A yearling by two-time grade 1 winner and first-crop sire Gunite led the way at the Aug. 25 Texas Summer Yearling Sale at the Mary Ruyle Sales Pavilion at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas.
The hammer fell at $140,000 for the Texas-bred son of Gunite, selling as Hip 41, who is the second foal out of the winning American Pharoah mare Wild America. Ken Reimer purchased the colt, who hails from the immediate family of grade 3 winner Wild About Hilary. Scott Mallory, agent for Greenhill at Dunvegan, consigned the colt, who was bred in Texas by Eric Schmitz.
"Who wouldn't want to buy a good Gunite?" Susan Montanye, agent for Ken Reimer, said. "He looks fast and classy. We'll take him to Florida and get him going then we'll send him to Steve Asmussen to race."
Reimer was also the buyer of Hip 52, a colt by Cyberknife consigned by Scott Mallory for $95,000, and Hip 74, a colt by Pappacap consigned by Vinery Sales for $90,000.
"Ken has had good luck buying out of the Texas Sale with stakes winners like Braken Poppa and Thebabeslayer," Montanye said. "The Cyberknife reminded us of Thebabeslayer, he is smooth and athletic, and the Pappacap is a colt with good bone, substance, and looks like he'll stretch out."
A total of 108 yearlings sold for gross receipts of $1,920,100, including private sales. The average was $17,779, an increase of about 10% compared to the 2025 Texas Summer Yearling Sale. The median rose over 30% year-over-year to $10,000, up from $7,500 in 2025. Thirty-two yearlings did not meet their reserve, resulting in an RNA rate of 22.9%.
"We're obviously happy with the results, especially with the increase in the average and median because it shows the quality we had on the grounds," TTA sales director Foster Bridewell said. "And I must express gratitude to our consignors, buyers, and the horses who all had to deal with very hot temperatures over the showing days. We thank everyone for that and, considering the results, I think they found good horses here in Texas."
The Horses of Racing Age session concluded with eight of 10 offerings selling for a total of $158,500. Four-time winner Blingster topped the Horses of Racing Age portion of the sale when he sold for $42,000. Sean Perl, agent for Danielle Ferguson, signed the ticket for the stakes-placed Texas-bred son of Bradester.
Full results are available at TTAsales.com
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
