Ways And Means tops Fasig-Tipton November Sale at US$5 million

Cover image courtesy of Fasig-Tipton

The Fasig-Tipton November Sale surpassed US$100 million (AU$143 million) in gross sales for the second year in a row and the fifth time in six years when 140 horses grossed $101,617,000 (AU$145 million).

Ways and Means (Practical Joke), just two days removed from a devastating victory in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly And Mare Sprint, topped the auction when selling for US$5 million (A$7.2 million) to Boyd Racing.

“It was another remarkable evening,” Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning, Jr. said at the close of business Monday. “We don't publicly state it, but there is something magical in my mind in trying to get to $100 million for this night. And we achieved that goal again this year.

“The demand for beautiful horses is extraordinarily strong, whether it happens to be a weanling, a filly or mare coming off the racetrack, or a mare in foal, you cannot appraise a mare that is big and beautiful high enough. If they walk out of the stall and put a grin on your face, they are going to sell extraordinarily well. But we live in a world where there is some selectivity in the market, without any question. Not every horse that went through the ring was met with complete enthusiasm. But overall, we are very, very pleased with the sale.”

The buying bench at the boutique auction featured significant international participation.

“Our friends from Japan where major participants in the marketplace tonight,” Browning said. “I think we had a little bit more European participation this year than we have had in the past and that was a result of the catalogue. There was a lot of turf influences in the catalogue this year, so it made sense that there would be a little more traction this year for our European buyers. We had participation from Saudis, from Australia, and obviously a lot of American buyers. So it was truly an international smorgasbord of buyers.”

Demand for weanlings strong from small lot numbers

A pair of weanling fillies topped the seven-figure mark Monday and both were purchased by Asagi Stables. A daughter of Not This Time, consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, sold for US$1.15 million (AU$1.65 million) and a filly by Into Mischief consigned by Gainesway sold for US$1 million (AU$1.43 million).

“I wouldn't draw too many conclusions about the overall marketplace because this is such a small sale,” Browning said. “We had 105 foals catalogued, we may have had 85 through the ring. The upper end was phenomenal, supported by some end-users. We had the type of foals this year that the end-users wanted to have. People had a hard time buying those type of yearlings this year, so I think people came in and shopped at the weanling marketplace.”

Reiley McDonald, through his Eaton Sales consignment, sold a weanling filly by Into Mischief for US$800,000 (AU$1.1 million) on Monday.

“I brought her in here to get yearling dollars for her and I'm not sure we did get yearling dollars, but we got a very good price for her,” McDonald said. “She was vetted by about 14 people. $800,000 to a million is a good price.”

Among the weanlings sold by Hunter Valley Monday was a filly by Practical Joke who sold for US$530,000 (AU$760,000).

“It's been really strong,” Hunter Valley's Fergus Galvin said. “There were a lot of end-users–maybe thinking they would get a little bit of a bargain compared to the yearling sales. It's great to see. As always, we are a little sceptical starting off weanling season, but it looked pretty strong.”

Five million, the magic number: Elite goes for a consignment best

As the consignor of the US$5 million (AU$7.2 million) sales topper and Saturday's GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint winner Ways and Means (Practical Joke) (hip 161), Elite Sales already had plenty to celebrate. But by night's end, a total of five mares from their roster brought seven-figures, a number which Bradley Weisbord believed was a record for the consignment.

“We're extremely proud, to not only sell Ways and Means, but to sell five million-dollar mares which I believe is a record for our consignment,” said Weisbord, Elite's Founder and Managing Partner.

A Klaravich Stables homebred, 'TDN Rising Star’ Ways and Means was defeated just once in four starts this year and absolutely romped at Keeneland this past Saturday, taking the Filly & Mare Sprint by 6.25 lengths. Across a racing career that spanned four years, she was Grade I-placed as a 2-year-old and continued on at that high level, ultimately winning three times at the top level and banking north of US$2.15 million (AU$3.1 million) on the track.

And if a stellar career wasn't enough, Ways and Means is a half-sister to a pair of classy runners in Grade 1 winner Surge Capacity (Flintshire {GB}), who sold at this sale in 2024 for US$3.6 million (AU$5.2 million), and Graded winner Highly Motivated (Into Mischief), who stands at Kentucky's Airdrie Stud. His first crop of 2-year-olds have netted him 12 winners thus far in 2026.

The mare responsible for this trio of talented siblings, Strong Incentive (Can) (Warrior's Reward), has twice brought seven-figures through the Fasig-Tipton November ring, first going for US$2.15 million (AU$3.1 million) in 2023 while carrying to Good Magic and then returning in 2024 where she sold to M.V. Magnier and White Birch Farm for US$2.75 million (AU$3.9 million) in foal to Into Mischief.

Boyd Racing's Brittany Linton, who signed the ticket on the likely Eclipse Award-winning Ways and Means, did not confirm whether she would be retired or would continue to race in 2027.

Joining the US$5 million (AU$7.2 million) topper for Elite Sales was In Our Time (Not This Time) (hip 203) at US$2.5 million (AU$3.6 million) to Katsumi Yoshida, Dynamic Pricing (Ire) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) (hip 184) at US$2 million (AU$2.9 million) to Haruya Yoshida, and Fionn (Twirling Candy) (hip 191) at US$1.75 million (AU$2.5) who sold along with US$1 million (AU$1.4 million) Everlasting (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) (hip 187) both to Lake Villa Farm. Two of those five mares, Ways and Means and Dynamic Pricing, raced in the red and white silks of Klaravich Stables.

“We're thankful to all of our owners, especially Klaravich Stables,” Weisbord said. “I think this is their second sales topper (t the Fasig-Tipton November Sale) in the last three years joining McKulick (who sold for $6 million in 2024).”

Ways and Means joins a prestigious list of Elite-consigned mares sold for over US$5 million (AU$7.2 million), a list which includes the likes of champions Monomoy Girl (Tapizar) and Tepin (Bernstein).

“Obviously $5 million is a great result and with a mare like (Ways and Means), you always want to have two people hook up and create (a strong bidding environment),” Weisbord said. “I always want to dream a little bigger. That being said, in this marketplace, to sell five mares for over a million dollars, we're obviously extremely thankful for the support we continue to get and for the show that Fasig-Tipton puts on.”

Of the nine horses in the Elite consignment Monday, only one failed to reach their reserve and Weisbord acknowledged that market trends continued to favour the top-end of the catalogue.

“There's certainly no shortage of capital. But I think buyers are being more disciplined with how they're deploying that capital,” Weisbord said.

“The demand for elite horses remains quite strong but I think there is a difference between having buyers interested in horses and having buyers willing to stretch (to buy) horses. I was proud of our team to be able to achieve the results we did in this sort of marketplace. I would say that we're pleased overall with the night. When you put the whole puzzle together (of all five mares), you think 'this is a pretty picture'. So overall, I think it was an extremely positive night.”

US$4.2 million Cy Fair to remain in training for AMO Racing

Cy Fair (Not This Time) (hip 182), just two days removed from a runner-up effort in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, sold for US$4.2 million (AU$6 million) to Kia Joorabchian's AMO Racing and the 3-year-old filly is expected to remain in training with George Weaver next year.

“We'd think about going to Ascot with her,” bloodstock agent Jaime McCalmont said as Joorabchian celebrated the purchase and agent Ben McElroy signed the ticket on the filly, who was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency.

“The other filly (Ways and Means) sold for $5 million, so you'd have to think she'd bring $4 million for sure,” McCalmont said of the team's expectations for Cy Fair's price tag. “I think that was as far as we were going to go. We are very happy to have her.”

Cy Fair capped her 2-year-old campaign with a win in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint a year ago. She added wins in this year's GIII Mamazelle Stakes and GIII Coronation Cup before her gritty runner-up effort in Saturday's Turf Sprint.

“If she can maintain what she's done already, we've got a very nice horse for the racing stable,” McCalmont said. “That's what we are trying to do. Win big races.”

Asked if the purchase was made with an eye towards the filly eventually joining the operation's broodmare band, McCalmont said, “I would presume so. They are very hard to get, aren't they? If you've got a Breeders' Cup winner in your band, it's pretty good.”

Monday's result capped an emotional journey for owner Reagan Swinbank, who purchased her for US$185,000 (AU$265,000) at the 2025 OBS Spring sale.

“Cy Fair is the horse of a lifetime,” Swinbank said. “Being able to own and campaign her has been so fun. She's named after my mom's home town and her high school, my wife was the one who told me to buy her. When we were at OBS and overbudget, my wife said, '(G2 Queen Mary Stakes winner) Crimson Advocate is under the second dam and she's by Not This Time. Just buy her.”

Swinbank eventually added partners Medallion Racing, Joey Platts and Mark Stanton and Cy Fair went on to win US$1,199,430 (AU$1.7 million) for trainer George Weaver.

“It's been very emotional,” Swinbank admitted. “I cried Saturday after the race when she fought so hard for second. I cried Sunday when I came here and fed her two peppermints and pet her. And I cried thinking about this moment this morning. But I'm very happy with the sale result. Very happy she's going to AMO racing. They are obviously a world-class, world-wide operation. I want to watch her run and I want to bet $10,000 on her to win every time she runs.”

Swinbank added, “I am just happy and proud of George Weaver and his team, Maddie Mattmiller and Jake Ballis and their team. The Swinbank Stables team includes those people. I have full faith in those two groups. I don't express my opinion very often. They do everything and they are right. I am lucky to have really quality people around us, picking and training horses.”

Asked if he planned on returning to the 2-year-old sales to reinvest next spring, Swinbank smiled and said, “We have to turn this money around.”

His wife Kalynn joined in emphatically, “Buy more horses!”

Breeders' Cup winner Kathynmarissa brings $3.2 million, heads to Japan

Led through the ring as the very last offering in the main catalogue, last weekend's GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf heroine Kathynmarissa (American Pharoah) (Hip 208) realized US$3.2 million (AU$4.6 million) from Japan's Katsumi Yoshida. The price was the third highest during Monday's November sale.

“It was such a good performance, we were very honoured to buy her,” said bloodstock agent Shingo Hashimoto. “It was an easy win and it was amazing to be (at Keeneland last weekend). Very happy (with the purchase).”

How much did the mare's Breeders' Cup victory factor into the decision to extend over the US$3 million (AU$4.3 million) mark?

“That's a good question,” said Hashimoto. “Of course, that performance made her more attractive to us. (The purchase price) was somewhere within what we expected. But we knew it was going to be tough.”

The 5-year-old was consigned by Gainesway, agent.

According to Hashimoto, Kathynmarissa will be sent to Japan and she will likely be bred to two-time Japanese Horse of the Year Equinox (Jpn), who was inducted into Japan's Racing Hall of Fame in 2025.

Kathynmarissa, trained by Chad Brown and campaigned by Michael Dubb and Michael Caruso, posted a near-perfect season in 2026, winning four of five starts, while earning US$1.98 (AU$2.8 million) million. In addition to the Breeders' Cup, this season was highlighted by victories in the GI Diana, GII Flower Bowl and GIII Modesty.

Bred by Don Alberto, the Kentucky-bred is out of Chilean Group 1 winner La Dalila (Chi) (Milt's Overature), who is also responsible for Chilean champion and Group 1 winner La Poetisa (Empire Maker). Offered at the 2022 Keeneland September Sale, Kathynmarissa brought US$200,000 (AU$287,000).

Yoshida proved busy on Monday securing six head for a gross of US$10.9 million (AU$15.6 million). In addition to Kathynmarissa, Yoshida purchased In Our Time (Not This Time) (Hip 203); Fondly (Upstart) (Hip 194); and Gun Song (Gun Runner) (Hip 198). Yoshida also purchased Whiskey Decision (Into Mischief) (Hip 162) and Nooni (Win Win Win) (Hip 127) for US$900,000 (AU$1.3 million).

Other Japanese connections to make a splash on Monday: Yosuke Imafuku purchased Bottle of Rouge (Vino Rosso) (Hip 172) for US$2.2 million (AU$3.2 million), while Haruya Yoshida purchasd Dynamic Pricing (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) for an even US$2 million (AU$2.87 million).

Shadai Farm also paid US$1.5 million (AU$2.15 million) for Simply Joking (Practical Joke) (Hip 150). Japanese-based K I Farm also extended to US$1.5 million (AU$2.15 million) for No Time (Not This Time) (Hip 126).

Spendthrift extends to cool $3 million for Scottish Lassie

Well into Monday's Fasig-Tipton November Sale, Spendthrift Farm outlasted its competitors to secure dual Grade I-winning Scottish Lassie (McKinzie) for US$3 million (AU$4.3 million).

Consigned by Taylor Made Sales, Hip 147 was sold on behalf of the partnership of Sportsmen Stable, Parkland Thoroughbreds, Photos Finish, Corms Racing Stable and Jorge Abreu, who also trained the filly. She was offered as a racing/broodmare prospect.

“She was a very nice physical and she had a wonderful race record, a Classic-type of mare and wonderful pedigree,” said Ned Toffey, who was stationed with the Spendthrift team in Fasig's buyer's balcony. “She was really the whole package. We are very excited to have her.”

Asked what are the breeding plans for the operation's newest acquisition, Toffey explained, “She'll go back to the farm now. We have a variety of options (of who) to breed her to. Certainly there's always that horse, Into Mischief. So it sort of starts there and then some other options too.”

The winner of the GI Frizette at two, the filly added a victory in the GI CCA Oaks at three. The 4-year-old filly also finished runner-up in both the GI Personal Ensign and GII Shuvee this season.

Scottish Lassie is out of the winning mare Bodebabe (Bodemeister). This is the extended family of Grade I winners Tara's Tango and Visionaire. Scottish Lassie, a US$50,000 (AU$72,000) Keeneland September purchase, subsequently brought US$85,000 (AU$122,000) at the OBS March sale in 2024. She passed through the ring unsold at US$3.8 million (AU$5.4 million) at this venue in 2025.

Scottish Lassie is by McKinzie, who was represented by his third crop in 2026. The dual Grade I winner is also represented by Grade 1 winners Baeza, Chancer McPatrick and Hymn.

“We haven't necessarily had a lot of success with (McKinzie), but Street Sense's (influence) is very strong…And I have plenty of respect for McKinzie. Mostly what we like to buy is athletes that have some looks, and the athletic ability is the number one thing. She clearly had that.”

On Monday, Spendthrift also bought Hill 'n' Dale's Hip 174, Cash Call (McKinzie), for US$1.35 million (AU$1.9 million). The operation also secured Five G (Vekoma), for US$900,000 (AU$1.3 million). Offered as Hip 193, the latter mare was consigned by agent Taylor Made Sales.

The filly was bred by Parkland Thoroughbreds, who had retained a 25% stake in the filly until Monday sale.

Parkland, who enjoyed another stellar season in 2025 when Group 1 winner and Irish Highweight older mare Portuna Fortuna (Ire) (Caravaggio)–co-owned by Parkland's principal, Steve Weston–sold for 4.5 million guineas (AU$9 million) at Tattersalls December last season.

While Scottish Lassie didn't reach that lofty mark, it certainly wasn't any less rewarding for Weston.

“Last year, we had another amazing filly, Porta Fortuna (Ire), who we sold (at Tattersalls). But this is another amazing experience,” said Weston. “I just hope that we can find something else. They're not easy to find and (Scottish Lassie) was great for us. I'm only sad that she wasn't able to run in the Breeders' Cup (this year), but we'll see in the future. Hopefully, she has some great foals for Spendthrift. And I'm glad she'll stay in the country so we can go and visit her in the future.”

Weston was also quick to point the filly's trainer when asked about the Kentucky-bred's success, and some of the challenges, on the racetrack.

“I'm also extremely happy for Jorge Abreu,” added Weston. He's a smaller trainer and to get a horse like this, financially, this is really big for him. This money is life-changing for him. So I'm really happy for him. He's really the reason that she (has achieved this success). He took care of her for three years with the ups and downs, physically, things that happened. And he did a marvellous job with her and I have to thank him.”

Brant goes to $1 million for Sovereignty breeding right

Peter Brant's White Birch Farm purchased a lifetime breeding right in Godolphin's GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner Sovereignty for US$1 million (AU$1.43 million) during Monday's Fasig-Tipton November sale.

“He was one of the best racehorses we've seen,” said Alan Quartucci, who signed the ticket on the offering. “We've seen him train all year at Payson Park and we watched him run in New York at Saratoga. He is a champion. I think Peter thought it would be a good investment to get in on the ground floor.”

The day after Sovereignty won the Classic Saturday, Darley announced last year's GI Kentucky Derby winner and reigning Horse of the Year would begin his stud career next season at a fee of US$150,000 (AU$215,000).

Of the seven-figure price for the lifetime breeding right, Quartucci added, “We know what the stud fee is going to be and he is just starting out. So you're certainly going to have the chance to breed to him for many years, hopefully. And that's what the price was going to be. I don't think it was low or too high. It was probably where they expected it to be.”

Darley Stallions offered three lifetime breeding rights Monday at Fasig-Tipton. In addition to the breeding right to Sovereignty, a lifetime breeding right to GI Pacific Classic winner Knightsbridge, third in Saturday's Breeders' Cup Classic, sold for US$450,000 (AU$650,000) to Havertz Bloodstock. A lifetime breeding right to Nyquist RNA'd for US$1,275,000 (AU$1.8 million).