Topped by a Curlin   colt making his second foray through the sales ring this year, Fasig-Tipton Kentucky’s October yearling sale got off on a positive note Oct. 24, with a slight uptick in average price and an improved buy-back rate.

With competitive bidding from a deep buying bench on another splendid fall day in the Bluegrass, Fasig-Tipton reported 246 head sold for gross receipts of $8,306,400 compared with Day 1 a year ago when 204 were sold for $6,694,300.

The average price of $33,766 was up 2.9% over the $32,815 during the first of four sessions a year ago. This year’s sale has been trimmed to three days.

The Oct. 24 median price of $12,750 was down slightly from the $15,000 median in 2015 and the 95 horses that did not sell represented an RNA rate of 27.9%. Last year’s opening session buy-back rate was 35% as 110 of the 314 through the ring went unsold.

“It was a solid start to the sale,” said Fasig-Tipton president and CEO Boyd Browning Jr. “I thought overall it was a very positive day. There was significant competition for what were perceived to be the better offerings.”

Unlike the experience at so many of the previous yearling sales this year, there was more trade at the lower price ranges Monday.

“Probably the most encouraging sign was there was bidding and activity at the lower level,” Browning said. “Even at the less-than-$10,000 range there was commerce that was conducted today that was more encouraging than we’ve seen in the last few years.”

Browning said the lower-tiered trades was a key factor in the improvement in the RNA rate but probably brought the average and median prices down a bit.

“At the end of the day we are here to get as many horses sold as we can and it was a very fair marketplace throughout the day,” Browning said.

As the final sale of the yearling auction season, the October sale has grown in stature over the last seven or eight years, with some agents and end-users targeting it and more consignors pointing specific horses at October, Browning said.

The session-topper, at $350,000, had gone unsold at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling sale on a final bid of $275,000 but was brought back to the October sale by his consignors Tom VanMeter and Olin Gentry.

Purchased by Florida pinhookers Joe Minor and Justin Casse, the colt will be pointed toward a 2-year-old in-training sale next year through Ciaran Dunne’s Wavertree Stables operation.

Minor, who operates JSM Equine, said he had seen the colt at Saratoga but did not bid on him then.

“We liked him there and liked him better today,” Minor said. “I think he’s a stunning horse who looks the part. I think he will make a great 2-year-old.”

VanMeter said the colt had some minor issues when he was at Saratoga, but they were taken care of before Monday’s sale and that the final price was well above the reserve.

“We were always hopeful he would sell well and he did,” VanMeter said.

The colt was produced from Party Chatter, a 19-year-old daughter of Pleasant Colony who is a full sister to stakes winners Colonial U. S., Silver Fox, and Pleasant Feeling.

Sharing co-second-highest price of $300,000 were a Malibu Moon   filly bought by Rick Porter’s Fox Hill Farm and a Medaglia d’Oro   colt acquired by Alex and Jo Ann Lieblong.

Consigned as Hip 144 by Brookdale Sales, the Malibu Moon filly was bred in Kentucky by Godolphin was produced from the grade I-winningUnbridled’s Song mare Magnificent Song.

Victoria Keith signed the sales receipt on behalf of Fox Hill’s agent Tom McGreevy, who selected the filly. Trainer Larry Jones also signed off on the purchase after he saw her.

“She is an excellent physical and has a nice pedigree,” said Keith, adding that the purchase price was at “our ceiling.”

Keith jokingly noted that Porter was in a buying mood as a result of the success of his champion filly Songbird.

“Rick’s feeling pretty good with Songbird, so Rick feels like shopping,” Keith said.

Brookdale Sales’ Joe Seitz said he was not surprised with the filly’s price.

“She was such a gorgeous individual she looked like a sculpture,” Seitz said. “She was in a perfect place and she stuck out. We knew she would sell for significantly higher than the reserve and that was a great price.”

The Medaglia d’Oro colt, consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency on behalf of Blue Heaven Farm, is out of the grade I-winning Game Plan mare Mistical Plan.

“He looked the part,” said Lieblong, adding that he had seen the races of his half brother, Big Gray Rocket, a promising Tapit   colt trained by Bob Baffert.

fonte: Bloodhorse.com

 

Frankel: champion of champions is now making waves as a stallion

 PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Offspring of a champion: the best of the Frankels

Frankel was a superstar during his an unforgettable and unbeaten racing career and he has clearly passed on some of his prodigious talent to his offspring. After a hugely successful first season as a stallion we look at the best of his juveniles to hit the track – and some that are still to be unleashed….

Queen Kindly - Richard Fahey

This season’s Lowther winner is the top-earning Frankel juvenile so far with over £138,000 banked and she showed bags of progress through her first four starts culminating in the York win.

The Lowther form has stood up well, and although Queen Kindly was unable to confirm the form with Roly Poly in the Cheveley Park, when a below-par fourth, she still rates an exciting prospect.

Her stamina looks suspect for the Qipco 1,000 Guineas, for which she is 20-1, and she may prove best as a sprinter.

Seven Heavens - John Gosden

Two from two before taking a big hike in class for the Dewhurst, this colt has inherited some of his dad’s headstrong tendencies as he was far too free at Newmarket and compromised any chance he had in that Group 1.

He can be backed at 25-1 for the Qipco 2,0oo Guineas and it would be nice to see him in a trial first, but he should have the stamina for the Classic and the dam, Heaven Sent, improved with age.

Cracksman - John Gosden

A winner on debut at Newmarket over a mile in what could prove a decent maiden, this colt impressed many with his willing attitude, and is one to keep a close eye on next year.

He is considered a 1m2f horse for next season by Gosden so the 2,000 Guineas may be too sharp, but the Derby, for which he can be backed at 33-1, could be an option. A return to Newmarket for a conditions race next April has already been mentioned as starting point for his three-year-old campaign.

Swiss Storm - David Elsworth

Sent off at odds-on for his debut at Haydock, this colt was too green and finished seventh. He was a different proposition next time out and won cosily at Newbury.

The Racing Post Trophy was under consideration following that victory, but connections swerved the Group 1. He is one to take note of and has an entry for the Irish 2,000 Guineas.

Ambrosia - Roger Varian

This filly made her debut earlier in the month, and while only sixth, shaped with lots of promise. A slow start compromised her chances somewhat, but she stayed on nicely in the straight under hands and heels.

She could be seen later this week at Newmarket, and has a stack of Pattern performers in her pedigree. She should prove smart.

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And three who have yet to appear…

Elyaasaat - William Haggas

Another who could be seen this week at Newmarket, this colt has a cracking pedigree, and his trainer has hopes he could be one to be excited about next year.

Erdogan - John Gosden

If you wanted a dream pairing in the breeding sheds, Frankel by multiple Group 1 winner Dar Re Mi would be close to the top of this list, and this colt will cause a buzz whenever he makes his debut.

He cost 750,000 guineas, is owned by Al Shaqab Racing and is one to set a reminder for when his debut comes around.

La Figlia - Jeremy Noseda

Like Erdogan, this filly has a bloodline to die for as her mum is the 2007 1,000 Guineas winner Finsceal Beo.

She fetched €1.8 million at the sales and big things will be expected.

fonte : RacingPost