'Fantastic' July Sale Exceeds Expectations, Ties Record for Median

Tuesday, July 9, 2024

maclean's music colt sold for $500,000
Fasig-Tipton Photo

Fasig-Tipton's July Sale of selected yearlings was held Tuesday at the company's Newtown Paddocks in Lexington, Kentucky. The catalogue featured precocious, athletic yearlings, including a vanguard by first-crop sires in the Freshman Sire Showcase.

"This was a fantastic start to the yearling sales season," said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. "The first horse in the ring brought over $200,000 and that helped set the tone for the rest of the day."

A colt by Maclean's Music (hip 170) topped the single-session sale when sold for $500,000 to John Stewart's Resolute Racing (video). Gainesway consigned the Florida-bred on behalf of breeder Bridlewood Farm. The chestnut colt is the second foal out of Jotown (Speightstown), whose first foal, two-year-old Spiralizer (Twirling Candy) broke its maiden on debut after the catalogue was published. Hip 170 hails from the immediate family of Grade 1 winner A Z Warrior, from the immediate family of graded stakes winners Jojo Warrior, E Z Warrior, and Unspurned.

"He was one of the top five colts that we came here to buy," said Stewart of his sale-topping purchase.

Rounding out the type five sold were:

  • A colt by Uncle Mo (hip 135), sold for $400,000 to Mayberry Farm from the consignment of Funny Farm KY (video). The bay colt is out of stakes placed Conquest Superstep (Super Saver), a full sister to Inside Straight, who already has three winners from as many starters. Hip 135 was bred in Kentucky by Meg Dumaine.
  • A colt by Justify (hip 168), sold for $400,000 to Golden Star Farm from the consignment of Gainesway, agent (video). The chestnut colt is a half-brother to a winner out of Indygita (Indygo Shiner), from the immediate family of Grade 1 winners Crowded House (GB), Ticker Tape (GB), and Brando. Hip 168 was bred in Kentucky by Thoro-Bred Stables.
  • A colt by Vekoma (hip 234), sold for $350,000 to CHC Inc., Siena Farm, and Maverick Racing from the consignment of Lane's End, agent. Vekoma currently leads first-crop sires with 10 winners and by progeny earnings. Hip 234 is out of the Scat Daddy mare Scamper, who has four winners from as many to race, including stakes winner Alogon (California Chrome). The chestnut colt was bred in Florida by H & E Ranch.
  • A filly by successful young sire Not This Time (hip 199), sold for $320,000 to Flying Dutchmen from the consignment of Blandford Stud, agent. The bay filly is the second foal out of unraced Mo Champagne (Uncle Mo), a half-sister to Grade 1 winners Majestic Harbor and Danza, and to the dam of graded stakes winners Totally Boss and Super Steed. Hip 199 was bred in Kentucky by Killora Stud.

"I think The July Sale clearly exceeded our expectations," added Browning. "It was a healthy market today… I think this sale gave everybody confidence heading into the remainder of the yearling sales season."

This year's sale featured a renewal of The Freshman Sire Showcase (Hips 1-88), a curated selection of yearlings by first-crop sires. Of those, a colt by Spendthrift Farm's Yaupon led the way when sold for $285,000 to De Meric Sales (video). Offered as hip 82 by Ballysax Bloodstock, agent, the colt is the first foal out of Twitterpated, a full sister to Grade 1 winner Stormy Lucy. Hip 82 was bred in Kentucky by Richard Bremer & Cheryl Sprick.

Overall, 154 yearlings sold for $17,319,000. The average was $112,461, up 14% from $98,724 last year. The median rose 17% to $90,000 from $77,000 in 2023. The median tied a sale record established in 2006 and matched in 2022.

Full results are available online.