Fasig-Tipton's Pride in Classic Winner Mage

What makes a sale successful?

The immediate tangible success comes from selling a high percentage of horses through the ring, finishing with a low RNA rate. Also, recording gross figures which have sustained or risen, and the market indicators trending upward, with the average price establishing new records and the median holding in the market throughout the year.

The intangible success you see in yearlings and juveniles won't come to fruition a year or more after the sale has ended. The Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Sale saw that accomplishment come full circle May 6 when Mage , a graduate of last year's sale, stormed home during the 149th Kentucky Derby (G1). 

"Over the last decade, we've seen this sale emerge as a 'can't miss' stop on the sales calendar for leading buyers worldwide. The great success of its graduates has helped the sale; you've got Mage, who won the Derby. Faiza  is an undefeated graduate of last year and will likely be at short odds in the Black-Eyed Susan (G2). In addition, we have other horses like Mimi Kakushi , who won the UAE Oaks (G3), and Switzerland , who has been a tremendous performer in Dubai for several years," Fasig-Tipton president and CEO Boyd Browning Jr. said. "The quality of horses over the last decade has been outstanding. Buyers from around the world are now drawn to attend the sale and shop for high-quality horses."

The classic success gives Browning affirmation in the process he and his team work toward each year in sourcing quality individuals for each of its sales. As all eyes turn to the 148th Preakness Stakes (G1) May 20, hoping to see the road to the Triple Crown continue in the $290,000 son of Good Magic  , Browning will be rooting for the home team in the Midlantic graduate. 

"Anytime you sell a classic winner, there is a great sense of pride, excitement, and enthusiasm. It validates what everyone gets up and goes to work for every day," Browning commented. "You root for the horses and feel like we own a piece of the horses that we have sold. We have continued interest in them; we cheer for those horses and their connections. It's part of the relationship we have with our buyers and sellers. We take great pride when you see a horse you've sold achieve success at a very high level. This horse (Mage), in particular, is special; his win came two weeks before this sale, and one of the principals in the ownership group is Ramiro Restrepo, who has been associated with our company as a South Florida representative for several years. He's a great guy and has done an amazing job in representing the industry, not just Fasig-Tipton, but with the press, and how they've handled the success of the victory has been really positive."

This year the May 22 and 23 auction will offer 603 juveniles for consideration and likely a few future stars for their new connections. Horses took to the dirt track May 16-18 at the Timonium State Fairgrounds, breezing for viewers, offering a glimpse of what the future looks like on the oval.

Browning added: "It validates what we are trying to do; every sales company wants to sell successful horses. It reflects the quality of horses that the consignors are bringing to us. I think it instills confidence amongst everybody that we do business with. For this sale, short term and long term, the list of Derby winners and Triple Crown horses that we have sold is remarkable and hopefully further enhances our reputation."