While offspring of Tapit topped the leaderboard at the first session, those by dual Horse of the Year Curlin dominated proceedings Tuesday evening as the 2019 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale drew to a close.
Curlin was responsible for all three seven-figure purchases, including two that were obtained for a sale-high $1.5 million. The first of these was Hip No. 153, a March 23 Kentucky-bred son of Chilean champion Wapi, by Scat Daddy. He was gaveled down to the partnership of Aquis Farm, Let’s Go Stable, and Crawford Farm Racing, and hailed from the consignment of Denali Stud, agent.
The first foal out of Wapi, the colt is from the female family of other Chilean champions We Can Seek and Weekend Trip.
Also bringing $1.5 million was Hip 174, a January 25 Kentucky-bred from the consignment of Stone Farm, agent. The first foal out of Grade 3 winner America was bought by West Point Thoroughbreds, Woodford, Siena, Valdes, Singleton, Sandbrook, and Freeman.
Hip 174 c. CURLIN sells for $1,500,000 at The Saratoga Sale. Purchased by West Pt, Woodford, Siena, Valdes Singleton, Sandbrook, & Freeman from the consignment of @stonefarmky, Agent. #FasigSaratoga #FasigSelected pic.twitter.com/SEK2MTAyGq
— Fasig-Tipton (@FasigTiptonCo) August 7, 2019
America, who won the Turnback the Alarm H. (G3) and also placed in the Delaware H. (G1) and Mother Goose (G1), descends from Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Blush With Pride, the dam of Broodmare of the Year Better Than Honour. The latter produced Belmont S. (G1) winners Rags to Riches and Jazil.
Denali, agent for Stonestreet Bred & Raised, also sold a Curlin colt to Robert LaPenta & Bridlewood Farm for $1 million. The March 11 Kentucky-bred toured the ring as Hip 159. Produced by the stakes-placed Yes Liz, by Yes It’s True, the bay is from the family of multiple Grade 2 winner Chimes Band.
Trainer Kenny McPeek, agent for Fern Circle (Paul Fireman), also secured a Curlin colt, for $950,000. The January 12 Kentucky-bred was consigned by Hill ‘n’ Dale, which stands Curlin. Hip 134 is the first foal produced by Humana Distaff (G1) winner Taris, a daughter of Flatter that won four other graded stakes.
The highest offering by Triple Crown winner American Pharoah at Tuesday’s session also brought $950,000, from M.V. Magnier of Coolmore. Hip 191 is a February 7 Kentucky-bred sold by St George Sales, agent.
Produced by multiple stakes winner Bon Jovi Girl, a Malibu Moon half-sister to two-time grass champion Gio Ponti, the colt counts as a half-brother Greenwood Cup (G3) winner You’re to Blame, who placed in the Pimlico Special (G3) in May.
Average and median climbed upward at the second and final session compared to 2018, though the gross remained down due to a smaller catalog than last year. On Tuesday, 74 horses sold for $32,772,000, a decline of 3.1 percent from 2018 when 87 yearlings sold for $33,829,000. However, the session average rose 13.9 percent, from $388,839 to $442,865, while the median was up 2.9 percent, from $350,000 to $360,000.
Cumulatively, gross receipts at the two-day auction were $55,547,000 from the sale of 135 yearlings, down 11.5 percent from the $62,794,000 grossed from 170 horses last year. The average was up 11.4 percent, from $369,376 to $411,459, while the median increased 16.7 percent, from $300,000 to $350,000.
Complete results can be found at fasigtipton.com.
