Anticipation High for 100th Edition of Saratoga Sale

A stone's throw from the iconic red and white awnings of historic Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., where the country's leading owners, breeders, and trainers converge each summer to run the top horses in the game, lies the Humphrey S. Finney Sales Pavilion. The iconic building and its surrounding grounds are home to The Saratoga Sale, Fasig-Tipton's place for elite yearlings to shine. The atmosphere is relaxed yet storied, laced with traditions and memories. The boutique nature of the sale adds to what makes the Spa a tradition in the equine industry, drawing in the world's biggest buyers. Long regarded as a top source for racing prospects worldwide, the catalog brings forward a draft of talented, active families. This year marks two historic moments for the sale. It returns to the marketplace after Fasig-Tipton was forced to cancel in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is also the 100th edition of the sale, with 210 yearlings cataloged to sell Aug. 9-10 during sessions slated to start at 6:30 p.m. ET daily. "We are very excited and looking forward to the 100th Saratoga Yearling Sale. The optimism and desire has been enhanced from not being able to be here last year," said Fasig-Tipton's president Boyd Browning Jr. "At the end of the day it all depends upon the quality of the horse you have on offer and the way people support you. We couldn't be more excited and pleased with the group of horses we have lined up for this year." The last time this sale was held in 2019, 135 horses sold for gross receipts of $55,547,000, an average of $411,459, and a median price of $350,000. There were 47 horses that failed to meet their reserve. Two youngsters tied for the top price at $1.5 million, both sons of Curlin, among four to achieve seven-figure status. The Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa stallion is represented by five in the catalog this year. The yearling season kicked off with a strong market at The July Sale, Fasig-Tipton's selected yearling sale in Kentucky, with gross receipts of $21,608,500 and 208 horses changing hands. "We are very encouraged by what we saw in the marketplace in July and with the 2-year-old season this year. The level of activity and interest at the two premier race meets in Del Mar and Saratoga … the handle and overall interest, all indications are very positive at this stage and we are looking for a very healthy marketplace," said Browning. "We saw a vibrant and active marketplace that we think will continue in Saratoga." This year's catalog reflects a 5.8% decline from the 223 cataloged in 2019, and as of Sunday afternoon, 18 yearlings had been withdrawn. "Since 1960 I don't like to miss The Saratoga Sale. It's a great showcase for a relaxed atmosphere to see all the horses. As agents and buyers it's a good way to get our feet wet," said Drew Nardiello, stable manager for Lothenbach Stables, which has found continued success buying horses from this sale. The Saratoga experience combines the best of the historic town with top-class racing and two nights of lively bidding for the most sought-after yearlings in America. "Quality—racing, atmosphere, horses on offer—any time you have your partners come and experience all of that, from racing to the sales, it's amazing," said bloodstock agent Jacob West. "The dates are circled on everyone's calendar every year. First the weekend of racing that leads into the week at the sales, it's something that everyone looks forward to." West said this year's catalog delivers the quality that buyers have come to expect from Fasig-Tipton. "The best of the best, name brand sires, top-class physicals. Going through the catalog, page after page of jaw dropping pedigrees … it's a tip of the hat to Fasig-Tipton (for) putting this strong catalog together," West noted. Many Fasig-Tipton graduates have gone on from The Saratoga Sale to remarkable success. Triple Crown winner American Pharoah and U.S. classic winners Tapwrit, Tonalist, and Union Rags are just a few of the elite horses that have done the sales company proud. Breeders' Cup winners Battle of Midway, Corinthian, Four Wheel Drive, and Tepin are among many that have all gone through the ring in Saratoga Springs. "You get good racehorses, good families," said Nardiello. "Fasig-Tipton always does a good job of getting consignors to bring attractive, precocious racehorses to the sale, which prove it on the racecourse." "We have had a lot of success (from this sale), but I think it all goes back to the consignors and breeders that bring those top-class horses," said West. "Eclipse (Thoroughbred Partners) has had a lot of success purchasing out of this sale. A classic winner in Tapwrit and Breeders' Cup champion in Sharing were both sourced from the Spa." "It's a well-curated catalog of yearlings, but you can buy a good horse here for $150,000 or $1 million." bloodstock agent David Ingordo said. "(Fasig-Tipton) has done a great job of putting these yearlings together. They have always had a good inspection team. "You can be sure if you like the pedigree and you like the physical in person, you're going to have a good shot at having a racehorse." North America's current top five leading sires are all represented by yearlings in the sale, with 18 by Into Mischief to be offered, three by Ghostzapper, one by Speightstown, five by Tapit, and five by Curlin. This year Into Mischief has been popular among buyers as usual, with an average price of $264,250 for the eight of his yearlings that have sold thus far this sales season. "I love the tried and true sires in Tapit, Twirling Candy, Curlin, and Quality Road—horses of that nature," Ingordo said. "There are a few up-and-coming horses I am hot on. City of Light, he was a top-class horse. He follows along in the mold of his sire (Quality Road) and they are only going to get more expensive. I like Accelerate; we supported him at The July Sale." Thirty-seven consignors have brought their best to the upstate town. Taylor Made Sales Agency is the leading consignor by volume, with 21 yearlings on offer as of Sunday afternoon. Consignor Reiley McDonald of Eaton Sales is a Saratoga stalwart. "Last year was the first year I had missed since 1979 when I was in college," he said. "It has a special place in my heart. It was my first yearling auction I attended after working on the racetrack. I love the racing and the people. The sales are difficult, but if you get the formula right it works. "Saratoga provides us with the 'All American' yearling sale. I feel if you take an American-style pedigree, solid physical, and the horse is by a good sire or out of a good mare, it's a good spot. We feel it's all about physicals at Saratoga. We have a barn full of athletic, well conformed horses predominantly by American sires." "We have been going to The Saratoga Sale for as long as I can remember," said Brian Graves, general manager at Gainesway. "My father (the late Bill Graves) was the director of sales for Fasig-Tipton, so naturally I have always tried to take a strong consignment. This year we have 14 horses. We have something for everyone … at the tip-top to the middle of the market. "I think the market is extremely good right now. I expect it to carry over to Saratoga, but I can't lie, I am cautiously optimistic that it will be even better than July," Graves added. "The quality will be higher, which is what people are looking for right now."