Fasig-Tipton hosts 90th annual Selected Yearlings Sale at Saratoga

Fasig-Tipton hosts 90th annual Selected Yearlings Sale at

Saratoga

Fasig-Tipton has cataloged 202 yearlings for its 90th annual Selected

Yearlings Sale at Saratoga, which will be held on Monday and Tuesday at its

newly renovated Humphrey S. Finney Pavilion. Hip Nos. 1 to 100 will be

offered on Monday evening, and Hip Nos. 101 to 202 on Tuesday evening, with both

sessions beginning at 7 p.m. (EDT).

"This year's catalog is one of the finest collections of yearlings we have

assembled in recent memory," Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning said. "Last

year's sale saw an increase in international participation that enabled us to

offer more diverse pedigrees.

"In addition to the leading sires of North America, European sires Cape

Cross (Ire), Dubawi and Oasis Dream (GB) will be represented."

Executive Vice-President Dan Pride commented on the importance of Saratoga to Fasig-Tipton.

"Our ambition for Saratoga is to maintain and improve its place as one of the

most successful and enjoyable yearling auctions in the world," Pride said. "We have again

partnered with the New York Racing Association to provide a spectacular Festival

of Racing the preceding weekend.

"This year, visitors will continue to experience extensive and exciting

renovations to the sales grounds."

Commenting on the renovated sales pavilion, Pride noted that it "will further enhance our overall commitment to provide for

sellers and buyers the best possible sales venues for Thoroughbreds wherever we

operate."

For the first time, Fasig-Tipton will offer video clips for yearlings offered

at this year's Saratoga Selected Yearlings sale on the company's website at www.fasigtipton.com. 

The yearling video clips consist of a headshot, walking, and a "profile"

conformation shot.

Users have the choice of watching a compilation of all yearling video clips

on the Fasig-Tipton TV section of the website (F-T TV), or may select individual

hips to view by proceeding to the Saratoga "Interactive Catalog" page

(Saratoga Interactive Catalog).  Virtual Inspections can also be viewed

on mobile devices via Fasig-Tipton's new mobile catalog section (Mobile

Catalog).

The Virtual Yearling Inspection videos can also be shared through the video

player's "Share with Friends" icon, which offers the capability to quickly

e-mail, link, or embed a yearling video clip on various social media outlets. 

"These Virtual Inspections provide another tool for buyers, particularly

those that cannot attend the sale in person, to get a visual feel for the

yearlings they are interested in," Vice President of Sales Bayne Welker said.

"These videos are of the highest quality, and should prove a valuable resource

for buyers and sellers alike."

Fasig-Tipton's New York-bred

Preferred Yearling Sale will follow on Saturday and Sunday evenings, also

beginning at 7 p.m. The catalog features a total of 175 selected offerings.

"New York breeders have been very proactive in maintaining the quality of

their Thoroughbred program in the face of the challenges posed by the economy

and the political realities in New York,"

Browning said. "Then there is the success of New York-breds like Grade 1 and 2

winners Franny Freud and Haynesfield, as well as dual two-year-old stakes-winner

Final Mesa, who came from the 2009 New York-bred Sale.

"One look at the list of sires represented in the sale tells an encouraging

tale.  By far the majority of the 94 colts and 81 fillies we will offer are

by stallions prominent on the national scene. And there is every reason to

expect the racing picture for New York-breds to be healthier when these

yearlings reach the racetrack in a year or so from now."

For catalogs as well as live webcast of the auctions, visit fasigtipton.com.