Ghostzapper filly tops Fasig-Tipton October opener

Jay Em Ess Stable was the winning bidder at $275,000 on a filly by Ghostzapper that topped the first session of Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale on Monday at the Newtown Paddocks in Lexington. Consigned by Legacy Bloodstock, agent, the April New York-bred was offered as Hip No. 96.

The session-topper is out of the Birdstone mare Princesa de Papi, a half-sister to the stakes winners Silent Bird and A Brilliant Idea, as well as the Grade 2-placed Morgan's Guerilla.

A Tapit half-sister to Grade 2 winner Winning Cause sold to Mathis Stables for $250,000. Consigned by Gainesway, agent, the February 11 Kentucky-bred sported Hip 131.

Out of Raffishing Look, by Kingmambo, the yearling is from the extended family of Irish highweight Refuse to Bend and Grade 1 winners Twilight Agenda, Media Puzzle, Rich Tapestry, and Emerging Talent.

The leading colt of the session, by Ghostzapper, was gaveled down to Superfine Farm for $180,000 Hip 63 was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent.

The March 30 California-bred is a half-brother to Grade 3 scorer La Traviata, the dam of multiple Group 1 winner Seventh Heaven, Group 1 scorer Crusade, and the Group 2-placed Cristoforo Colombo and Coat of Arms. Both the yearling and La Traviata were reared by Piedras Negras, by Unbridled.

With the auction expanded from three days to four this year, the session saw declines in gross compared to last year's opening day. On Monday, 230 yearlings sold for $6,479,500, a decline of 22 percent from a year ago when 246 head brought $8,306,400. The average and median were also down, the average dropping 16.6 percent, from $33,766 to $28,172, and the median 21.6 percent, from $12,750 to $10,000.

The sale continues daily through Thursday with sessions beginning at 10 a.m. (EDT). Full results can be found at fasig-tipton.com.