Expectations Sky High for Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale

Following an exhilarating weekend of racing at Saratoga Race Course, the action will move a few blocks away to Fasig-Tipton's 104th The Saratoga Sale Aug. 4-5 held in the Humphrey S. Finney Sales Pavilion. Leading the prestigious weekend of racing was a 2022 graduate of the Saratoga Sale—Sierra Leone. The son of Gun Runner rallied to win the Whitney Stakes (G1) Saturday under Flavien Prat for owners Peter Brant, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Brook Smith. He was purchased for $2.3 million from the Gainesway consignment by White Birch Farm and M.V. Magnier. The reigning Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) winner has never finished off the board in his 12 career starts to date for his five-time Eclipse Award winning trainer Chad Brown, racking up career earnings of $6.8 million and three grade 1 triumphs. "That's kind of the ultimate scenario," Boyd Browning, president and CEO of Fasig-Tipton, said of Sierra Leone. "He was the sales-topper (in 2022), and then wins another grade 1 in the Whitney for some of the top connections in our industry—the owners of the horse, the trainer of the horse and the breeder. It was a full circle moment and for the consignor too. Gainesway, year in and year out, has one of the very best consignments in our sale, and is certainly an industry leader on both the breeding and sales side of things." The Saratoga Sale is North America's top-ranked yearling sale by percentage of grade 1 winners and graded stakes winners, according to BloodHorse Marketwatch. The sale has also produced the last three Preakness Stakes (G1) winners in National Treasure (2023) Seize the Grey (2024), and Journalism (2025). This year, buyers will have the chance to secure a half or full sibling to all three of the aforementioned classic winners. Bridie Harrison, agent for Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds, consigns Hip 10—Dynasty—a full brother to 2024 champion older dirt male National Treasure. Denali Stud, agent for Don Alberto Corporation, offers Hip 165, an Into Mischief half sister to Journalism; and Hip 209 is a half sister to Seize the Grey by first-crop sire Life Is Good, offered by Mill Ridge Sales, Agent. READ: Preakness Legacies Run it Back at F-T Saratoga Sale "That's what everybody that's in this business is trying to breed—those type of horses that can perform and win those types of races," Browning said. "It's a reflection of the quality of horses that the people are bringing to our sale, and also a reflection of the quality of buyers that we've got and the horses are going to top-notch racing programs, committed owners, outstanding trainers. Everything works hand in hand, and it's very rewarding to see that type of success with our graduates." Last year's record-breaking sale saw 154 horses sell for $82,160,000, with an average of $533,506, and a median of $425,000. Twelve horses sold for $1 million or more including the sales topper—a colt by Not This Time out of Kayce Ace who sold for $3.4 million to Donato Lanni, agent for Zedan Racing. He was consigned by Nardelli Sales. Consignors are very optimistic regarding both the level of traffic and quality of horses on the sales grounds. "The activity on the sales grounds has been incredible," said Allaire Ryan, Lane's End's sales director. "There are a lot of people about, a lot of groups of people about—whether they're end-using groups, syndicates, we're seeing a lot of trainers here too; it's so easy for them to pop over from morning training or in between races. We've been blown away by the foot traffic so far, and I think it bodes very, very well for an individual that has some quality. "I would say first and foremost (buyers look at) physical quality, and then if there's any back-class to the pedigree with what the broodmare has done or the sire power, that's just icing on the cake. This is a sale where the physical is really respected as much as anything else. If you did your due diligence and were very thorough about what you brought up here, I think you'll be very well-rewarded. It feels like it's going to be very strong." Kitty Day, owner of Warrendale Sales, who brings a draft of six to the sale, echoed that enthusiasm. "I think (the sale) is going to be pretty strong," Day said. "I think that the OBBB Act with 100% depreciation is going to help us a lot. I think people are looking for ways to enjoy themselves and perhaps have a tax write-off at the same time. "The activity has been really strong here, I think that the yearling sales across the board are going to pick up." Hips 1-109 will head to the ring Monday evening starting at 6:30 p.m. ET, with Hips 110-222 slated to go through the ring Tuesday. As of Sunday evening, Fasig-Tipton has reported 30 outs. "The early reports from the buyers is it's a very, very good group of horses," Browning said. "The consignors seem like they've got very good feedback on their horses. Everything feels very positive right now. "We are very pleased with the group of horses that are on the grounds, and the buyers. I feel very, very good about it. I think the results should be reflective of that at the end of Tuesday night."