With concerns about the struggling economy still very much on everyone’s minds, interested parties approached this year’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred preferred yearling sale with a certain amount of apprehension.

Interpretation of the results from the first night of the two-night sale on Aug. 9 depend on which index one chooses to focus on. On the positive side, the average sale price jumped to $62,979, an increase of 19.4% over the $52,737 opening-night figure for 2007. Median price also rose significantly, from $37,000 to $52,000. Gross sales fell slightly to $2,960,000 from last year’s $3,006,000.

On the down side, more than half of the horses that were led into the ring — 52 of 99, or 52.5% — failed to meet their reserves. Last year’s buy-back rate was 43.6%.

“The top was as good as it has ever been,” said Fasig-Tipton president Walt Robertson, speaking of the session as a whole. “We sold seven horses for over $100,000. But below $50,000, it was a pretty tough sell. That’s the way it was in Kentucky [in July.]”

The session-topper was Hip No. 274, a son of Exchange Rate out of Star One One, by Caller I. D, that sold for $250,000. The bay colt was consigned by McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds as agent, and was purchased by Buzz Chace, agent for West Point Thoroughbreds.

“He’s a beautiful horse,” said Joe McMahon of McMahon of Saratoga. “He did everything right the whole time he was here. He’s a very bright horse, very attractive, very well-balanced and correct. When the stars all line up, there’s plenty of money for the right horse.”

The second-highest seller was Hip No. 222, a daughter of Songandaprayer out of the Known Fact mare Naughty Natisha. The Denali Stud-consigned filly — a half-sister to multiple New York (and grade III) stakes winner Naughty New Yorker — was purchased by agent Debbie Easter.

Denali led all consignors on the first night, selling 13 of 16 horses offered for a gross of $991,000 and an average of $76,230.

The session-topping Exchange Rate colt was the only one of nine McMahon of Saratoga-yearlings Saturday that found a new owner. The other eight all failed to meet their reserve.

“I don’t understand why these New York-breds aren’t more saleable,” said Joe McMahon. “They’ve proven time and time again that they’re good financial investments. Purses in New York are huge, and now there’s a real good possibility of getting VLTs. Why there’s such a drop-off in the market tonight is a little perplexing to me.”

“The last two sales — tonight and the July sale — we knew it was going to be pretty tough below $30,000,” said Robertson. “We hope it gets better as we go down the pike, but right now I think the economy is having an effect on that segment of the market.”

The Saratoga preferred sale concludes Aug. 10, with the first horse scheduled to be brought into the ring at 7 p.m.
(Source: The Blood-Horse)

Release

A filly by Australian Champion sire Redoute’s Choice is to be sold at Book 1 of the forthcoming Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, sponsored by Betfair, which takes place from Tuesday 7th October to Thursday 9th October.

The January foaled filly is out of the Group 2 winning Rory’s Jester mare Catnipped and will be the first yearling by the Arrowfield based stallion to be offered in the Northern Hemisphere. The half or three parts sister to four winners, including Danehill’s Stakes-placed son Fangio, will be consigned from Lord and Lady Lloyd-Webber’s Watership Down Stud on behalf of her breeder Carl Holt.

Commenting on the filly, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony said, “Redoute’s Choice is a world class sire and she is a lovely filly so it is exciting to have the first Redoute’s Choice yearling ever to be offered outside Australia or New Zealand.”

Arrowfield Stud Managing Director John Messara added; “We are privileged to stand a stallion of the calibre of Redoute’s Choice at Arrowfield and it is appropriate that his first yearling to be offered outside Australasia will be sold at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale which is Europe’s premier yearling sale. This yearling resulted from the first year of Redoute’s Choice’s Northern Hemisphere matings in Australia. The first Redoute’s Choice foal to be sold outside Australia or New Zealand was offered recently at the JRHA Select Foal Sale in Japan and was very well received so we look forward to another successful result at Tattersalls in October.”

The catalogue for Book 1 of the October Yearling Sale can now be viewed online at www.tattersalls.com.

The catalog for Barretts Equine Ltd.’s fall selected yearling sale, which features 235 horses, is now available online.

The auction, co-sponsored by the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association, will take place September 30 at the Hinds Pavilion at Fairplex Park in Pomona, California, beginning at 11 a.m. PDT.

Photographs of yearlings in the sale catalog will be posted online after September 5.

Among the stallions represented in the sale catalog are Belong to Me, Benchmark, Bertrando, Bring the Heat, Chapel Royal, Cuvee, Dixie Union, E Dubai, El Corredor, Five Star Day, Grand Reward, Harlan’s Holiday, Holy Bull, Include, Indian Charlie, In Excess (Ire), Johannesburg, Macho Uno, Marino Marini, Medaglia d’Oro, Mizzen Mast, Momentum, Old Topper, Orientate, Pollard’s Vision, Powerscourt (GB), Proud Citizen, Pure Prize, Roar, Roman Ruler, Sky Mesa, Speightstown, Stormy Atlantic, Swiss Yodeler, Taste of Paradise, Toccet, Touch Gold, Tribal Rule, Trippi, Two Punch, Unusual Heat, Van Nistelrooy, and Yonaguska.

Recent winners from the sale include Las Virgenes Stakes (G1) winner Golden Doc A and Hollywood Oaks (G2) winner Lethal Heat.
(Source: Thoroughbred Times)

Release

The South Island took centre stage today with strong results recorded at New Zealand Bloodstock’s annual South Island Sale of Two-Year-Olds and Mixed Bloodstock at the Canterbury Agricultural Park in Christchurch.

Significant growth was evident with this year’s two-year-old average reaching NZ$16,215 compared to last year’s NZ$14,430. Even more pleasing was a staggering 41% increase in the median price to NZ$12,000, up from NZ$8,500 last year.

The unique Sale of untried two-year-olds also featured yearlings, broodmares, unraced stock and racehorses. The highest priced lot of the Sale was the stakes-placed racemare Royal Ambition. The five-year-old is by Royal Academy and out of Group 1 New Zealand One Thousand Guineas runner-up, Ambitious (Last Tycoon). On account of Chelandry Farm she was knocked down to Colm Santry Bloodstock for NZ$140,000. She is to be bred to Coolmore’s first season sire and champion racehorse Dylan Thomas.

The top price from the two-year-old section came early in the day at Lot 7. Leading Australian bloodstock agent John Foote bid to NZ$82,500 to secure the Pentire colt from the Personal Escort mare Grace the Bride. He’s from the family of Group 1 Wellington Cup winner Hurrah and outstanding Hong Kong galloper Best Gift. He was sold by Ashburton-based vendors Robert and Jessica Thomas

All sessions combined to give total receipts of NZ$2,115,700 for 142 lots sold compared to last year’s total of NZ$1,572,250 for 126 lots sold. The overall average price increased to NZ$14,899 with the clearance rate settling at 70%. As with the two-year-old section, the median showed a healthy increase, in this case from NZ$7,000 to NZ$10,000.

Edwina Morris and Alan Jones’ Berkley Stud was the leading vendor for the day, selling 23 of their 30 lots for an aggregate of NZ$414,000 and an average price of NZ$18,000. The highlight of their draft being Lot 161, an impressive chestnut Bertolini colt who sold to New Zealand Bloodstock as agent for NZ$80,000.

General Manager Andrew Seabrook commented on the day’s proceedings saying “In light of the downturn in the economy it was very pleasing to see the market hold up extremely well. We were thrilled with the international buying bench and it was great to see the domestic spend increase again. The success of this Sale augurs well for the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka on November 18 & 19.”
www.nzb.co.nz

The 2008 Goffs Million & Sportsman’s Sale catalogues are now available online. This year’s Million catalogue feature 657 yearlings that are exclusively eligible for the richest two year old races in Europe, the Goffs Millions, with a prize fund of €3,200,000.

The three-day Million Sale will commence on Monday 29th September, the day after the Goffs Millions are run at the Curragh, and will be followed by the one day Sportsman’s Yearling Sale.

The launch of the catalogue follows a solid season for Million graduates. New Approach delivered on the promise shown as World Champion Two Year Old with victory in the Group 1 Vodafone Derby, while Halfway To Heaven followed in Million filly Finsceal Beo’s footsteps by landing the Group 1 Irish 1000 Guineas. She followed this with victory in the Group 1 Nassau Stakes at Goodwood, just beating Goffs Fillies Million and Group 1 Coronation Stakes winner Lush Lashes.

Million graduate Daytona scored a Grade 1 double in the US, the sixth graded win of his career, while 2006 Breeders’ Cup Turf winner and Goffs yearling graduate Red Rocks landed the Group 1 Man O’War Stakes at Belmont. Group winners Major Cadeaux, Caribbean Sunset, Regime, Marjalina, and Royal And Regal are also graduates of Goffs Million Sale. The 2007 Million sale has so far produced over 30 individual two year old winners.

The catalogue includes a half brother to the Group 1 Irish Derby winner and Goffs graduate Frozen Fire (Lot 571) as well as a half sister to Group 1 Golden Jubilee Stakes and Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes winner Kingsgate Native (Lot 92). A half sister to Group 1 Falmouth Stakes winner Nahoodh (Lot 53) should also attract plenty of interest.

Staffordstown Stud provided the highlight of the 2007 Million Sale with the €2.4m record breaking filly and is sure to feature amongst the top lots again this year with their Selkirk half brother to last year’s sale topper out of Albanova (Lot 370).

Amongst the many other notable lots are Moyglare Stud’s Pivotal colt out of Group 1 Matriarch Stakes winner Dress To Thrill (Lot 533); a daughter of Galileo out of Group 1 Prix de Diane winner Caerlina (Lot 443), a Shamardal half brother to Group 1 Irish Derby winner Desert King (Lot 202), and a Danehill Dancer half brother to American Grade 1 winner Luas Line (Lot 279).

Some of the world’s leading sires are represented including yearlings by Dalakhani, Danehill Dancer, Dansili, Elusive Quality, Galileo, Giant’s Causeway, Green Desert, Invincible Spirit, Montjeu, Nayef, Oasis Dream, Pivotal, Rahy, Rock of Gibraltar and Sadler’s Wells, as well as up and coming and emerging sires such as Acclamation, Azamour, Dubawi, Footstepsinthesand, Motivator, Oratorio and Whipper.

Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes and inaugural Million winner Miss Beatrix has a full brother catalogued this year (Lot 58), while Goffs Colts Million winner Luck Money who was also Group 2 placed and last week won his first race for Champion American trainer Todd Pletcher at Saratoga also has a full brother in the sale (Lot 536).

Goffs Sportsman’s Sale catalogue is also now available online and features quality yearlings by such sires as Acclamation, Azamour, Bahamian Bounty,Bertolini, Clodovil, Dansili, Exceed And Excel, Footstepsinthesand, Indian Ridge, Invincible Spirit, One Cool Cat, Oratorio, Rock of Gibraltar, Royal Applause, Shamardal and Whipper.

Fleeting Spirit, winner of the Group 2 Temple Stakes this season and the Group 2 Flying Childers and Group 3 Molecomb Stakes as a two year old, cost just €35,000 at the Sportsman’s sale and exemplifies the quality and value on offer at this sale. As does Knavesmire who cost just €10,000 last year and went on to win the Listed Hilary Needler Trophy in May.

Commenting on the quality of the Million & Sportsman’s catalogue, Goffs Group Chief Executive Henry Beeby said, “2008 has been a dream year for Goffs graduates. Goffs have sold the winners of 8 Group 1 races, including Derbys on both sides of the Irish Sea, as well as the Irish 1000 Guineas and a host of Group 1 victories at Royal Ascot, Goodwood, York and in the US whilst the Goffs Group sold more Royal Ascot winners than any other sales company.

“We are confident that this year’s Million and Sportsman’s catalogues are as good, if not better, than ever as our vendors have provided us with a truly excellent bunch of future champions. This is the first year I have been involved in inspecting Million yearlings and I have been delighted with the quality. I am convinced that potential purchasers will be impressed.

“The Goffs dream is unique. Only at our Million Sale can you win Europe’s Richest Races for Two Year Olds, the two Goffs Million races, which offer an unrivalled €1 million to each winner. The only way to win this jackpot is to buy from this catalogue – and you may well end up with a Classic or Group 1 winner into the bargain!”
www.goffs.com

Buyers requested steroid tests on 30 of the 122 yearlings sold at the two-day Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale of selected yearlings. The 24.6% test rate was by far the highest since steroid testing was made available at public auctions earlier this year.

The test rate at the preceeding yearling sale—Fasig-Tipton’s Kentucky July sale of selected yearlings—was 7.2% (22 of 305).

“I think the percentage of testing here was quite high, but the intrinsic value of the horses sold in Saratoga also is high,” said Terence Collier, Fasig-Tipton’s director of marketing. “A $500 test is not a significant cost for the people buying horses here.

“There will be a lot more horses tested in September, more than here, but I doubt the percentage will be as high. None of the horses tested at the July sale came back positive, and I would expect the same result here, but of course we’ll have to wait and see.”

Results are expected at the end of this week or early next week. In the case of a positive test, the seller must pay the $500 test cost and the buyer gains the right to void the sale. None of the 71 tests performed on auction horses this year has come back positive.

While steroids were on the minds of buyers and sellers at Saratoga, interest in the voluntary ownership registry continued to lag. Ownership information was submitted for 27 horses in the Saratoga sale. Only one buyer accessed the data.

At the July sale, 83 ownership interests were lodged in the repository and not a single buyer asked to see the information.

D.G. Van Clief Jr., chairman of Fasig-Tipton and the Sales Integrity Program Monitoring Committee, said it is too early to judge the usefulness of the ownership registry.

“At this point it’s preliminary. We won’t draw any conclusions until the end of the year,” Van Clief said.

Noting that sales companies are devoting resources to collecting and maintaining ownership information in the sales office, Van Clief said it is possible the information could be made available electronically in the future to save money.

Longtime auction-reform proponent Satish Sanan said he believes disclosure remains important. Sanan said medical-history disclosure, which is currently voluntary, should be mandatory.

“We continue to ask for veterinary disclosure. The consignors know if something is wrong with a horse or a procedure has been done, but they don’t want to give that information,” Sanan said. “It’s going to take some time, but the climate is right and we just want to do the right things. Until we get 100% transparency and 100% integrity, people will continue to [complain] and moan, and rightfully so.”

The new conditions of sale require disclosure if a horse changes hands after entering the sales grounds but before going through the ring. The penalty for non-disclosure is 50% of the hammer price, in addition to up to 200% of the consignor’s commission, the same penalty as a violation of the voluntary-disclosure provisions.

“If you ignore any of the ownership disclosure issues, the consequences are substantial,” Van Clief said.
(Source: Thoroughbred Times)

Release

Over 450 outstanding racetrack prospects will be catalogued for Australia’s premier breeze up style sale, the Magic Millions Horses in Training Sale at the Gold Coast.

To be conducted over four days from October 28-31, the sale has attracted its finest ever catalogue.

Among those being prepared for the sale are well over 400 freshly turned two-year-olds by Australia’s leading sires.

Those sires represented include the recently crowned 2007/08 season champions Encosta de Lago (Champion Sire), More Than Ready (Champion 2YO Sire), Hussonet (Champion Second Season Sire & Champion 3YO Sire) and Exceed and Excel (Champion First Season Sire).

Also represented are the previous two season’s champion sires Flying Spur (2006/07 season) and Redoute’s Choice (2005/06).

Other sires represented by entries ready like a who’s who of the breeding industry - Anabaa, Beautiful Crown, Bel Esprit, Bletchley Park, Cape Cross, Catbird, Choisir, Commands, Danehill Dancer, Danewin, Danzero, Dehere, El Moxie, Elusive Quality, Falvelon, Fusaichi Pegasus, General Nediym, Good Journey, Iglesia, Lonhro, Mossman, Red Ransom, Rock of Gibraltar, Royal Academy, Secret Savings, Sequalo, Show a Heart, Spinning World, Tale of the Cat and Testa Rossa as dozens of others proven stars.

And there will be progeny by up and coming stallions Al Maher, Charge Forward, Danbird, Dane Shadow, Elvstroem, Fastnet Rock, Hold That Tiger, Lion Heart, Not a Single Doubt, Refuse to Bend, Reset, Savabeel, Shamardal, Stromberg Carlson, Tiger Hill and Tycoon Ruler among others.

As well as the outstanding selection of two-year-olds there is a small group of three-year-olds in the sale by sires including More Than Ready, Giant’s Causeway, Galileo, Monashee Mountain, Black Hawk and Royal Academy.

Magic Millions managing director David Chester said he was delighted with the quality line of entries received for the sale.

“Without doubt this year’s sale will have the best quality line up ever offered at a breeze up style sale of this kind in Australia,” Chester said.

“This is Australasia’s number one sale - last year we boasted a record average price and youngsters sold to $275,000.”

“The second highest priced lot of the sale - a colt by Giant’s Causeway and from Group One winner Love De Tor - recently was an impressive winner on debut in Brisbane.”

That horse Love De Cause, who is being trained by Maryann Thexton, is among entries for October’s Group One Caulfield Guineas in Melbourne.
www.magicmillions.com.au

Release

The catalogue for Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, sponsored by Betfair, is now online and can be viewed at www.tattersalls.com. Europe’s premier yearling sale will take place over three days, Tuesday 7th – Thursday 9th October, and features own or half brothers and sisters to 43 Classic and Group 1 winners amongst the 611 catalogued, all of which are eligible for Europe’s most extensive sales race series, the £2,300,000 Tattersalls Timeform Millions.

In total there are a massive 274 own or half brothers and sisters to Group and Listed winners and 23 of the current top 25 British and Irish based sires are represented including ACCLAMATION, CADEAUX GENEREUX, CAPE CROSS, DALAKHANI, DANEHILL DANCER, DANSILI, GALILEO, GREEN DESERT, INDIAN RIDGE, INVINCIBLE SPIRIT, KYLLACHY, MONTJEU, OASIS DREAM, PIVOTAL, RED RANSOM, ROCK OF GIBRALTAR, ROYAL APPLAUSE, SADLER’S WELLS, SELKIRK and SINGSPIEL.

Numerically the best represented sire is top ranked British based sire PIVOTAL who has 36 yearlings catalogued, followed by the current leading British and Irish based sire GALILEO who has 35. MONTJEU and DANEHILL DANCER, currently second and third in the British and Irish sires table have 27 and 34 yearlings catalogued respectively while the venerable 14 times Champion sire SADLER’S WELLS has 14 lots catalogued comprising eight colts and six fillies.

As ever leading international sires feature prominently with top USA sires ARCH, BERNSTEIN, DIXIE UNION, DYNAFORMER, EL CORREDOR, ELUSIVE QUALITY, FUSAICHI PEGASUS, GIANT’S CAUSEWAY, GONE WEST, GULCH, HENNESSY, JOHANNESBURG, LEMON DROP KID, MORE THAN READY, MR GREELEY, PULPIT, RAHY, SEEKING THE GOLD, SMART STRIKE, THEATRICAL and UNBRIDLED’S SONG all well represented as is Germany’s outstanding sire MONSUN.

Classic and Group 1 winning first crop yearling sires are also well to the fore with 2005 Irish 2,000 Guineas winner DUBAWI leading the way with 27 catalogued, while SHAMARDAL, winner of the 2005 Poule d’Essai des Poulains and himself a 50,000 guineas Tattersalls yearling purchase, has 20 of his first crop to represent him. 2005 Derby winner MOTIVATOR, a 75,000 guineas October 1 purchase, has 14 yearlings catalogued and 2,000 Guineas winner FOOTSTEPSINTHESAND, yet another 2005 Classic winning Tattersalls October 1 yearling purchase, is represented by 13 lots.

Commenting on the Tattersalls October Book 1 catalogue, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony said;

“Book 1 of the 2008 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale is without doubt Europe’s outstanding yearling catalogue and we are delighted to have the event sponsored by Betfair for the second time. We have added an all new 6 furlong two year old race to the £2,300,000 Tattersalls Timeform Millions making it the most extensive sales race series in Europe and we have slashed the race entry costs making the four race series better value for owners than any other sales race series. As ever Book 1 will cater for buyers across the board combining yearlings from so many of Europe’s outstanding Classic families, tailor made for the Tattersalls Timeform 3YO Trophy, with the more precocious types who will no doubt be aimed at the Tattersalls Timeform Million, the Tattersalls Timeform Fillies’ 800 or the all new Tattersalls Timeform Millions Sprint.”
www.tattersalls.com

Release

Vendors will be given every opportunity to sell their horses at this year’s Inglis 2 & 3yo Breeze Up Sale to be held during the Melbourne Spring Carnival on Sunday October 26.

Inglis will be targeting local, interstate and international buyers to attend the sale which will have a new and innovative format this year. The internet will also play a major role throughout this sale.

Vendors will be able to stable their horses for a week at Inglis’ Oaklands complex in Melbourne and work their horses on the track prior to breezing their horses. They will also be able to breeze their horses twice (if desired) in the lead up to the sale. The fastest of the breeze up sessions will be posted as the recorded time.

“Having a track at our complex allows a second opportunity to breeze if needed as well as two additional days of training,” Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster said.

“This is sure to give young horses every opportunity to familiarise themselves with the course, which is not available when using other venues.”

“Months of hard work all come down to a one furlong breeze, so it is important for all concerned to be given the chance to show their potential.”

The entries closing date for this year’s Breeze Up Sale is Friday, September 5 and entry forms are available on the Inglis website.

“This year we had numerous pinhookers purchase good quality yearlings to resell at this sale, so we are anticipating a strong catalogue with more entries to arrive in the next couple of weeks,” Webster said.

The timing of the sale falls right in the heart of the Melbourne Spring Carnival, with thousands of visitors to be in the city following the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley a day earlier and less than a week out from the famous Melbourne Cup week carnival at Flemington.

“As we have with all of our major sales this year we will be targeting international and domestic buyers with incentives, and there is no better time to entice potential buyers to Melbourne than spring.”

Participation from Asian buyers is expected to be high given the demand for racing stock in major centres, most of which will have just commenced their new racing seasons. Breeze up horses have proven a popular choice for these markets and Asian buyers have enjoyed great success from these sales in the past.

But for those buyers not in Melbourne, Inglis has every base covered. The online bidding service, along with internet video streaming of trials and an online X-ray repository will give buyers every opportunity they need to assess each horse in the catalogue.

“I expect the online bidding service to really come into its own given the technology we’ve made available to buyers through our online innovations.”

“These sales have tremendous appeal to the Asian market and the online bidding concept has taken off there already with a yearling being sold to Hong Kong for $600,000.

“Domestic racehorse buyers have also embraced it with 18 per cent of tried horses receiving an online bid at our most recent Sydney sale.”

Facts at a glance

Sale Date: Sunday October 26

Horses stabled from: Sunday October 19 and training track open Mon 20 and Wed 22.

Breeze Up Sessions: Tuesday October 21 and Thursday 23. Vendors can elect to do two breeze ups if they wish and post the best time and video online.

Entries close: September 5 2008
www.inglis.com.au

Led by an impressive looking son of Storm Cat, which fetched a final bid of $2 million, the 2008 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga select yearling sale, held Aug. 4-5 at the Humphrey S. Finney Pavilion in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., saw an increase in average, while the median held steady and the gross took a slight slip compared to last year’s figures.

“We came in here hopeful that we would equal last year with the economy and different things going on in the world, and I didn’t know if it was attainable, but I am tickled to death that it was,” said Walt Robertson, president of Fasig-Tipton. “By the middle of the sale tonight, this thing was a lot of fun. Of course the sale topper was in that group, but it was still a lot of fun.”

Fasig-Tipton reported 122 horses sold for $36,080,000. The average was $295,738, and the median $227,500 The buy-back rate was 26%.

Compared to last year, the number of horses sold decreased 14.1% and the gross fell 12%. The average increased 2.2% and the median remained even with last year.

“We’ve seen in July (Kentucky sale), the upper part of the market did well,” Robertson said when explaining why the upper level of the market has remained healthy despite a downturn in the economy. “There was still plenty of market for the right horse and when you add pedigree in, it was electric here.”

Last year, 142 horses sold for $41,082,000, to average $289,310. The median was $227,500. The buy-back rate was 24.5% (46 horses not sold).

The sale-topping son of Storm Cat was purchased by Michael Vincent Magnier of Coolmore Stud from the consignment of Ben Walden’s Gracefield and represented the Kentucky-based breeder and consignor’s lone Saratoga offering. He was bred in Kentucky by the partnership of Walden, Philip Steinberg, and Racehorse Management.

“The lads thought he was a very good horse, and we have supported Storm Cat for a very long time. He has been a sire of sires over here and in Europe for a long time,” said Magnier, who added it was too early to determine whether the colt would remain in the United States or would be sent to Europe. “We just loved the horse and he has a fantastic pedigree.”

The colt was produced from the stakes winning Mr. Prospector mare Get Lucky and is a half-brother to grade II winner Daydreaming, grade III winner Accelerator, and stakes winner Harborage. He is also from the family of grade I winner Bluegrass Cat.

Walden and Steinberg purchased the Phipps family-bred Get Lucky, in foal to Monarchos, for $300,000 at the 2002 Keeneland November mixed sale from the consignment of Claiborne Farm, agent. Walden and Steinberg still own Get Lucky, who has a 2-year-old A.P. Indy colt, owned by Darley that is currently in training at Saratoga with Kiaran McLaughlin. She produced a full brother to the sale topper this year and is not in foal for 2009.

When asked why he chose to bring the colt to Saratoga instead of waiting for the Keeneland September yearling sale, Walden said, “I just felt he had a special quality, and there are a lot of nice horses that go to the September sale. I just thought he had a chance to shine up here.”

Walden said the colt has always been a standout. “He was an absolute star the way he handled things,” Walden said. “He was really a pure Storm Cat from day one and he has really evolved into a bigger Storm Cat. He looks so much like his sire and he is a true Storm Cat without some of the disposition issues.”

For the session, the 62 horses sold grossed $17,920,000, to average $289,032. The median was $227,500 and the buy-back rate was 22%. During the second and final session of the 2007 sale, 66 horses sold for $21,215,000. The average was $321,439 and the median was $235,000.

In addition to the sale-topper, trainer Nick Zito went to $750,000 to secure a son of Mr. Greeley for Robert LaPenta’s Whitehorse Stable. The dark bay or brown colt was consigned by Eaton Sales, agent.

Olin Gentry originally purchased the colt for $350,000 at the 2007 Keeneland November mixed sale.
(Source: The Blood-Horse)

Release

This month’s Inglis Melbourne August Thoroughbred Sale at Oaklands has been boosted by the supplementary entry of blue-blooded mare Danevade (Danehill -Subterfuge, by Machiavellian), a dual Group placed full relation to Shania Dane and Scintillation.

Danevade is the winner of three races, including her most recent outing at Caulfield in March. Her career also included a second in the G3 Matron Stakes and third in the G2 Hilton International Stakes last year.

Full sister Shania Dane was a four times Group winner and five times Group 1 placed, before retiring to stud, where she produced an Encosta De Lago colt last year, while Scintillation has been one of Hong Kong’s best racehorses in the past few seasons, winning 12 races – six at stakes level – and $A3.2million in prizemoney.

Danevade is being offered for sale by Riverend Park and D’Arcy Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd to dissolve a partnership.

“Mares of this calibre rarely come up for public auction and this represents an outstanding opportunity for buyers on the dawn of a new breeding season,” Inglis Director Peter Heagney said.

“Subterfuge has proven herself as one of Australia’s blue hen producers and it is quite clearly one of the hottest families in this part of the world right now.”

Recent sales results support that analysis, with Subterfuge’s past two yearlings selling for upwards of $1million at Easter and her daughter Sequin (by Lure) also producing a colt that made $1.1million at this year’s Easter Sale.

Danevade will be offered alongside the Rainbow Quest mare Wishing Star, Manistique (by Miswaki) and My Sparkling Star, the dam of dual Group 1 winner Sudurka.

Manistique, who produced a Rock Of Gibraltar colt last spring, is a half-sister to dual US Grade 1 winner Lazy Slusan.

The four supplementary mares will be sold on Thursday, August 14 immediately following the main Broodmare catalogue.

The Melbourne August Thoroughbred Sale has been extended to two days and will conclude on Friday, August 15.

Inglis’ On-line bidding and Post Sale services will both be available to buyers during this sale.

The sale will also include a stallion parade of first season horses covering their debut book of mares in Victoria.
www.inglis.com.au

The Fasig-Tipton Saratoga select yearling sale, a small boutique auction that offers quality horses, got off to what the company’s chairman, D.G. Van Clief Jr., termed “a solid start ” Aug. 4 in New York. The average and median prices both increased from 2007, and even though the buy-back rate also rose, from 21.6% last year to 29.4% this year, the level it reached wasn’t alarming.

“I thought going in this segment of the market would perform pretty well; the upper range in Kentucky (at the Fasig-Tipton July select auction) performed pretty well last month,” said Fasig-Tipton president Walt Robertson. “There weren’t a lot of surprises, and it wasn’t necessarily easy. The buy-backs were up from last year, but were still manageable at under 30%.”

The 60 horses sold grossed $18,160,000 and averaged $302,667. The median was $235,000. Compared to 2007’s opening session, the number sold fell 21.1% from 76 while the gross dropped 8.6% from $19,867,000. The average increased 15.8% from $261,408, and the median advanced 13.3% from $207,500.

A robust Storm Cat filly brought the session’s top price of $1.5 million from Team Valor International’s Barry Irwin, who outlasted Kentucky horseman Olin Gentry. Consigned by John Sikura’s Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales Agency, agent, the bay yearling was bred in Kentucky by Strategy Bloodstock.

“She’s got the most awesome body; she’s just so athletic looking,” said Irwin, who purchased last year’s Saratoga sale topper, a $2.2-million Mr. Greeley colt named Kinsella. “Her front legs are good; she’s got everything you want. She has a great neck, and she’s just incredible looking. To be truthful with you, I thought I had no shot to get her, so there is no plan for her; I don’t have one yet. I really only wanted to go to a $1.2 million or $1.3 million, but the way I look at it, where are you going to find another horse like this? I wish the timing had been different because if I had already bought this one, I might not have bought a couple of other horses earlier. I’m kind of stretching my bankroll here, but I just couldn’t resist it.”

The filly is a full sister to 2004 Irish group III winner Cherokee and another Irish stakes winner, Art Museum. She is a half-sister to 1998 Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II) winner Lil’s Lad (by Pine Bluff). Their dam, the 19-year-old Vanlandingham mare Totemic, captured the Honeybee Stakes (gr. III) and Magnolia Stakes at Oaklawn Park in 1992.

Will Farish of Lane’s End Farm purchased the session’s most expensive colt, a $1.2-million son of A.P. Indy named Pyramid Indy. The sire of the strapping bay colt stands at Lane’s End in Kentucky, and Farish, in partnership with Steve Mooney, raced a half-sister to the yearling, Pyramid Love (by Fusaichi Pegasus), who was a winner and finished second in the 2007 Doubledogdare Stakes (gr. III) at Keeneland.

Pyramid Indy “is a lovely individual,” Farish said, “and one of the nicest A.P.s I’ve seen at auction in a long time, with an outstanding female side that I’ve been very interested in – it’s a Wildenstein family – for years. I expected him to bring more.”

Bred in Kentucky by Dream With Me Stables, Pyramid Indy was consigned by Hunter Valley Farm, agent. The colt is out of the 11-year-old unraced Broad Brush mare Pyramid Lake. In addition to Pyramid Love, Pyramid Indy’s siblings include Pyrana (by Anabaa), who was a winner and finished third in the 2005 Prix Rose de Mai in France and the 2006 editions of the Locust Grove Handicap (gr. IIIT) at Churchill Downs and the Rumpipumpy Stakes at Saratoga.

Hunter Valley, as agent, also consigned Pyramid Indy to the 2007 Keeneland November breeding stock sale, but bought the colt back for $500,000.

“He was just big, raw, backward colt, and that’s why we reserved him so high,” said Fergus Galvin of Hunter Valley. “We were of two minds whether to bring him to the sale in the first place, but we figured if we did, we were going to really protect him because we knew he would grow into the individual that he did. He’s just been a special horse from day one, a very, very classy horse.”

Sheikh Mohammed’s bloodstock manager, John Ferguson, was the session’s biggest spender, paying $3.1 million for five yearlings, including a $900,000 Distorted Humor – Stupedous Miss colt that was consigned by Denali Stud, agent. Team Valor ranked second, spending $2,120,000 for three head.

Third was Legends Racing, which paid $1,205,000 for three horses. The venture, known officially as the Thoroughbred Legends Racing Fund, was started earlier this year. It is the brainchild of Gentry and Thomas Gaines of Gaines-Gentry Thoroughbreds and investment banker Tripp Hardy. Plans for the venture were announced in early June and included the intent to raise $75 million to $125 million by late August to buy young horses that would be selected with the help of and trained by Bob Baffert, D. Wayne Lukas, and Nick Zito.
(Source: The Blood-Horse)

Release

New dates have been announced for the 2009 BMW Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale to be held at Belmont in February.

The sale, which annually attracts national and international buyers. will now be held from February 11 to 13.

“We have brought the sale forward a week so we wouldn’t clash with the Johnnie Walker Classic,” Magic Millions’ Perth manager Murray Tillett said.

“There wouldn’t have been the accommodation available for visitors of both major events.”

The Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale has a proud history of selling world class racehorses at bargain prices.

Nominations for the sale are closing now and all enquiries should be directed to the Perth office of Magic Millions as a matter of priority.

REVISED SALE PROGRAMME

Wednesday 11 February

Midweek Raceday
Ascot Racecourse

BMW Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale
Session One
Belmont Sales Complex

Thursday 12 February

BMW Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale
Session Two
Belmont Sales Complex

Friday 13 February

BMW Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale
Session Three
Belmont Sales Complex

Saturday 14 February

Magic Millions Perth Raceday
Ascot Racecourse
featuring the:
$250,000 Magic Millions Perth 2YO Classic
$125,000 Magic Millions Perth 3YO Trophy
www.magicmillions.com.au

Shoppers seemed to be liking the horses at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga select yearling sale, which is scheduled to begin its two-night run Aug. 4 in New York.

“They’re up to snuff,” said Barry Irwin of Team Valor International. “There are plenty of good horses, and a couple of spectacular ones.”

Seth Semkin, who was helping Spendthrift Farm’s B. Wayne Hughes inspect yearlings, also was enthusiastic.

“I think it’s a nice bunch,” he said.

Following are horses scheduled to be offered during the auction’s first session that buyers and consignors said were impressive:

Hip No. 1, a colt by Mr. Greeley – Madame Boulangere, by Royal Applause. Consigned by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings.
“He’s just a really, really top horse; I love him,” said John Moynihan, an adviser to Stonestreet’s Jess Jackson. “He’s a big, strong colt. He looks like he’ll be fast, and he also looks like he’ll run far. When Mr. Greeley gets a good one, it looks like this kind of colt.” Stonestreet’s Forestry filly (Hip No. 71, out of Summerwood) “also is really nice,” Moynihan said.

Hip No. 2, a filly by Ghostzapper – Madame Pietra, by Roy. Consigned by Hidden Brook, agent for Adena Springs.
“She’s a very attractive, racy filly by one of the most exciting young sires,” said Sergio de Sousa of Hidden Brook. “She’s feminine, she has all the parts, and she’s strong. She presents herself very well. Ghostzapper’s yearlings have good range, and they’re pretty correct with a lot of bone. They have a lot of him in them.”

Hip No. 7, a colt by Unbridled’s Song – Moonlightandbeauty, by Capote. Consigned by Eaton Sales, agent.
“He’s big, pretty horse with a good walk, and he’s correct,” said Archie St. George. “He’s a half-brother to a good horse (stakes winner Giant Moon), and he’s got a lot of what people would like.”

Hip No. 10, Princess Aurora, a filly by Mr. Greeley – My Reem, by Chief’s Crown. Consigned by Kaizen Sales, agent.
“She’s a very athletic, nicely balanced filly that is a tremendous replica of her sire, and she’s a registered New York-bred to boot,” said Kaizen’s Richard Kent.

Hip No. 13, a colt by Indian Charlie – Near Mint, by Dehere. Consigned by Dromoland Farm, agent.
“He’s very, very athletic, with a great walk,” said Dromoland’s Gerry Dilger. “He has a very good mind, and he’s a well-balanced horse. The sire is doing very, very well at the moment.”

Hip No. 21, Forest Valentine, a colt by Forestry – People’s Princess, by Meadowlake. Consigned by Lane’s End, agent.
“He’s a grand-looking horse; he’s very sound, and he’s very racy,” said Lane’s End’s Will Farish of this yearling, which is a full brother to grade III winner Carolyn’s Cat.

Hip No. 24, a colt by A.P. Indy – Platinum Tiara, by Cozzene. Consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent.
“He’s one of the best A.P. Indys we’ve ever had,” said Mark Taylor of Taylor Made. “He’s got great scope and great balance, and he is very correct. I love the way he was bred. He’s out of a Cozzene mare that was really good at two; she was second in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I). He’s got really good race potential and, ultimately, really good sire potential.”

Hip No. 28, a colt by Mr. Greeley – Potential Pleasure, by Unbridled. Consigned by Legacy Bloodstock, agent for J & J Mamakos & Venture I.
“He’s a good walker; he’s well-balanced; and he’s a good-minded horse,” said Legacy’s Tommy Eastham. “He’s a smooth mover, real athletic.”

Hip No. 31, Pyramid Indy, a colt by A.P. Indy – Pyramid Lake, by Broad Brush. Consigned by Hunter Valley Farm, agent.
“He’s a very good colt,” said Hunter Valley’s Fergus Galvin. “He’s the complete package. He’s a very good-looking horse and a very good walker. He’s got a stallion’s pedigree as well. He jumps through all the hoops.”

Hip No. 32, a filly by Ghostzapper – Questress, by Seeking the Gold. Consigned by Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales Agency, agent.
“It’s Ghostzapper’s first crop, and there is a lot of buzz about his yearlings,” said Andrew Cary of Hill ‘n’ Dale. “She’s very well-related, being a half-sister to (grade I winner) Pomeroy. She has a bright future, not just as a racehorse, but also as a broodmare.”

Hip No. 35, a colt by Pulpit – Ramatuelle, by Jeune Homme. Consigned by Stonetreet Thoroughbred Holdings, agent.
“He’s a great colt; he’s outstanding,” said John Moynihan, an adviser to Stonestreet’s Jess Jackson. “This is the mare’s first foal, and he’s just a really, really top horse.”

Hip No. 37, a colt by Dixie Union – Rare Gift, by Unbridled’s Song. Consigned by Lane’s End, agent.
“He’s very correct,” said Lane’s End’s Will Farish. “He’s just a very, very attractive Dixie Union.” Hip No. 73, a Dixie Union – Sweetest Smile filly, is “very popular, too,” according to Farish.

Hip No. 40, a filly by Mr. Greeley – Redmond, by Red Ransom. Consigned by Gainesway, agent.
“She’s an elegant, ‘scopey,’ filly with a big walk and a nice family,” said Gainesway’s Neil Howard. “Mr. Greeley has shown he can be both an American sire and international sire, so she works for everybody.”

Hip No. 50, a colt by Ghostzappper – Savorthetime, by Gilded Time. Consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent.
“With Ghostzapper, I think everybody is anticipating his first crop, and they’re really excited about them,” said Mark Taylor of Taylor Made. “But most of them are going to be in the Keeneland September (yearling) sale. There are only two of his colts in this sale, and I think this colt is just exceptional. He has great balance and a great mind, and he just looks like a racehorse. His mother was really, really fast, and really, really sound. She made 32 starts and earned $605,356. Everybody talks about how we need more soundness in the breed, and he looks like he’ll be a fast, sound horse.”

Hip No. 54, a filly by Distorted Humor – Seven Four Seven, by Colonial Affair. Consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent.
“Her pedigree has got a wonderful family all the way through,” said Marshall Taylor (a son of Duncan Taylor) of Taylor Made. “I like the way she looks; you can tell she’s got a lot of class just standing there. She’s got a great neck and shoulder.”

Hip No. 62, a filly by Ghostzapper – Spy Novel, by Broad Brush. Consigned by Paramount Sales, agent.
“She’s a big, strong filly with a great stride on her; she’s a great walker,” said Paramount’s Pat Costello.

Hip No. 63, a filly by Tiznow – St Ballado’s Image, by Saint Ballado. Consigned by Denali Stud, agent.
“She’s just a beautiful filly,” said Denali’s Craig Bandoroff. “She’s big and strong; there’s a lot to her. She has a lot of class and quality.”

Hip No. 68, a colt by Distorted Humor – Stupendous Miss, by Dynaformer. Consigned by Denali Stud, agent.
“He’s the only Distorted Humor colt in the sale,” said Denali’s Craig Bandoroff. “He’s a man; he’s a very nice horse. He’s big, and he’s got a lot of leg. He just looks like that classic two-turn horse that buyers want, something that can withstand the rigors of racing.” Bandoroff said to also keep an eye on Hip No. 53, a Rock Hard Ten – Serena’s Sister colt that is “a really fancy, pretty yearling from a great family.”

Hip No. 80, a filly by Storm Cat – Totemic, by Vanlandingham. Consigned by Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales Agency, agent.
“She is a big, beautiful specimen,” said Andrew Cary of Hill ‘n’ Dale. “She’s already a proven commodity because of the fact that she’s a half-sister to three stakes winners, including (grade II) winner Lil’s Lad. She’s a relatively safe investment as far as buying an expensive yearling goes. She’s got a great, long-term future that’s not just on the racetrack.”
(Source: The Blood-Horse)

Release

New Zealand Bloodstock’s Winter Mixed Bloodstock Sale concluded today with 80 lots sold for total takings of NZ$588,950 and a clearance rate of 73%.

With 133 lots catalogued the Sale comprised broodmares, yearlings, two-year-olds, unraced stock and racehorses and saw an average price of NZ$7,362 reached.

The top lot of the day came at lot 85 in the unraced stock section. The three-year-old Pins filly was bought by Taupo-based Bromley Bloodstock for NZ$170,000. From the Twin Pines consignment, she is the second foal from the O’Reilly mare, She’s Snubbed. This purchase sees Bromley the leading buyer of the Sale with Twin Pines the leading vendor.

The sales arm of Mike Tololi’s thoroughbred interests sold 11 horses for total receipts of $197,600. Their average of NZ$17,964 saw them top the Sale on that account also.

The second highest priced lot of the day was from the broodmare offering. Rockford Lodge sold lot 37, Superjet, to Bill Gleeson’s Wellfield Holdings Ltd for NZ$55,000. The dual-Listed race winner is from the family of the outstanding racemares Petrava and Hoeberg.

Focus now turns South for New Zealand Bloodstock’s South Island Sale of Two-Year-Olds and Mixed Bloodstock next Friday 5 August at the Canterbury Agricultural Park.
www.nzb.co.nz

If the massive Keeneland September auction is the Wal-Mart of yearling sales, then Fasig-Tipton’s Saratoga select auction is the stylish little boutique. There are only 195 horses in the Saratoga catalog, and some of their pedigrees are quite fancy. Horses by such top sires as A.P. Indy, Distorted Humor, and Storm Cat are scheduled to be offered during the sale’s two-night run, Aug. 4 and 5, in New York.

“Saratoga is a very special auction,” said Lincoln Collins, an international bloodstock adviser. “There are a lot of people who enjoy the atmosphere, and they will be here. So far, I’ve seen a lot of nice horses, and I expect them to sell well even though the general economy has got to be a concern. At some point, the overproduction of Thoroughbreds is going to come home to roost this year, but I doubt that’s going to be the case here at Saratoga because all of the horses are so good.”

The number of head sold, gross revenue, average price, and median price all fell during the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July select yearling auction, and many people blamed America’s numerous financial woes for the downturns. But Brandon Perry of Paragon Farms and Vision Sales didn’t believe the economy was the July auction’s main problem, so he is hopeful that Saratoga can turn in a better performance if buyers like the yearlings that Fasig-Tipton officials have selected.

“We vetted a lot of horses in July, and quite frankly, a lot of the horses didn’t pass the vet for us,” Perry said. “I didn’t think the physicals were as strong as they have been in the past, and that could have had more to do with the reduction in the average than the economy.”

In 2007, the Saratoga sale followed the general downward trend of North America’s yearling market, suffering setbacks in its gross, median, and average while its buy-back rate rose to 24.5% from 18.8% in 2006.

Terence Collier, Fasig-Tipton’s director of marketing, believes this year’s edition of the Saratoga auction has plenty of quality horses to tempt Sheikh Mohammed’s bloodstock manager John Ferguson and other big spenders, whose enthusiasm is needed to boost the market.

“We feel that we’ve got an exceptional catalog; we feel that we’ve got sire power; and from what we’ve seen to date physically, the horses are holding up very well, so we’re optimistic,” Collier said. “But because there are so many factors in the international economy that are hammering us, there is some anxiety as to what effect that situation is going to have on the psyches of the buyers. Even though these very wealthy horse owners are somewhat insulated from many of the economy’s vagaries, it doesn’t help when they see something negative every time they pick up a newspaper.”

Both sessions of the auction will begin at 7 p.m. (EDT).

Following are some comments from other Saratoga sale participants:

Brian Graves, Gainesway: “I could see the market maybe being a little bit off because of the economy, but I don’t think it will fall off significantly. I think it will stay pretty steady. We’re targeting kind of a different group of people than we did in July with the quality horse and the quality pedigree. That’s the end of the market that usually holds up. I’ve seen some faces walking around shopping early that weren’t here last year, so I’m hoping that there will be some new players in the market.”

Bayne Welker, Mill Ridge Sales: “I would like to see pretty much a continuation of what we saw in July as far as people wanting to buy horses. I didn’t think July was so bad. I was sitting there with five horses and four of them the market wanted, so I thought it was very fair. When you had a good horse, there was a market for it. Am I overly optimistic? No, because there’s no reason for me to be so at this point. But I don’t think people will stop buying horses. It will be OK. I think the whole year will be OK, but it will be rough in spots.”

Tommy Eastham, Legacy Bloodstock: “Our volume of shows has been good. Yesterday (Aug. 1), we were glad to see the people who were here come by. Again, I think this is going to be a sale where they’re going to buy the best and leave the rest, and I think it’s going to be that way for a little while. But I think you’re going to see a low RNA rate here. People’s expectations are adjusting to what the market is. We’re all kind of figuring it out. We’re going to be more conservative and more realistic on our recommendations (for reserves). It all comes down to if the big guys in the industry play here, and we’ve already seen John Ferguson and just about everybody else.”

Richard Kent, Kaizen Sales: “I’m looking for a good sale. The July sale, for the top 40% to 50% of the horses, was really pretty good. You’re dealing with an upper end market here, so I would expect that market to sustain itself.”

Marshall Silverman, consignor: “This is a boutique auction. Most of these horses have been picked through pretty good to get here, so I expect the market to be at least as good as it was last year. With the few scratches we’ve had and with fewer horses than last year in the catalog, there’s certainly going to be enough money around to buy these horses. It won’t be like we’ll run out of buyers.”

Cot Campbell, Dogwood Stable: “I wouldn’t think it would go through the roof. The other sale (in July) didn’t. It’s the same old stuff. Everybody wants the top ones, and certain aspects of the market are very weak, like the horses below $100,000. Where I’m shopping is $100,000 to $300,000, and it seems to be pretty strong. I doubt that the pinhookers are going to be as bold as they have been.”

Jeffry Morris, Highclere Sales: “It’s just a matter of how much money shows up. There are a lot of secondary issues going on. There’s a lot of controversy in our industry, and the economic issues are prevalent. Realistically these horses shouldn’t get penalized as much as the next tier down and the next tier. The farther down you go, the more trouble you’re going to have. I had some second thoughts about some of the sale horses we had in July. But in retrospect, I think that market was pretty representative of what we’re going to see this year. A lot of horses that we used to easily get $50,000, $60,000, or $70,000 for, we’re going to end up trying to get $30,000 or $40,000 for because there are so many of them.”

John Stuart, Bluegrass Thoroughbred Services: “It’s a very select sale, and there are plenty of buyers here. I don’t think there is any reason for it to fall off like some of the other sales (this year) will and have. The thinking is the select market holds up the best, and there’s pretty select stuff here.”

Craig Bandoroff, Denali Stud: “In July, the good ones that they really liked brought plenty of money. The world’s economy is about as bad as I’ve ever seen it, so I was very relieved and very reassured by the market (in Kentucky). As far as the definition of what the buyers want, they keep raising the bar. It takes a very good horse, but if you have that horse, there’s money for it. The sky’s not falling.”

Frank Taylor, Taylor Made Sales Agency: “I think that July was, hopefully, a totally different market than here. There is a different caliber of horse in Saratoga. There are good horses here, and there’s not a huge supply of them. I’m always a total optimist, so I think the sale is going to be great.”

David Greathouse, Four Star Sales: “The market has eliminated some of the speculators, there’s no doubt. You can’t be too bullish on your product; you have to recognize your clients and act accordingly. The market might be a little bit stronger in Saratoga. But I think the July sale was a little bit misconstrued because large numbers of RNAs were sold after the sale, which didn’t show up on the results pages. A lot more horses actually were sold than the percentages showed.”
(Source: The Blood-Horse)

Fasig-Tipton Co. will pick up the tab on nomination and entry fees to any of Saratoga Race Course’s six graded stakes races for two-year-olds in 2009 for horses sold at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale of selected yearlings, which begins Monday in Saratoga Springs, New York.

The 2009 Saratoga graded stakes races for two-year-olds are the Spinaway Stakes (G1), the Hopeful Stakes (G1), the Saratoga Special Stakes (G2), the Adirondack Stakes (G2), the Sanford Stakes (G2), and the Schuylerville Stakes (G3).

“This is a prestigious group of graded stakes, all of which have been won over the years by Saratoga sales graduates,” Fasig-Tipton President Walt Robertson said. “We look forward to working on this and other racing projects with [the New York Racing Association].”

NYRA President Charles Hayward described the venture as an “innovative business alliance.”

“This is just the beginning of a more dynamic and mutually beneficial relationship between NYRA and Fasig-Tipton at Saratoga,” Hayward said.
(Source: Thoroughbred Times)

Frank Stronach’s Adena Springs has cancelled its spring two-year-old sale for 2009 and perhaps beyond, it was announced Friday.

Adena’s two-year-old sale was held annually in conjunction with the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co.’s March sale of selected two-year-olds in training.

The Adena sale, which debuted in 2002, featured untimed gallops, in contrast to the timed workouts at the rest of the American two-year-old auctions.

The Adena sale had supporters who believed the slower gallops were better for the horses. However, it failed to bring the kind of prices the mainstream two-year-old auctions did.

“We put a lot of time and energy into getting these horses through the two-year-old program, but at the end of the day there’s only so much a horse will bring if they don’t breeze,” said Adena’s Mike Recio. “[The two-year-old sale] was really starting to gain momentum. A lot of stakes winners were coming out of it, and people liked the fact that the horses weren’t pushed.

“But we’re going to give people an opportunity to get in on our Eclipse Award-winning program through yearlings.”

Adena’s current crop of 217 yearlings will be divided between the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale of selected yearlings (7), the OBSC August yearling sale (37), and Keeneland September (173).

Adena is going to open its Adena Springs South training center in Williston, Florida—where its two-year-olds previously were prepped—to outside clients.

“We’ve elected to go the yearling route with the current crop and forego our annual two-year-old auction entirely,” Stronach stated in a press release. “We’ve decided to open our breaking and training facility at Adena Springs South the public and this change in strategy will free up valuable stall space there.

“Our training center is a world class facility with a gifted staff that includes Randy Bradshaw. We’ll treat client’s horses as if they are our own and offer very competitive rates.”

Adena’s 2008 sale saw 97 horses sell for a total of $5,283,500 and an average of $54,469. An A.P. Indy colt out of Smok’n Frolic topped the sale at $380,000.

Graded stakes winners sold at the Adena sale include Boomzeeboom, Thunder Touch, Bear’s Kid, The Niagara Queen, Buffalo Man, and My Princess Jess.

Ginger Punch, champion older female of 2007, was offered at the 2005 sale but was listed as reserve not attained on final bid of $27,000. Stronach kept Ginger Punch and raced her himself. Her record currently stands at 11 wins from 19 starts, with earnings of $2,705,603.

Recio said Stronach has not ruled out bringing the two-year-old sale back in 2010 or beyond.

“This was a hard decision to make. Frank was very proud of our two-year-old sale,” Recio said. “At the end of the day, it benefitted some horses, particularly the less-bred horses, because people got to see how they moved. But [the gallop format] did put some restraints on what a horse can bring.

“By no stretch of the imagination is this a red flag. Every year you have to analyze your program, and we’re going to try the yearling route and open our training facility to the public.”
(Source: Thoroughbred Times)

Release

On the back of a record Premier Yearling Sale in Melbourne earlier this year, the Inglis Board has committed to a multi-million dollar investment in the Oaklands sales complex. The major feature of this investment will be a new barn to accommodate an additional 180 horses, taking the total number of boxes at Oaklands to 850. The facility will also receive a facelift with a number of existing amenities to be replaced or improved. New parade areas will be created and others will be upgraded.

Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster commented, “This is a major investment for our company and reflects the confidence we have in the future growth of the Victorian racing and breeding industry. The Premier Yearling Sale has gone from strength to strength over the past 5 years, with gross sales increasing by 300% and the average yearling price more than doubling. With major breeders increasing their investment in Victorian based stallions and increasing support from inter-state vendors and international buyers, we need to plan for future growth.”

Plans for the new barn are currently with Council. Subject to approval, construction will commence in September and should be completed in time for the 2009 Premier Yearling Sale in March. This will allow more than 800 yearlings to be stabled together and four straight days of selling without the need for a gap between the Premier 1 and 2 sessions.

Inglis Victorian Director Peter Heagney commented, “The additional barn will ensure Premier 2 yearlings are available for inspection by major buyers throughout the sale. A gap day in a yearling sale is never ideal but has been necessary in the past to accommodate the number of entries we have received. By removing the gap we are confident the quality of yearlings offered at this sale will continue to improve. We expect many buyers will now stay for the entire sale, and this will benefit all involved.”

The additional stabling will also assist with the growth of the Great Southern Sale held in May of each year by allowing all weanlings and broodmares to be stabled together and will negate the need for a gap day, reducing time away from home for vendors and buyers alike.
www.inglis.com.au

A formidable collection of well-bred horses will be on the market at the two-day 2008 Emperors Palace National Two-Year-Old Sale on Saturday 16 August. Many of the top stallions and leading stud farms will be represented at the sale.

One hundred fewer juveniles than last year will be offered on the 2008 409-lot catalogue.

“I like to call this a `mixed bunch’ sale,’’ says Caroline Simpson, sales manager of BloodStock South Africa (BSA). “There is much variety on offer from the top of the market to the top-middle, to middle-bottom. There is always something for every buyer. Traditionally every year there are buyers who come away with what prove in time to be incredible deals.’’

Simpson’s words are borne out in particular by the 2006 sale which has already produced the likes of star sprinter JJ the Jet Plane (R70 000), multiple graded-placed stayer Classic Oasis (R60 000), graded placed miler Modern Monet (R50 000) and many others.

This is a sale at which sheer luck consistently seems to play a role - JJ the Jet Plane’s trainer “Lucky’’ Houdalakis explains: “I didn’t even look at JJ before the start of the sale! My patron Hennie du Preez wanted to buy a Jet Master for under R100 000 and secured this one for R70 000 merely on his pedigree, as he was nothing to look at anyway!’’

JJ the Jet Plane, who will soon be shipped overseas, earned more than R1.7 million in less than a year on South African tracks.

Albert Boshoff, who bought Classic Oasis, relates: “I marked five horses I liked on the evidence of their pedigrees. Classic Oasis was one of them. He happened to be coltish and jumped around when he entered the sales ring, so nobody really liked him and I got him for R60 000.’’ Classic Oasis’s career earnings stand at over R450 000.

Stallions represented this year include ill-fated Rich Man’s Gold (who has a couple of two-year-olds from his final crop on the sale), Western Winter, Al Mufti, Jet Master, Jallad, Silvano, Spectrum and Mogok, who had his first Grade 1 winner last Saturday.

Among the vendors, Dan de Wet of Zandvliet Stud makes a notable return to the Two-Year-Old Sale. He says: “I never have a big string at the sales. The timing of this sale is perfect as I can bring the best horses I have available at the right time.’’ He pinpointed a Captain Al filly from the family of sprinter Camp Arthur as the pick of his bunch.
(Source: Tabonline)