Booming start to Saratoga Sale with Nyquist colt on top
The opening session of this year’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale produced 15 seven-figure yearlings, led by a US$3.2 million Nyquist colt purchased by Boyd Racing in a sign that the top end of the US bloodstock market remains strong.
A year after a record-breaking Saratoga Sale, the opening session grossed $54.395 million from 79 yearlings sold, up from $39.975 million for 77 lots at the corresponding session last year, while the average rose 32.6 per cent to $688,544 and the median increased 25 per cent to $500,000.
The $3.2 million Nyquist colt was purchased by Randy and Jenny Boyd’s Boyd Racing, with Brittany Linton acting as agent, and was consigned by Gainesway for breeder Stonestreet Farm.
Nyquist sired three seven-figure yearlings during the session, while Gun Runner was represented by four, including two that sold for $2.3 million and $1.9 million.
The $2.3 million Gun Runner colt was purchased by trainer Wesley Ward, while a $2.3 million Into Mischief colt was bought by Flying Dutchmen.
Bloodstock agent Donato Lanni, bidding for Zedan Racing, paid $2 million for a Curlin colt, while Mitsu Nakauchida went to $1.9 million for a Not This Time filly.
Coolmore’s MV Magnier and White Birch Farm also paid $1.9 million for a Gun Runner colt offered as the final lot of the session.
Three yearlings sold for $1.5 million, including an Uncle Mo colt from the family of Hall of Fame mare Rachel Alexandra purchased by B-4 Farms and a Quality Road filly bought by Boyd Racing.
The session’s other million-dollar yearlings included a $1.375 million Nyquist filly purchased by Blue Devil Racing, a $1.15 million Gun Runner filly bought by RTM Racing and a $1.075 million Candy Ride filly purchased by Legion Bloodstock/Gracie Bloodstock.
Three further yearlings sold for $1 million, by Life Is Good, Nyquist and Tiz the Law respectively, while the session recorded an 18.5 per cent buyback rate.
“Literally from beginning to end, the energy was palpable. The bidding activity was very, very, very, strong. Tremendous session,” Fasig-Tipton president Boyd Browning said.
“We were optimistic when we put together the Saratoga catalog. We were more optimistic than when the horses unloaded off the vans and we saw them on the sales grounds. We got even more optimistic as we saw the level of activity on the sales grounds with people looking, got even more optimistic … in terms of repository activity. But despite our optimism, it exceeded our expectations.”
The second session starts at 8.30am (AEST) on Wednesday.
