Cody's Wish Colt Tops First Session of NY Bred Yearlings

The first session of the Fasig-Tipton New York Bred Yearlings sale, conducted Sunday evening in the Humphrey S. Finney Pavilion in Saratoga Springs, posted steady activity, with a number of major outfits shopping the sale grounds for a program on the upswing and more than half of the yearlings sold in the session fetching six figure price.

“Now, New York bred maidens are running for the same prices as open maidens,” said noted bloodstock agent Mike Ryan, who made multiple purchases on the evening. “There’s no doubt it’s the best regional program in the world, probably, but certainly in this country. And with the new Belmont coming along, it’s an extra bonus when you buy a nice one that’s New York-bred, because it opens the doors for many opportunities. I think it’s going to continue, and I think the quality of the New York bred program is increasing all the time.”

Six juveniles sold for $300,000 or more to lead the way Sunday evening. Topping all of those was a colt from the first crop of 2023 Horse of the Year Cody's Wish (hip 358), selling for $360,000 to Taproot Bloodstock, as agent for Lee Lewis, a client of trainer Mark Hennig's (video). The colt was consigned by Sequel, as agent for Chester Broman, who, for many years alongside his late wife Mary, has been noted as one of New York's perennial leading breeders.

"Just a really nice physical on the colt," Phil Hager of Taproot said. "A big walk, very athletic, mare's been productive. ... So we really like the colt, he was king of the top of our colt list. We were excited to get him."

This bay colt, an April foal, is out of the stakes winning More Than Ready mare Hard to Stay Notgo, who has produced five winners from as many starters, including stakes winners Makin My Move and Mommy's Turn and stakes placed Gotta Go Mo. Hard to Stay Notgo is a half-sister to stakes winners Haul Anchor and Mark My Way. A number of prominent performers appearing on the catalogue page include Grade 1 winners Joking and Minardi, as well as Grade 2 winner and prominent sire Tale of the Cat.

Showing the strength throughout the night, the final horse through the ring, a colt from the first crop of champion Forte (hip 400), attracted the second highest price of the session, going for $350,000 to trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. (video).

“The way he carries himself when he moves, when he walks, he’s a very good mover,” Joseph said. “You would hope that carries over to when he gets under tack. We’re going to have more presence in New York next year. Obviously, the incentives with the New York program makes you more willing to get involved.”

The bay colt, consigned by Taylor Made sales Agency, as agent, is out of the winning Liam's Map mare Liam's Lookout, who has produced one winner to date. She is a half-sister to Grade 2 winner Itsaknockout and to stakes winner Storm Power. Kentucky Oaks winner Believe You Can appears on this catalogue page. This colt was bred by Fred W. Hertrich lll.

Sequel, which bases its own breeding operation in Hudson, enjoyed a stellar opening night. Shortly before offering the session topper, it was represented as both the breeder and consignor of what turned out to be the third highest price of the night, a bay filly from the second crop of Golden Pal (hip 350). The May foal was a $320,000 purchase by LJSS Thoroughbreds, Adelphi Racing Club, and Chief Horse Futures.

"He's off to a tremendous start at stud," bloodstock agent Joe Migliore said of Golden Pal. "A filly we really thought was one of the top fillies not only of tonight's session, but of the sale overall. Showed herself tremendously, with a lot of class, every time we looked at her."

She is out of the Trappe Shot mare Gun Club, dam of stakes placed My Magic Wand. Grade 1 winners Behrens, Cogburn, and Commentator appear on the catalogue page.

Four additional yearlings sold for $300,000 each to round out the top prices. In chronological order:

--Ryan stretched to the price for a filly from the first crop of the two-time Eclipse Award champion sprinter Elite Power (hip 329), saying he was purchasing her on behalf of Christine and Phil Hatfield’s CHP Racing. The chestnut filly was bred by Dr. Lance Bell and Bradley B. Browne, and was consigned by Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa, as agent. She is out of the winning Malibu Moon mare Fast Retailing, dam of Grade 3 winner Speed Shopper. Fast Retailing is a half sister to Grade 1 winner Power Broker and stakes winner Fierce Boots, as well as to stakes placed Smart Shopping, dam of Preakness Stakes winner Seize the Grey.

--Matching the $300,000 price later in the session was a Vekoma colt (hip 386), purchased by the partnership of CHC Inc, the moniker for China Horse Club; the WinStar Farm-affiliated Maverick Racing; and First Go Racing. The chestnut colt, bred by Rhapsody Farm, was consigned by Gainesway, as agent. He is out of the Trappe Shot mare Kathryn's Sky, a full sister to Grade 1 placed My Man Sam, and a half sister to Norwegian Grade 3 winner Hakam and stakes placed Oiseau de Guerre.

--A colt from the first crop of turf champion Up to the Mark (hip 393) was purchased by Scanlon Training and Sales, with Blake-Albina Thoroughbred Services, as agent, for breeder Newtownanner Stud Farm. The colt is out of the winning Malibu Moon mare La Croix Valmer, whose first starter was a winner. The mare is a full sister to stakes winner Moon de French.

Over the course of the first session, 63 yearlings sold for $7,622,000. The average price for Sunday night was $120,984 and the median was $100,000. The RNA rate was 20.2%.

“Excellent opening session of the 2026 New York Bred Sale,” Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning said. “Statistically, right on par with the overall sale last year, which is a record-breaking sale. Literally good activity from the first horse in the ring to the last horse in the ring. I think we saw very good activity on the sales grounds, since some of the express lanes even started on Thursday afternoon. Look forward to a continued strong session tomorrow, and the market is continuing to be very, very healthy.”

Full sale results are available online. The New York Bred Yearlings sale continues with its second and final session Monday at 12 PM on a dark day at nearby Saratoga Race Course.