Stay Thirsty Colt Tops California Fall Yearlings Sale

The 2024 Fasig-Tipton California Fall Yearlings sale took place Tuesday at Fairplex in Pomona, California, grossing $4,781,400 for 163 yearlings sold.

A colt by California’s leading sire Stay Thirsty topped the sale when sold for $250,000 to John Moroney. Consigned as Hip 96 by Lovacres Ranch, agent, the dark bay or brown colt is out of the multiple stakes winning Ghostzapper mare My Fiona, making him a full brother to stakes winner and Grade 1 stakes placed Finneus and a half-brother to stakes winning Fi Fi Pharoah (American Pharoah). Hip 96 was bred in California by Terry C. Lovingier.

“There were certainly some bright spots,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. “It was similar and consistent to what we have seen in recent years in the California marketplace.”

A pair of fillies sold for $200,000 to round out the top three offerings of the day:

• A McKinzie filly (Hip 180), sold to Blinkers On Racing Stable from the consignment of Barton Thoroughbreds, agent. The bay filly is out of the winning Tapit mare Tap Tap Ur It, making her a half-sister to four winners, including stakes winner Tap Back (Einstein-BRZ) and stakes placed Cholly (Mo Town). Hip 180 was bred in California by Richard Barton Enterprises.
• A Yaupon filly (Hip 227), sold to Legacy Ranch from the consignment of Barton Thoroughbreds, agent. The bay filly is the first foal out of the Into Mischief mare Bahama Mischief, from the immediate family of Grade 2 winner and multiple graded stakes winner Summer Wind Dancer. Hip 227 was bred in California by Richard Barton Enterprises.

“All things considered, it was a productive exercise,” added Browning, referring to the uncertainties in California’s racing industry. "The vast majority of the horses sold and there will be brisk post-sale activity tonight and tomorrow.”

Overall, 163 yearlings sold for $4,781,400, good for an average of $29,334. The median was $15,000.

Full results are available online.