Classic Connections Abound at Fasig-Tipton’s Saratoga Sale

[Wandering Eyes]

What is the common denominator between the last three runnings of the second jewel of the U.S. Triple Crown and Fasig-Tipton's Saratoga Select Yearling Sale? When Journalism (Curlin) crossed the wire first in the GI Preakness Stakes last May, it marked the third consecutive year that a yearling sold at Fasig-Tipton's Saratoga venue brought home the blanket of Black-Eyed Susans.

Beginning in 2023, National Treasure (Quality Road), a $500,000 Saratoga buy, won for trainer Bob Baffert and a partnership consisting of SF Racing, Starlight, Madaket Stables, Robert Masterson, Jay Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital and Catherine Donovan. He Would add two more Grade Is to his repertoire the next season–the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational and GI Metropolitan Handicap.

In 2024, Seize the Grey (Arrogate) gave his Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas his seventh Preakness win and his 15th Classic victory overall. Campaigned by MyRacehorse, the $300,000 Saratoga yearling purchase also won the GI Pennsylvania Derby later that year.

The most recent renewal of the Preakness was won by Journalism, who realized $825,000 at the 2023 Saratoga sale.

The winner of the GI Santa Anita Derby, the bay returned to take the Preakness after finishing runner-up in the GI Kentucky Derby the following month. Most recently, the Michael McCarthy trainee won the GI Haskell Stakes for the partnership of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridledwood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Bob LaPenta, Elayne Stables Five, and the Coolmore partners.

“We sell hopes and dreams,” said Fasig-Tipton's President and Chief Executive Officer Boyd Browning Jr. “Fortunately, we've had consignors support us in recent years with extremely high quality horses. Those yearlings have been bought by people who have very good racing programs and those horses have been able to achieve success on the racetrack. There is no better advertisement for a sale than the success of its sales graduates.”

Case in point, Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), who realized $2.3 million at the 2022 renewal of the Saratoga sale, returned to the Spa this past weekend to take the GI Whitney Stakes for Peter Brant, the Coolmore partners and Brook Smith. Named last season's champion 3-year-old colt, Sierra Leone concluded his championship campaign with a victory in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic after being nosed out of a win in the Kentucky Derby earlier in the season.

Journalism after the Haskell | Sarah Andrew

Providing some sizzle to this year's sale, Denali Stud–acting as agent for breeder Don Alberto–features an Into Mischief sister to Journalism. Offered as Hip 165, the Mar. 28 foal is out of GSW and MGISP Mopotism (Uncle Mo), who recently died due to complications from colic.

“Pedigree aside, her physical stands up as well,” said Denali's Conrad Bandoroff. “She is a lovely filly. She carries herself with a lot of class and has a lot of presence. She knows she's special.”

Also on behalf of Don Alberto, Denali consigned Journalism at the Saratoga Sale two years ago.

“Of course, her pedigree speaks for itself,” added Bandoroff. “She is a half to a Classic winner and to the only horse in America that has won three Grade Is this year.”

And how does she stack up to her illustrious brother?

“She is the female version of Journalism,” confirmed Bandoroff. “You do see a lot of Mopotism in her, a lot of the Uncle Mo. When you look at her, what's not to like?”

Providing further luster to this year's catalog, Peter Blum Thoroughbreds offers Hip 10, a full-brother to National Treasure. The Jan. 19 foal, who is out of Treasure (Medaglia d'Oro), is consigned by agent Bridie Harrison, who also offered National Treasure at this venue in 2021.

“We really liked National Treasure as a foal so we decided to breed the mare back to Quality Road and that turned out to be a good thing,” said Harrison. “We have the full brother in the same stall [National Treasure] was is when we brought him here.”

Comparing the full brothers at the yearling stage in their development, Harrison explained, “They are very much alike. This colt might have a little longer neck, but they are very nice horses.”

Continuing the Classic theme in Saratoga, Mill Ridge Sales consigns Hip 209, a filly by four-time Grade I scorer Life is Good. The Feb. 22 foal is out of Smart Shopping (Smart Strike), making her a half-sister to Seize the Grey. The Kentucky-bred filly was bred by Jamm.

“The half siblings to Classic winners definitely add some excitement to the catalog,” said Browning. “It's also a reflection of the types of horses in the sale. It's a great attraction.”

If a Classic filly is more your jam, a stop by the Gainesway consignment might be in order. The consignment offers Hip 200, a filly by Gun Runner, also the first foal out of GI Kentucky Oaks heroine Shedaresthedevil (Daredevil). Purchased for $5 million at Fasig-Tipton November in 2021 by a partnership consisting of Whisper Hill Farm, Flurry Racing and Qatar Racing, the three-time Grade I winner and earner of $2.7 million was bought outright by Mandy Pope for the same sum at the venue one year later.

   This year's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga catalog also includes:

• Hip 12, a half-brother to GI Forego winner Mullikin (Violence). Consigned by Taylor Made Sales, the son of Liam's Map out of Tulira's Star (Congrats).
• Hip 29, a half-brother to dual Grade I winner Caravel (Mizzen Mast). Out of the Congrats mare Zeezee Zoomzoom, the Justify colt is offered by agent Hunter Valley Farm.
• Hip 173, a half-brother to last year's juvenile champion Citizen Bull (Into Mischief). By Mandaloun, the bay is out of unraced No Joke (Distorted Humor), a half-sister to Grade I winner Moonshine Memories (Malibu Moon). Taylor Made Sales consigns the Mar. 3 foal.
• Hip 102, a Flightline filly who is a half to two-time Grade I winning juvenile Cave Rock (Arrogate). The daughter of GSW Georgie's Angel (Bellamy Road) is consigned by Eaton Sales.
• Hip 117, a colt out of Hoppa (Uncle Mo), who is a full-brother to last season's GI Arkansas Derby scorer Muth. Also by Good Magic, the May 23 foal is offered by Gainseway, acting on behalf of breeder Don Alberto.

Given the economic play at the earlier sales in the calendar, Browning believes that the trend will continue at the halfway point of the sales season.

“All of our markets are inter-related,” explained Browning. “The 2-year-old sales were solid, and strong for the quality offerings. The July Sale was also solid, strong particularly for quality offerings. The Horses of Racing Age Sale in July, falls in line with the others. People want good horses, that's the bottom line.”

He added, “With what we've seen so far, it gives you confidence this week and heading through to the end of the year.”

Could there be another Classic winner looming among the 2025 class of yearlings at the Fasig-Tipton Sales Paddocks?

“Anybody that tells you they know which ones are going to be Classic winners are kidding themselves,” said Browning. “We had 2,500 yearlings nominated to our select sales process. We'll probably see 2,000 of those and we'll have three or four teams out at any point in time. We're fortunate that we have a fantastic group of horsemen and women out looking at horses.”

“Our reputation and everything that we do, whether it's in July or the Saratoga New York-bred Sale, it's [based on] physical horses. People come to Fasig-Tipton and they are looking for athletic, strong, well-conformed and balanced type of horses. That's been our bread-and-butter for 30 years. We have the best buyers in the world here, so these horses have to be able to sustain the scrutiny. And you hope they have the pedigree to go along with them. So, when a man or woman come on these sales grounds as a buyer, they're thinking this can be their dream horse.”

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