By Christie DeBernardis & Jessica Martini
The Fasig-Tipton July Horses of Racing Age sale missed out on a seven-figure transaction when Grade III-winning sophomore Donegal Moon (Malibu Moon) failed to sell at $1.6 million, but was topped by a RNA turned private sale in $575,000 Grade I winner Stormy Lucy (Stormy Atlantic). Originally led out unsold at $650,000, the latter was purchased privately by SF Bloodstock shortly after leaving the ring.
The HORA sale, which was held on its own day for the first time and included 23 lots from the dispersal of Elisabeth Alexander's Eutrophia Farm, saw 72 horses sell for a total of $5,048,500. The average was $70,118 and the median was $42,000 with 19 horses reported not sold for a buy-back rate of 20.9%. Last year, 65 horses sold for $3,996,000 with an average of $61,477 and a median of $48,000.
“It's a pretty similar marketplace to what we've seen in recent years,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. “I thought it was pretty competitive bidding on most of the lots. I thought the dispersal was very well received and I think exceeded expectations. There was plenty of activity and interest for the most part on the vast majority of the racehorses.”
Of the seven-figure RNA, Browning added, “I don't think anybody has a whole lot of experience selling 3-year-old colts in July coming off of those type of performances to try to access what is the market evaluation. They clearly have some pretty significant racing opportunities in front of them this year and in all likelihood next year. Their evaluation was higher than the market determined today at 8:00. In the world we live in, a post-sale private sale could take place or a partial transaction.”
Duncan Taylor of Taylor Made Sales Agency, which consigned both the sale topper and the high-priced RNA, thought the Horses of Racing Age sale had attracted a diverse buying group and was a good lead in to Tuesday's yearling sale.
“I thought our 2-year-olds were just a little soft,” Taylor commented. “Racehorses were good, but with the 2-year-olds, I think there weren't those buyers focused on starting something out for the races. There were those racehorses buyers and the yearlings we sold actually sold good. I am hoping that is going to carry over [to Tuesday]. Who knows, tomorrow is a new day.”
Bidding resumes at Newtown Paddocks at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday with the Fasig-Tipton July yearling sale.
Donegal Moon a High-Priced RNA at F-T July
Donegal Racing's recent GIII Pegasus S. winner Donegal Moon (Malibu Moon) (Hip 508) sparked late fireworks during the Fasig-Tipton July Horses of Racing Age session Monday night, but ended up an RNA at $1.6-million after a flurry of bidding.
Donegal Racing's Jerry Crawford was in good spirits when exiting the pavilion to discuss a possible private sale with his partners.
“We are going to go have a little discussion about [a private sale]. Stay tuned and we are excited about staying in on the horse as well,” Crawford remarked. “By the way, if we don't sell him, we are going to take the 5-2 favorite to the [Aug. 6 GII] West Virginia Derby and say, 'Come and catch us.' So, there are worse things than that.”
Kicking off his sophomore season with a fifth in the GIII Withers S. at Aqueduct Jan. 30, Donegal Moon rebounded with a 13 1/2-length allowance win at Parx Mar. 5, but was a non-factor eighth in the GI Toyota Blue Grass S. a month later. Fourth behind next-out GSW American Freedom (Pulpit) in the Sir Barton S. over a muddy Pimlico strip May 21, the $220,000 KEESEP yearling sprung a 6-1 upset in Monmouth's Pegasus last time June 19.
Out of a daughter of champion Possibly Perfect (Northern Baby), the flashy chestnut also traces his lineage back to MGISW millionaire Coil (Point Given) and Grade I winner Chiropractor (Kitten's Joy).
“Our barn is loaded right now with quality and that's the only reason that you would sell a horse like this,” Crawford said. “If this was your only stakes contender, you wouldn't. But, if we could send our partners nice checks once in a while, that is a good thing for the business.”
Consignor Taylor Made Sales' Duncan Taylor was not overly surprised by the RNA.
“People pay for yearlings and stuff, but you know, I just think there wasn't enough of those types of buyers here,” Taylor commented. “There is a possibility [of a private sale]. There were a couple of people who we thought might go to that level.”
Stormy Lucy Sells…Eventually
Originally led out unsold at $650,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Horses of Racing Age Sale, Grade I winner Stormy Lucy (Stormy Atlantic–Here Comes Lucinda, by Dixieland Band) eventually did find a new home Monday evening when SF Bloodstock purchased the 7-year-old broodmare prospect for $575,000.
“We were a little disappointed when she didn't sell the first time around,” said Leif Aaron of Taylor Made, which consigned Stormy Lucy on behalf of owner Steve Moger. “I think there was a lot of confusion with the bidding because a lot of people bid $600,000 at the same time. So we were just going to run her up and take her into the November sale and re-sell her there, but a lot of people showed interest in her when they saw she was a buy-back and we got a lot of offers afterwards. SF Bloodstock just made us the best offer.”
Bred by Mercedes Stable, Stormy Lucy originally raced for Frank Gaunt, who purchased her for $24,000 out of the 2011 Barretts May sale. She was purchased privately by Moger after winning the 2014 GII Santa Ana S. Racing in Moger's colors, Stormy Lucy captured the 2015 GI Matriarch S. at 65-1. She finished second in three straight graded events, the GIII Robert J. Frankel S., GIII Megahertz S. and, most recently the Feb. 20 GII Buena Vista S. before being retired last month with a breathing issue.
“Based on her age, I was a little concerned about what she would bring,” Aaron admitted. “But she was absolutely gorgeous, so she probably brought what she was worth.”
Eutrophia Farm Dispersal a Success
The Fasig-Tipton Horses of Racing Age sale opened with 23 offerings from the dispersal of Elisabeth Alexander's Eutrophia Farm. The dispersal, which was handled by Taylor Made Sales Agency, featured seven six-figure sales, led by Kitness (Storm Cat–Firmness, by Devil's Bag) (hip 405), who brought a final bid of $205,000 from I Green. The 8-year-old mare sold along with her Candy Ride (Arg) foal and in foal to Competitive Edge.
“The dispersal went unbelievable,” said Taylor Made's Leif Aaron. “We appraised the whole dispersal around $1.2 million and it ended up bringing $1.68 million. I think anytime you add the word dispersal to the end of a sale, people come out in droves.”
Several of the broodmares sold along with their 2016 foals and the babies made selling the mares an easier proposition, according to Aaron.
“We have never offered mares with foals before and the foals just showed fantastic, so it was really easy to go out and sell those mares when the foals looked as good as they did,” Aaron explained. “All credit to Mrs. Alexander because she had developed these beautiful families. All we did was take the credit for it, but it was all the work she had put in throughout the years.”
Alexander, along with her late husband Quentin, began breeding Thoroughbreds in 1970. Under the name of Eutrophia Farm, the Alexanders bred or raced five Ohio champions and were often at the top of Ohio's owner and breeder standings. The farm's most accomplished runner is seven-time graded stakes winner Magna Graduate (Honor Grades).
Cerin Hoping to Ship and Win
Racing returns to Del Mar Friday and California trainer Vladimir Cerin was busy stocking up for the meet during the Fasig-Tipton Horses of Racing Age Sale. Cerin, bidding alongside bloodstock agent Raymie Lightner, purchased five horses Monday on behalf of owners Holly and David Wilson.
“Del Mar starts on Friday,” Cerin explained of his buying spree. “This sale is four days before Del Mar where they have a 'Ship and Win' program where horses get a 30% bonus in purse money when they've run their last race out of state. So we are looking for some horses that we think will fit the program at Del Mar that we can win races with and hope that we're lucky enough.”
At the top of Cerin's shopping list was Top of the Game (Desert Party–Indy Future, by A.P. Indy), who sold for $87,000 from the Taylor Made consignment. Catalogued as hip 437, the 3-year-old gelding made four starts for owner John Oxley and trainer Mark Casse, with his best finish a runner-up effort versus $35,000 maiden claimers at Churchill Downs June 25.
Cerin also signed the ticket at $74,000 for Geologist (Medaglia d'Oro–Queen Martha, by Rahy) (hip 470), most recently third against Woodbine maiden claimers June 18.
Cerin admitted bidding was competitive Monday at Newtown Paddocks.
“There haven't been any bargains,” he said. “I think we are paying exactly what they are worth. I was hoping to get a few bargains, but I think everyone knows what the horses are worth.” –@JessMartiniTDN
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