$430,000 Tapit filly highlights F-T New York-Bred Sale

A filly by Tapit commanded the highest-ever price at Fasig Tipton's New

York-Bred Sale when selling for $430,000 to Steve Young, agent for Cobra Farm,

during Sunday night's closing session. Cataloged as Hip No. 379, the March

28-foaled bay was consigned by Gainesway, agent.

Young had likewise snapped up the top seller at Saturday night's opener, when

he secured a War Front filly for $300,000 for an undisclosed client.

The record-setter was emblematic of the overall health of the two-session

sale held in Saratoga Springs. Fasig-Tipton reported that 196 yearlings brought

a cumulative total of $14,206,000, a spike of 64.6 percent from the $8,632,000

realized by 138 horses last year. The overall average rose 15.9 percent, from

$62,551 to $72,480, while the median posted a 10-percent gain, from $50,000 to

$55,000.

The Tapit filly is the second registered foal from stakes heroine Miss

Challenge (More Than Ready). The winner of the 2008 Statuette S. on the turf at

Belmont Park, Miss Challenge retired with a record of 8-3-0-2, $124,372.

Miss Challenge is a half-sister to talented sprinter Ventana (Toccet), who

captured the 2010 Potrero Grande H. (G2) and the 2011 Maryland Sprint H. (G3)

while bankrolling $383,106. She descends from the same female line as champion

Lord Avie (Lord Gaylord) and Grade 1 hero Stephen Got Even (A.P. Indy), both

sires.

A little later on Sunday, a chestnut daughter of Speightstown was purchased

by Cheyenne Stables for $300,000. Indian Creek, agent, offered the half-sister

to stakes scorers Willard Straight (Lion Cavern) and Jesse's Justice (Lear Fan)

as Hip 392.

The April 28 foal was produced by the unraced Chief's Crown mare My Reem,

herself a half-sister to multiple English stakes queen Knoosh (Storm Bird), who

finished fourth in the 1989 Oaks at Epsom. Her extended family includes multiple

Chilean champion Ballistic (Barkerville), the 2001 Horse of the Year and 2003

co-Horse of the Year.

That price equaled the $300,000 paid for Saturday's session leader, the War

Front filly from the Sienna Farms consignment. Listed as Hip 207, the February 4

bay is out of the winning Unrepentant (Pleasant Tap), an earner of $209,345 from

a record of 52-8-8-12.

The yearling's second dam is the multiple stakes-placed Roadie (Gate Dancer),

and she hails from the family of ill-fated multiple Grade 3 victor Sailor's Cap

(Distant View).

Second on Saturday's leaderboard was a $250,000 son of Midnight Lute, who

ended up being the most expensive colt at the entire sale. William Schettine

bought Hip 350, who was consigned by Denali Stud (Craig and Holly Bandoroff),

agent for Gallagher's Stud.

The May 10 dark bay was produced by the winning Tale of the Cat mare

Krakowviak. The mare is a half-sister to Grade 3 victress Antoniette (Nicholas)

-- the dam of multiple Grade 1-winning millionaire Switch (Quiet American) -- as

well as to multiple stakes scorer French Charmer (French Deputy).

On Saturday, 95 yearlings brought $6,427,500, a 75.8 percent jump from the

$3,657,000 raked in by 64 sellers at the 2012 opener. The first night recorded

an 18.4 increase in the average price, from $57,141 to $67,658, and the median

climbed 10 percent, from $50,000 to $55,000.

Sunday night also witnessed double-digit gains across the board. During the

final session, 101 New York-breds sold for $7,778,500, an increase of 56.4

percent from the $4,975,000 grossed by 74 yearlings a year ago. The average of

$77,015 was 14.6 percent higher than last year's $67,230, and the median rose

from $46,000 to $55,000, a 19.6 percent gain.

For complete results, log onto

fasigtipton.com.