3 minute read
Solid trade with figures slightly down on 2019 renewal
A colt by Ashford Stud's Uncle Mo (Indian Charlie) topped the opening day of the Saratoga Select Yearling Sale on Monday when bought by West Bloodstock, as agent for Robert and Lawana Low, for US$1,600,000.
Sold by Stone Farm as agent, the colt is out of Grade One winning Bernardini (A P Indy) mare Dame Dorothy who has already produced Grade Three winning filly Spice Is Nice (Curlin), who is raced by Robert and Lawana Low and trained by Todd Pletcher.
Bred by Bobby Flay, the colt, who was catalogued as Lot 73, was the only lot to sell for seven figures.
"He's by Uncle Mo, an incredible stallion, out of a grade-1 winning mare on the dirt that's fast; she's a proven producer," said Jacob West of West Bloodstock.
"The mare is throwing runners, so we couldn't be happier to get him."
Uncle Mo had six yearlings sell on Monday evening for US$3,635,000 at an average of US$605,833.
The most expensive filly was a daughter of Gainesway Farm's Tapit (Pulpit) who was bought by West Point Thoroughbreds, Scarlet Oak Racing and NBS Stable for US$990,000.
Sold by Denali Stud as Lot 61, the filly is out stakes placed Dixie Union (Dixieland Band) mare Checkupfromzneckup.
A total of 13 lots sold for US$500,000 or more.
During Monday's opening session 70 of the 96 lots offered sold for a clearance rate of 73 per cent and a total of US$25,280,000. The 2020 renewal was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic and this year's aggregate, with 15 per cent more yearlings sold, was up 11 per cent from the US$22,775,000 recorded on the opening day of the 2019 sale when 61 lots sold.
The average of US$361,143 was down three per cent from US$373,361 in 2019 and the median was US$300,000, down five per cent from SU$315,000 two years ago.
"Very solid, I think, would be the best description," said Boyd Browning, president and CEO of Fasig-Tipton.
"It wasn't spectacular, but I don't think anybody expected any dramatic, breakout, across-the-board changes.
"There was certainly a very healthy market, very similar, reminiscent of the 2019 marketplace. So all-in-all, we're off to a very good start and it provides a lot of confidence for tomorrow night and moving forward in the 2021 sales season."
The second and final session of the sale will be held in Saratoga Springs on Tuesday evening.
The stage is set... The 100th Saratoga Sale begins TODAY at 6:30 PM! #FasigSaratoga100 pic.twitter.com/1WKWt4zCR1
— Fasig-Tipton (@FasigTiptonCo) August 9, 2021
