Classic Empire Colt Tops Opening Session of Midlantic Fall Yearlings

The first session of 2023 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Fall Yearlings sale was held the afternoon of Monday, October 2, at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium, Maryland. The session’s top 10 hips included yearlings bred in six states, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, and New York.

A colt by Classic Empire (Hip 3) topped the opening session when sold early for $135,000 to LC Racing LLC from the consignment of Gracie Bloodstock, agent (video). Out of the unraced Ghostzapper mare Adorabella, the bay colt is a half-brother to two stakes winners from two to race, including multiple stakes winner Girl Trouble (Fast Anna) and Book’em Danno (Bucchero), undefeated winner of the Smoke Glacken S. at Monmouth this year at 2. Hip 3 was bred in New Jersey by Gregory J. Kilka & Bright View Farm.

LC Racing also purchased the session’s second highest-priced offering, a $130,000 colt by current leading first-crop sire Maximus Mischief (Hip 116) consigned by Marshall W. Silverman, agent. The bay colt is the second foal out of the winning Flatter mare Flatter’s Secret, whose first foal Uncle Gary (Uncle Lino) was a multiple winner last year at 3. From the immediate family of Irish champion and Group 1 winner Dark Lomond (IRE), Hip 116 was bred in Pennsylvania by Dr. & Mrs. William E. Riddle Jr.

Rounding out Monday’s top hips were:

• A colt by Street Sense (Hip 54) out of Capulus, sold for $112,000 to Stephen Barberino from the consignment of Blake-Albina Thoroughbred Services, agent. The dark bay or brown colt is out of an unraced Tapit half-sister to this year’s Select S. winner Eamonn from the immediate family of Horse of the Year Festival of Light and champions Althea and Yamanin Paradise. Hip 54 was bred in Kentucky by Newtownanner Stud.
• A colt from the first crop of Honor A. P. (Hip 120) out of Flit, sold for $87,000 to Hillwood Stables from the consignment of Dark Hollow Farm. The dark bay or brown colt is a half-brother to winner Betcha by Golly (Tapizar) out of a Not For Love half-sister to multiple stakes winners O Dionysys and Joy, from the immediate family of champion Safely Kept. Hip 120 was bred in Maryland by the consignor.
• A filly from the second crop of Omaha Beach (Hip 113) out of Fifteen Moons, sold for $80,000 to C F Bloodstock from the consignment of Bill Reightler, agent for Country Life Farm & Partners. The bay filly is a half-sister to five winners from six to race out of a Malibu Moon half-sister to Grade 1 winner and producer Hookedonthefeelin, including multiple graded stakes placed stakes winner Mayla (Sharp Humor).  Hip 113 was bred in Maryland by Country Life Farm & Fifteen Moons LLC.

During the opening session, 91 yearlings sold for $2,212,500, good for an average of $24,313. The median was $11,500 and the RNA rate was 19%.

Results are available online.

The Midlantic Fall Yearlings sale resumes Tuesday, October 3, at 11am.