Masiello Acquires Fiya for $400,000 at Wanamaker's Sale
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Photo: Courtesy of Wanamaker’s
The 3-year-old Friesan Fire gelding Fiya
Fiya, a 3-year-old gelded son of Friesan Fire who impressed in a last-out turf test July 17 at Laurel Park, was purchased by Robert Masiello for $400,000 to top the July online auction conducted by Wanamaker's.
The Maryland-bred campaigned by breeder Ann Merryman's The Orebanks posted a 98 Beyer and 9 Ragozin in his most recent effort, a three-length score going 5 1/2 furlongs on a firm turf course. Trained by Michael Merryman, Fiya broke his maiden in his turf debut at Laurel June 26 in his third start.
Masiello, who won a spirited bidding war to buy Fiya in the one-day online auction, said the gelding will be sent to trainer Tom Albertrani.
Fiya was produced from the winning Two Punch mare Sista and descends from the female family of stakes winners Jeweler's Choice, Royal Edict, Midas, and London Market.
"He's been really impressive this year, and his last race certainly hinted that he might have some star quality," Masiello said. "I was a bit nervous about participating in an online auction, but the experience was very seamless and intuitive. I'm really looking forward to getting Fiya into Tom Albertrani's program, and hopefully we can have some fun."
When asked about the decision to sell in an online auction, Ann Merryman said, "I loved the transparency of putting Fiya (up) for sale for everyone to see. This enabled me to get market value for a horse without taking it out of training and shipping it to a sale. The team at Wanamaker's was exceptional, and I really believe they are moving the industry in a great direction with their platform; the monthly sales will enable so many more owners to capitalize throughout the year."
Wanamaker's second-ever auction was rounded out by the sales of Gymnastic for $25,000, Pupetta for $5,000, and Mixology for $4,000 from 13 offered.
"The streamlined platform and timing of auctions at wanamakers.com provides an opportunity for industry participants to buy and sell at the right time with less hassle," Wanamaker's said of its auction platform. "In addition to an unwavering commitment to its customers, Wanamaker's is committed to the Thoroughbred industry and the lifeblood of the industry, the horse. To show this commitment, Wanamaker's contributes 1% of total sales to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and requires sellers to contribute .05% of their total sales to the TAA as well."