Average, median decline at Fasig-Tipton

A Florida-bred son of Congrats was hammered down to Sunset Stables for

$130,000 at Wednesday's third and final session of the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky

Fall Yearling Sale in Lexington, Kentucky. The March 3-foaled colt was consigned

by Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency, agent, and sported Hip No. 1147.

The dark bay was produced by White Ruffle (Vigors), who was multiple

stakes-placed in Ohio-bred company and a half-sister to stakes winner Mrs.

Ha Ha (Navajo). Another Ohio-bred stakes winner, Girlish Giggle (Evansville

Slew), hails from this immediate family.

The session-topper previously sold for $20,000 as an O.B.S. October weanling.

A daughter of Afleet Alex out of the unraced Summer Forest (Forestry) brought

$105,000 from Bo Hunt, agent. Consigned by Darby Dan Farm, agent, the May

15-foaled filly toured the ring as Hip 1020.

Summer Forest, a half-sister to the stakes-placed Leceile (Forest Camp),

hails from the family of Grade 3 winner Firm Pledge (Affirmed) and the Grade

3-placed multiple stakes winner Boston Express (Boston Harbor). Further back,

this female line yielded Grade 3 vixen Card Table (Bold Bidder).

Bringing $100,000 from Pacific Ocean Stables was Hip 1014, a Mr. Greeley colt

out of the stakes-winning Stormy Venus (Stormy Atlantic). Offered by Woodford

Thoroughbreds, agent for Woodford Foals, the Kentucky-bred has a birth date of

February 9.

Stormy Venus, a half-sister to Grade 2 winner Doubles Partner (Rock Hard

Ten), was produced by Serena's Sister (Rahy), a full sister to 2002 Hall of Fame

inductee Serena's Song, the 1995 champion three-year-old filly and earner of

more than $3.2 million. Serena's Song herself produced Group 1 winner

Sophisticat (Storm Cat) and Grade 2 winners Grand Reward (Storm Cat) and

Harlington (Unbridled).

Grade/Group 3 winners Alabama Nana (Ire) (Thatching), Vivid Imagination (Raise a

Man), Vocalised (Vindication) and Wander Mom (Maria's Mon) also hail from this family.

After selling concluded Wednesday, the Fasig-Tipton website reported 212

yearlings sold for $2,588,500, a decline of 16.8 percent over the corresponding

session a year ago when 197 head brought $3,112,800. The session average declined 22.7

percent, from $15,801 to $12,210, while the session median dipped 9.1 percent,

from $5,500 to $5,000.

The cumulative gross increased from the sale of more horses over last year,

but the declines during the final session dragged the sale's average and median

down. Over the course of the three-day auction, $9,395,300 was realized from the

sale of 690 horses, a 19 percent increase from the $7,895,400 grossed from 566

horses last year. However, the average declined 2.4 percent, from $13,949 to

$13,616, while the median dropped from $6,000 to $5,000, a rate of 16.7 percent.

For complete results, and updated numbers reflecting possible additional

private sales, please visit fasigtipton.com.