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| Staff Writer |
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Fasig-Tipton concluded the opening session of the Midlantic 2YOs in Training Sale on 20th May at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium with a highlight.
Hip 276, a daughter of Bernardini and one of the last horses to enter the ring, capped off the first day by selling for US$650,000 to Pedro Lanz, acting as an agent for KAS Stables in Saudi Arabia, after an exciting round of bidding.
Consigned by Crane Thoroughbred Services for Robert Garrett and Rusty Roberts, this session-topping filly is out of the unraced Medaglia d'Oro mare Rubies Are Red, who is a half-sister to the influential sire Tapit. The filly comes from a distinguished female lineage that includes champion Rubiano, Glitterman, and her second dam, Tap Your Heels. The promising filly impressed everyone by breezing an eighth in a swift :10 at the under tack preview.
"We are still in shock," said Pedro Lanz. "This filly (breezed) in :10 flat. Spectacular. And when you see the pedigree, the second dam, you see Tap Your Heels. It's something. (She is) a million-dollar filly. We are happy to get her. There is no better filly in this sale."
As far as whether the filly will ship to Saudi Arabia or remain in the United States, Lanz said, "There is a chance they will have the filly here with Bill Mott or Brad Cox. I don't know yet. We are starting some operations here. We have two colts here now. I don't know yet. It is probable that the filly could stay here. I have to talk to them."
The filly, bred in Kentucky by Gary Broad's Walmac Farm, was listed as a $200,000 RNA in the Four Star Sales consignment at last year's Keeneland September Sale. Walmac purchased the filly's dam, Rubies Are Red, in foal to Arrogate for $285,000 from the Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent for Aaron and Marie Jones, at the 2019 Keeneland November Sale.
"We're elated," Clovis Crane said moments after Lanz signed for the session topper. "Robert Garrett and Rusty Roberts gave me a chance to bring a group here, and it's great. I'm just thankful for the opportunity. The filly did just what we thought she would do. It's exciting.
"Boy oh boy, if you saw her physical, she is just outstanding," Crane added. "What a crackerjack. She just allowed us to do everything that we wanted to do with her, and it turned out great."
In total, 142 animals were sold during the session, generating gross receipts of US$13,162,000. This is a decrease from the 181 animals sold for US$18,292,000 during the same session last year. The average price on Monday was US$92,690, marking an 8.3% decrease from last year's average price of US$101,061 for the first session. There were 49 animals that did not sell in the first session, compared to 34 last year. The median price was US$48,500, down from US$60,000 last year. Despite a slow start, the session, which attracted an international buying bench, gained momentum as the day went on.
"A very good start to the 2024 May 2YOs in Training Sale," said Boyd Browning Jr., president and CEO of Fasig-Tipton. "Results were basically identical to last year from a statistical standpoint. We were very encouraged, and it was pretty evident by the strong international participation today, which I think really helped bolster the results. We've seen a little weakness in the earlier 2-year-old sales compared to last year, and I thought that participation helped get us consistent with prior year levels.
"Conversations on the sales grounds is that the quality of horses tomorrow might be a little more consistent overall than it was today," Browning added. "So, that bodes well for another strong day tomorrow."
Throughout this year's 2YOs in training sale season, there has been a high demand for top-end horses, but the interest declines for those in the middle and lower tiers. Monday's session followed this trend.
"All in all, we're very pleased," Browning said. "There is certainly polarization in the market. I think the polarization is more evident in a 2YO sale because there are multiple factors you have to go through. You have to have a reasonable breeze time; you have to have a breeze video; you've got to have a reasonable gallop out, and you have to still vet well. And then you have to show well on the sale grounds. So, there are a lot of filters you have to go through at the end of the day to attract what you hope would be a strong price.
"We continue to see lots of activity, a lot of repository activity on the grounds," he continued. "The barns have been very busy. (It's) an encouraging start. Hopefully, we'll continue tomorrow with even stronger results."
Of the 278 hips cataloged in the opening session, 87 were outs. In addressing the number of outs, Browning said, "I think the reality is that when a man or woman scratches their horse, it's not a position they hoped to be in. Most of the time it is due to what is perceived to be a lack of interest in that horse. And folks do have options with a 2-year-old. They're not far away from going to the racetrack."
The sale continues Tuesday with the second and final session beginning at 11 a.m. with Hips 281-556 slated to sell.