Strong Start to Fasig February

by Lucas Marquardt
The first session of the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale got off to a strong start yesterday in Lexington with a dozen six-figure horses and lively activity at all levels of the market. In total, 122 horses sold for $4,475,100, an average of $36,681 and a median of $16,000. The RNA rate, from 31 horses not sold, was a solid 20.3%. 
Last year’s sale featured a reduction from Eugene Melnyk’s successful racing and breeding operation, so year-over-year comparisons don’t reveal much (last year’s average was $56,252), though the fact the median was up at all (6.7%, from $15,000) suggests a strong market. Giving further credence to that notion is that the opening-session average was at least twice the averages realized by the ‘12, ‘11 and ‘10 renewals ($17,044, $15,418 and $15,899, respectively). Topping the opener was the 5-year-old broodmare prospect Devious Intent (Dixie Union), who had champion Groupie Doll (Bowman’s Band) back in third in last summer’s GIII Gardenia S. Representatives of Barbara Banke’s Stonestreet Stable, on the phone with Fasig executives, landed the sleek bay for $350,000. Grovendale’s James Keogh sold Devious Intent on behalf of TK Stables LLC as hip 138. 
Devious Intent was produced by the Machiavellian mare Hafifah and is a 3/4-sibling to SP Virgil Caine (Dixieland Band). Keogh saw a lot of those relations in the mare’s physical make-up. 
“She profiled a lot like Dixie Union and Dixieland Band, and I could see certain characteristics of Machiavellian in her,” said Keogh. “She’s a lovely type, and she’ll fit a lot of stallions. She’s not an overly big mare, but she’s not small, so you could breed her to a big or small stallion.” 
Keogh said the mare’s price tag as “right on” with his expectations. 
Yesterday, hips 1-176 went through the ring. Today, a much bigger session–hips 177-588–will be on offer. For catalog, results and outs, or to watch the sale live, visit www.fasigtipton.com.