Business up at Fasig-Tipton Saratoga as Orb colt brings $1 million

Kerri Radcliffe Bloodstock obtained $2.975 million worth of yearlings Tuesday night at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale, including the $1 million-selling Orb colt that was both the session and co-sale topper at the two-night select auction.

Consigned by Gainesway, agent, Hip No. 186 is from the second crop of the 2013 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner and is the first foal produced by the Grade 3-winning Flashy American, by Flashy Bull. The March 28 Kentucky-bred is from the family of multiple Grade 3 winner I'm Already Sexy. The colt was a successful pinhook, having brought $310,000 as a Fasig-Tipton November weanling.

Stalling at $995,000 was another Gainesway consigned colt that was the penultimate yearling through the ring as Hip 226. The War Front full brother to current Grade 1-winning turf mare Avenge sold to Godolphin. Out of Lerici, by Woodman, the April 28 Kentucky-bred is also a half-brother to multiple stakes winner Lira.

Live Oak Plantation secured Hip 198, a Strong Mandate half-sister to Grade 3 winners Cali Star and Delightful Joy. Offered by Baccardi Bloodstock, agent, the February 12 Kentucky-bred was reared by the Grade 3-winning Graeme Six, by Graeme Hall, and previously sold for $270,000 as a Keeneland November weanling.

Another major purchase by Kerri Radcliffe Bloodstock was Hip 132, a Scat Daddy filly obtained for $800,000. Consigned by Hunter Valley Farm, agent, the March 18 Kentucky-bred is out of the stakes-placed Auction, a daughter of Mr. Greeley and the Italian highweight Exhibit One.

A few moments earlier, an Animal Kingdom colt was gaveled down to OXO Equine LLC for $750,000. Hip 129, consigned by Gainesway, is out of Art Teacher, a Master Command half-sister to Grade 2 winner Indian Firewater. The son of the 2011 Kentucky Derby winner was sold for $110,000 as a weanling at Keeneland last November.

Also bringing $750,000 was Hip 181, an Orb filly obtained by Solis/Litt. Out of Fashion Cat, a Forest Wildcat half-sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Peace Rules, the yearling's a three-quarter sister to Grade 2 winner Corfu and a half-sister to the stakes-placed Runway Ready. She previously sold for $150,000 at Keeneland November.

Among the notable buybacks Tuesday was a War Front half-sister to European champion Peeping Fawn and Group 1 winner Thewayyouare. From the family of Broodmare of the Year Better Than Honour, she left the ring unsold after a $1 million bid.

Despite that, business was up across the board for both the session and the sale at the conclusion of trading. Tuesday night, 81 horses sold for $28,570,000, an increase of 17.3 percent over last year's second session when 83 yearlings brought $24,355,000. The session average jumped 20.2 percent, from $293,434 to $352,716, while the median rose 27.7 percent, from $235,000 to $300,000.

For the entire sale, 156 yearlings grossed $52,995,000, an increase of 16.3 percent over 2016 when the same number of horses yielded receipts of $45,570,000. The average rose by the same percentage, from $292,115 to $339,712, while the median was up 26.3 percent, from $237,500 to $300,000.

Full results are available at fasigtipton.com.