Bullish California Fall Sale Posts Significant Gains

The third edition of Fasig-Tipton's California Fall Yearlings & Horses of All Ages sale marked a jubilant return to the California market Tuesday at Fairplex in Pomona, CA. Held as a yearling sale in 2019 and 2020, the 2021 renewal included 21 mares and weanlings among the 272 head catalogued. Tuesday's bullish session resulted in across-the-board gains over the sale's first two editions, soundly confirming its placing in the California market.

A filly by 2021 Hall of Fame inductee American Pharoah topped the sale when sold for $350,000 to Beckerle & Grey from the consignment of Lovacres Ranch, agent (video). Offered as Hip 196, the chestnut filly is out of EZ Indy (A.P. Indy), an unraced half-sister to champion filly Banshee Breeze and stakes winner Unbridled Wind. EZ Indy is also a half-sister to the dams of multiple Grade 2 winner American Anthem and stakes winner Whirl. Hip 196 was bred in California by Terry C. Lovingier.

Current #2 first-crop sire Practical Joke was well represented when a filly from his second crop sold for $300,000 early in the sale (video). Brian Koriner, agent for Jay Em Ess Stable, purchased Hip 10 from the consignment of Barton Thoroughbreds, agent. The filly is out of Miss Lavinia (Speightstown), whose four winners to date include stakes placed Arch Cat (Arch), a 15-time winner of more than $450,000 to date. Miss Lavinia is a half-sister to Breeders' Cup champion and stakes winner producer More Than Real, and to the dam of Breeders' Cup champion Structor. Hip 10 was bred in California by Richard Barton Enterprises.

Last year's Champion Freshman Sire Nyquist was responsible for the sale's top colt, purchased for $275,000 by Sausalito Partners (video). Offered as Hip 83 by Woodbridge Farm, agent, the colt is a half-brother to three winners from as many to race, including There Goes Harvard (Will Take Charge), who was recently second in the Ellis Park Derby. Hip 83 is out of the winning Fusaichi Pegasus mare Soul Crusader, a half-half sister to two full stakes winners and to the dams of Grade 1 winner Killer Graces; Grade 2 winner Chocolate Ride; and multiple stakes winner Mrs. Orb. The colt was bred in California by Bud Petrosian.

Rounding out the top four was Hip 171, a colt from the first crop of Breeders' Cup Champion City of Light, purchased for $260,000 by Slugo Racing/Steve Gasparelli. Consigned by Excel Bloodstock (Bruno DeBerdt), the colt is out of the winning Cherokee Run mare Chicalelee, a half-sister to multiple stakes winner O K to Dance and a full sister to stakes winner Running Bride. Hip 171 hails from the immediate family of multiple Grade 1 winner Devil His Due and was bred in California by PT Syndicate #1.

The top-priced yearling by a California-based sire came in the form of Hip 30, a colt by pensioned California stalwart Square Eddie. Boomer Bloodstock and Radley Equine purchase the colt for $200,000 from the consignment of Fairview. The colt is out of stakes winner North Freeway (Jump Start). That mare has produced four winners to date, including Grade 1 placed multiple stakes winner Take the One O One (Acclamation) and stakes winner Square Deal, a full brother to Hip 30. The bay colt was bred in California by Thomas W. Bachman.

Of the breeding stock offered, a weanling colt from the first crop of champion Mitole (Hip 267) sold best, bringing $80,000 Blair and Rachel Bloodstock. Hip 267 was consigned by Checkmate Thoroughbreds (Adrian Gonzalez), agent, and bred in Kentucky by Lou Neve out of the winning Arch mare Raving About You.

The top-priced broodmare was Oh Pretty Woman (Hip 249), purchased for $50,000 by Donald Valpredo from the consignment of Harris Farms, agent. A six-year-old winning daughter of Scat Daddy, Oh Pretty Woman is in foal to Street Boss, carrying her first foal. The young mare is out of a full sister to multiple Grade 2 winner Liberian Freighter, from the immediate family of Grade 1 winners Memories of Silver and Winter Memories.

In its third year, the California fall sale eclipsed the 2019 and 2020 editions in every category. Overall, 177 horses changed hands for a gross of $6,933,550, up 85.6% from $3,735,700 in 2020. The average rose 74.1% to $39,173 from $22,504, while the median doubled to $20,000. Seventeen horses sold for $100,000 or more, nearly six times the three sold for six figures in 2020. The RNA rate was 24.4%.

Full results are available online.