an average of $68,041 and a $52,500 median. Those numbers were held down by the plethora of RNAs.
For complete results, visit fasigtipton.com.
