Violence Colt Tops Day 1 at F-T New York Bred Sale

The first of two sessions for the Fasig-Tipton New York Bred Yearlings Sale got off to a flying start Aug. 13, seeing a colt by Violence   top Sunday after commanding top dollar from Baccari Bloodstock at $380,000, just four horses into the sale.

Consigned by Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa as Hip 306, the colt was purchased for a partnership led by country music star Toby Keith of Dream Walkin Farms and included trainer Kenny McPeek's Magdalena Racing.

Plans for the Fred W. Hertrich-bred are in the works to race the colt in the Empire State and partake in a lucrative state-bred program.The bay is the second foal out of the winning Liam's Map   mare Liam's Lookout, a half sibling to grade 2 winner Itsaknockout , and grade 3 placed Hot Sean .

"We had an excellent opening session to the 2023 New York-bred yearling sale," Fasig-Tipton president and CEO Boyd Browning said. "The average and median were up. The RNA rate is up somewhat, but I thought it was a consistent sale. It seemed a bit sticky initially, but the higher RNA rate smoothed out as the night went on."

Fasig-Tipton reports 53 of the 81 yearlings through the ring were sold for gross figures of $5,999,000, a 13.1% decrease year-on-year. The sales were suitable for an average price of $113,189 (an increase of 5% over 2022), and the median rose to $100,000, showing an increase of 29.9%. An RNA rate of 34.6% represents the 28 horses that failed to sell.

During last year's opening session, 64 of the 84 yearlings on offer were sold for a gross of $6,900,000 at an average price of $107,813 and a median of $77,000.There were 20 individuals who failed to sell on 2022's Day 1, accounting for an RNA rate of 23.8%

During Sunday's opening session, six yearlings were sold to five distinct buyers for $200,000 or more.

The top ten horses were by sires Violence (Hip 306—$380,000), Improbable   (Hip 372—$300,000), Gun Runner   (Hip 369—$290,000), Frosted   (Hip 396-$250,000), Vekoma   (Hip 349—$235,000 and Hip 354—$200,000), Street Boss  (Hip 395—$200,000), Maclean's Music   (Hip 381—$200,000), Practical Joke   (Hip 390—$180,000), and Lookin At Lucky   (Hip 365—$180,000).

"We may have created a false sense of enthusiasm coming off the Select Sale, but people quickly adjusted," Browning commented. "Today was a solid sale. Last year was record-breaking, and we improved in two key categories, and that's an excellent start."

Taproot Bloodstock made three purchases for a gross of $550,000, at an average price of $183,333, to be the Day 1 leading buyer. Those purchases included Hip 325, a filly by Instagrand   from McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds, for $100,000; the $200,000 colt by Street Boss from the Winter Quarter Farm draft; and the Indian Creek consigned Frosted filly for $250,000.

Taylor Made Sales Agency closed out the first day selling five of their nine-horse draft for gross receipts of $715,000 and an average price of $143,000 to be Sunday's leading consignor by gross.

Browning added: "We've got a full day [Monday], and we'll be better able to assess the overall market then. I'm looking forward to another good day."

The sale concludes Aug. 14, with Hips 401-664 scheduled to head through the ring beginning at noon. As of Sunday evening, 27 horses were withdrawn from the final session.