Near the end of an unseasonably warm February day, a colt (Hip 395) by Curlin brought excitement to the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky sale pavilion, lighting up the board at a final bid of $775,000 to top the Feb. 3 Winter Mixed Sale.
The price is the highest for a short yearling in the sale's history.
Maverick posted the winning bid on the record colt, who is out of grade 1-winner Unbridled Mo. The colt was offered as part of the dispersal of Red Oak Stable, consigned by Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa.
The colt was bred by the late Stephen Brunetti's Red Oak Stable. Brunetti, who died in April 2024, also bred the colt's dam. In terms of his racing and breeding operation, Brunetti also is remembered as the breeder and co-owner of three-time grade 1-winner Mind Control , who stands at Rockridge Stud/Irish Hill and Dutchess Views Venture, near Hudson, N.Y.
"The last 90 days he really blossomed," said Rick Sacco, manager at Red Oak Farm. "I mean, obviously Curlin is an outstanding stallion, and the mare was a grade 1 winner. I had a really good feeling that he would sell great. He was showing well; he's got a very big walk and a big hip, and he's a real correct Curlin. We were starting to get excited knowing the players that were involved, that were vetting him, and that were serious."
Unbridled Mo sold just a few hips later as Hip 401, going for $350,000 to West Bloodstock, agent for Repole Stable. The millionaire daughter of the late Uncle Mo has seven wins from 12 career starts, with her most notable win coming in the 2018 Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) tor trainer Todd Pletcher. Mile Repole, of course, campaigned Uncle Mo and stayed in on the successful sire.
"Unbridled Mo, a grade 1-winning daughter of Uncle Mo, who's near and dear to Mike's (Repole) heart," said Jacob West, who signed the ticket on behalf of Repole Stable. "We just lost him, and we're obviously massive fans of Uncle Mo. She was trained by Todd Pletcher, and Todd always held her in high regard.
"You saw what her Curlin baby (Hip 395) brought. And, she was 12 and she was open, but she's still young enough that she's got some brighter days ahead."
West said no plans have been made for her mating, and would leave that to Eddie Rosen, Repole's adviser, though his recommendation was Into Mischief or Curlin based on the quality of Hip 395.
"I'm a little disappointed in that number," said Sacco on the price for Unbridled Mo. "I think being barren hurt her, and she had a couple years that she wasn't in foal. She is really healthy right now; she's ready to be bred. She's been under lights and she looks great.
"I know Mike Repole bought the horse, and I think they'll do great with her. She's a beautiful mare."
Fasig-Tipton president and CEO Boyd Browning Jr. noted the quality horses that were offered Monday.
"Very encouraging sale today," Browning said. "There were some highlights, particularly from the Red Oak Dispersal. It's always great to have an opportunity to sell horses like the quality of the Curlin colt (Hip 395)."
Statistics
A total of 260 horses sold for gross receipts of $11,495,500, including private sales, for an average of $44,213, and a median of $16,000 during the single-session sale. Sixty-two horses failed to meet their reserve resulting in an RNA rate of 19.3%.
As last year's sale was conducted over two days, comparisons are difficult to make. That sale saw 372 horses sell for $21,687,000, including private sales, for an average of $58,298, and a median of $17,000. The RNA rate was 14.1%, representing the 61 horses who failed to meet their reserve.
Browning thought there was solid interest in some of the less expensive horses offered Monday.
"The activity today, from start to finish was encouraging," said Browning. "The RNA rate was certainly at an acceptable level. There was activity on some of the less expensive horses, probably a little more than I have seen throughout recent sales. It really kind of exceeded our expectations on the less expensive horses, in terms of activity.
"Same old story, it was great competition for the top-quality offerings. It was nice to see a Japanese buyer make a significant purchase above half a million dollars. We had international participation bidding on several lots as well."
Browning was referencing the $525,000 spent by Shimokobe Farm/Polo Green Stable, agent, to land Forever Dixie, a grade 3-placed broodmare prospect. The 5-year-old daughter of Quality Road was consigned by Grovendale Sales, agent.
The sale's top-priced mare was stakes-winning Boxwood (Hip 228) from the dispersal of William L. Pape, consigned by Royal Oak Farm (Damien and Braxton Lynch). Believed to be in-foal to Nyquist , she is the dam of Keep It Easy, winner of the Ed Brown Stakes, who is being pointed to the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) March 1 at Gulfstream Park.
A colt by Uncle Mo (Hip 160) out of the grade 1-placed mare Toasting, brought $200,000 from JPM Bloodstock, and was consigned by Mulholland Springs, agent. He was bred in Kentucky by 3C Stables.
The highest-priced yearling filly was Hip 287, a daughter of Yaupon who brought $125,000 from Goose Creek Equine. She was bred in Kentucky by Scarteen Stud and Barry Donworth, and consigned by Paramount Sales, agent.
"There's a great demand for quality, whether it be a yearling, racing prospect, a mare in foal, or a broodmare prospect," said Browning. "We kind of have a pretty good idea of the health of the market. We'd like to have it a little bit broader and a little bit deeper, but certainly there was plenty of bidding activity today from start to finish and overall very pleased."
The leading buyer of the sale (at least three purchased) was 3 Mile Creek, which landed five horses—all yearlings—for a total of $455,000. Taylor Made Sales Agency finished as the leading consignor with 35 sold for a $2,529,000 gross.
Next up for Fasig-Tipton will be the February Digital Sale Feb. 20-25.
