NEWS
Fasig-Tipton Ky. winter mixed sale set for Monday
Posted: Sunday, February 07, 2010 11:57 AM
by Pete Denk
As tough as the commercial market has been during the previous 14 months—and it has been especially rough on mid-to-low level mares—there is a hint of positivity in the air leading up to the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky winter mixed sale, which begins Monday at 10 a.m. EST in Lexington.
Most of that optimism is based on the quality of the catalog, which is clearly an improvement compared with the 2009 version, in addition to being 10.1% larger at 337 horses. Last year’s sale suffered a 42.8% drop in average price ($11,616) from 2008.
Considered a regional sale, the Kentucky winter mixed market provides a chance for horse trading just before breeding season and the two-year-old sales begin.
“I think there are some horses in this sale who have some real appeal,” Fasig-Tipton Co. President Boyd Browning said. “There are three mares in foal to Medaglia d’Oro, and there are some nice racing and broodmare prospects. Plus, we all know everyone likes to shop for a good short yearling.
“That being said, it’s an open sale. We catalog the horses that are entered. Fortunately, we believe we’ve got better quality than last year.”
Racing or broodmare prospects that figure to be at the top of the sale include stakes winners Rate of Exchange, a five-year-old Exchange Rate mare out of Hannah’s Ink, by Pentelicus; and Julia Tuttle, a five-year-old Giant’s Causeway mare out of the Ride the Rails mare Candy Cane (Arg), a full sister to Grade 1 winner and sire Candy Ride (Arg).
Broodmare prospect Lavender Sky, a six-year-old Mt. Livermore mare out of the Nijinsky II mare Munnaya is another who should stand out.
Three mares cataloged in foal to Medaglia d’Oro will attract attention on their covering sire alone. Rgirldoesn’tbluff, a seven-year-old Pine Bluff mare out of Chasing Wind, by Mining, already delivered her Medaglia d’Oro filly.
“She was born the Sunday before the Keeneland January [horses of all ages] sale,” said consignor Adrian Regan of Hunter Valley Farm, agent. “She’s a very good-looking mare and this is her first foal. The fact it’s a Medaglia d’Oro filly, and quite a good one, is a nice way to start her out. And in this case, it’s not a bad thing for the buyer to get to see the merchandise.”
Rgirldoesn’tbluff was listed as sold for $350,000 to Valley Farms at the 2009 Keeneland November breeding stock sale.
Another mare who went through the ring last fall only to be reoffered at the Fasig-Tipton winter mixed sale is Lucky Flyer, a five-year-old Fusaichi Pegasus mare out of Beautiful Crazy, by Capote. In foal to Medaglia d’Oro, she was a late addition to the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic winter mixed sale in December and was bought back for $120,000.
Consignor Rick Abbott of Charlton, agent, said he believes the deeper buying base in Kentucky should lead to a sale this time around.
“I think anytime your horse isn’t in the main body of the catalog, you’re fighting an uphill battle to get people to know she’s there,” Abbott said. “She’s a really lovely looking mare. She raced last spring, broke her maiden on April 15, and then they decided to breed her. She has a late cover date because she was racing, but they bred her one time and she caught.”
The third mare in foal to Medaglia d’Oro is Royal Parade, a nine-year-old Saint Ballado mare out of Deputy Royal, by Deputy Minister. Bluewater Sales, agent, consigns.
To view an online catalog, click here.
Pete Denk is sales editor for Thoroughbred Times
