The first day of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale belonged to Tapit (USA), who had the top two lots, while his son, Darley's Frosted (USA), also made a considerable impression with two of his first crop selling for over $US500,000.
The demand for Gainesway's Tapit's progeny was expected to be strong and he produced the only seven-figure lot for the day as West Point Thoroughbreds went to US$1 million for the colt Flightline (USA), who was consigned by Lane's End.
Out of G2 winner Feathered (USA) (Indian Charlie {USA}), he is from the family of multiple G1 winner Finder's Fee (USA) (Storm Cat {USA}).
“He is by Tapit and we love Tapit,” West Point President and CEO Terry Finley said. “We thought he was a great physical, so we tried to buy him. We thought we would have a good shot at that level, so we are glad we had the winning bid at the hammer drop.”
“I am just very excited. We keep buying these types of horses and we just hope we will get back to the big time. That is what partners want. They want really top-end horses to take a shot at the brass ring, so to speak.”
“I am just very excited. We keep buying these types of horses and we just hope we will get back to the big time. That is what partners want. They want really top-end horses to take a shot at the brass ring, so to speak.” - Terry Finley
Soon after, Donato Lanni went to US$950,000 for a Tapit filly on behalf of Heider Family Stables. She is out of Pension (USA) (Seeking The Gold {USA}), making him a half-sister to G2 winner Annual Report {USA}) (Harlan's Holiday {USA}).
“She is a lovely filly with an unbelievable female family,” Scott Heider said. “She is exactly what we look for when we are looking to buy from the ring. And on this particular filly, when Steve Asmussen says special and Donato Lanni says special, I have to pay attention to the two of them.”
Frosted sells four
Tapit's triple G1 winning son Frosted, who is headed back to Darley Australia's Northwood Park for his third season in 2019, had a strong first day with four of his yearlings sold.
Mike Ryan went to US$575,000 for the filly from Silver Strand (USA), consigned by Lane's End. She is the half-sister to 2018 Yasuda Kinen winner Mozu Ascot (USA) (Frankel {GB}) as well as the stakes winner Kareena (USA) (Medaglia d'Oro {USA}), out of G2 winner India (USA) (Hennessy {USA}).
Tapit's triple G1 winning son Frosted
Frosted's colt out of Flirting With Fate (USA) sold to Spendthrift Farm for US$500,000. Offered by Summerfield, he is also a half-brother to G1 winner Dance With Fate (USA) (Two Step Salsa {USA}).
He also had a filly out of Here To Stay (USA) (Empire Maker {USA}), the daughter of G1 Breeders' Cup Sprint winner Safely Kept (USA) (Horatius {USA}), sell for US$165,000 to Spartan Bloodstock and a filly out of Rich Love (USA) (Not For Love {USA}) sell for US$150,000 to Rick Green.
Medaglia d'Oro (USA), who shuttled to Australia for eight seasons for Darley, had the day's third top lot with a filly out of the stakes-winning Light The City (USA) (Street Sense {USA}) going to agent Kerri Radcliffe for US$900,000 on behalf of a partnership that will include George Bolton, Sheila Rosenblum and others.
“She’s very special. She looks like an athlete and she’s by a great sire. I loved her. She has a beautiful head. She’s quality,” Radcliffe said.
Medaglia d'Oro (USA)
Another filly by Medaglia d'Oro, the half-sister to G2 winner Tom's Ready (USA) (More Than Ready {USA}), sold to agent Mike Ryan for US$450,000. Ryan also picked up the lone American Pharoah (USA) yearling to sell on the day, paying US$200,000 for a filly out of G1 winner Seattle Smooth (USA) (Quiet American {USA}).
The other result from a stallion active in Australia saw a colt by Vinery's legendary More Than Ready (USA), a half-brother to G1 winner Diversify (USA) (Bellamy Road {USA}), sell to Solis/Litt for US$275,000.
Averages up on Day 1
The average on the first day of what was a smaller offering compared to 2018 was up from US$348,976 to US$373,361, with a small jump in median of $5,000. There was US$22,775,000 exchanged on 61 lots sold on the opening day at a median of US$315,000.
“It was an outstanding opening session of the 2019 Saratoga sale,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning, Jr.
“It was an outstanding opening session of the 2019 Saratoga sale.” - Boyd Browning, Jr.
“We’re pleased to have increases in the average and median compared to day one last year, although I am always caution that you have to look at the whole sale as a composite,” Browning said. “There can be some fluctuations and variations from day to day, but I think we are set for another strong session tomorrow.”
