Cold No Deterrent Ahead Of Monday’s Fasig-Tipton Winter Mixed Sale

[Wandering Eyes]

The 2026 Fasig-Tipton Winter Mixed Sale opens for a single-day session in a frigid Lexington, Kentucky, Monday at Newtown Paddocks with bidding set to begin at 10 a.m. on 411 catalogued entries.

And while temperatures have failed to eclipse the freezing mark for days and wind chills below zero have left buyers and consignors alike with the shivers, there was an overwhelming sense of optimism headed into Monday's action.

“We've got a very good catalogue,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. “There's literally something for everybody in here. There's some really nice top offerings with mares like Icreamuscream and Elle Sueno (in foal to Curlin) at Hill 'n' Dale. There's some really high-end stuff. And there are a lot of nice short yearlings on the grounds too. It's a very interesting catalogue full of attractive racing or broodmare prospects. The market's been good and we're optimistic. It's going to continue to be an emphasis on quality that we've seen in recent years and I expect that to continue throughout all of 2026.”

Hill 'n' Dale consigns not one but two mares in foal to their top stallion, with GI La Troienne Stakes third Ava's Grace (Laoban) (hip 126) joining a Grade I-placed producer in Elle Sueno (Street Cry {Ire}) (hip 193).

Consignors have also been busy with the short yearling market, with Paramount Sales's Lesley Campion saying activity had been extremely high despite the conditions.

“The weather has been brutal,” said Campion. “But traffic the last few days has been great, very healthy. I think the average showing on our [short yearlings] was around 57. I feel as though the folks that are coming out to see them are here in earnest because [the weather] weeds out less-serious buyers.”

Paramount Sales consigns nine short yearlings by young sires with upcoming first crops such as Arcangelo, Elite Power, Jackie's Warrior, Mage and Pappacap along with more established sires like Authentic and Practical Joke.

“We have a ton of new stallions here in the Bluegrass,” Campion said. “And folks have seasons they need filled. There's always a market for a good foal. If a buyer wanted to grab something to go to [Fasig-Tipton] Saratoga, or something to represent them in the first couple of books at [Keeneland] September, this is the last chance to do so. There should certainly be a lovely, buoyant market for those types. The market has been very encouraging these last couple of sales. It's been very strong. I don't see any reason that it wouldn't be just as strong Monday.”

There was plenty of action Saturday despite the cold in Kentucky | Fasig-Tipton

Vinery Sales also brings in a strong consignment, with Derek MacKenzie also noting that the cold had failed to keep anyone away.

“Traffic's been great,” said MacKenzie. “Even though the weather's been bad, it doesn't look like it's stopping anybody from coming out. We're feeling good about it. I think it'll be another strong sale. Both November and January, pretty much all of the mixed sales, have been strong. This one should be too.”

Fasig-Tipton has struck a delicate balance now between their in-person and digital sales, with Browning viewing them as complimentary to one another instead of competitive.

“There's certain times and places where one makes more sense than the other,” Browning said. “We're very comfortable with our schedule. There are always opportunities to add a horse, whether it be to a live sale or to a digital sale. For instance, a mare like Iscreamuscream, who was added into the supplement catalogue. It's a great opportunity for people to come and see her in person with a sale coming up. And then, if next week or two weeks from now, a top filly or mare becomes available, then we've got a great digital platform for that like we did last year with Soul of an Angel. There's something [for everyone] when the need arises.”

During the 2025 rendition of the Fasig-Tipton Winter Mixed Sale, a colt by Curlin out of GISW Unbridled Mo, now a 2-year-old named National Champion, brought the day's top price of $775,000. At the session's conclusion, a total of 260 head sold for $11,495,500. The average was $44,213 and the median was $17,000.

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