Black High on PA-Bred Short Yearlings for Fasig-Tipton

The Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Winter Mixed sale begins Feb. 5 and will feature a pair of first-crop Pennsylvania-bred short yearlings from Blackstone Farm consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency.

Horses bred by the farm that led breeders of Pennsylvania-breds for four straight years from 2019-22 have included multiple graded stakes-winning millionaire Tom's Ready , and graded stakes winners The Critical Way , Roses for Debra , and Dark Nile . The next batch of Pennsylvania-bred stars could be available at Fasig-Tipton.

"We thought these were some nice individuals that other people will find attractive," said Blackstone Farm's managing partner Christian Black. "I'm sure these horses will be on their list."

Black has experienced success with the February sale before, stating the market has been fairly strong at this sale each year.

"It's providing the market with some opportunities to buy some nice horses," Black said.

Hip 258 is a colt from the first crop of Spendthrift stallion Yaupon   out of the Bernardini mare Sweet Promises . All three of Sweet Promises foals to race have won. This will be the second time Black brings the colt to the Fasig-Tipton sales ring after he RNA'd for $70,000 at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton November Sale.

"He fell through the cracks," Black said before stating he has developed into a very nice horse since then. "We are very excited about him."

Yaupon, a grade 1-winning sprinter, offered speed that Black desired to add to the pedigree.

"This mare probably needs a little bit of speed," Black said. "She's from a very good family. Modernist is in her pedigree. It was a good physical match and we got what we wanted out of the mating."

Black also brings to the sale Hip 378, a colt out of English Channel's Channel Princess , who is a full sister to grade 1 winner Channel Cat  . Black purchased the mare while she was already in foal to WinStar Farm's Independence Hall  .

Black, who has a few horses from Independence Hall's first crop, sees no reason as to why his sire, Constitution  , won't prove to be a sire of sires.

"He's a nice representative of his sire," Black said of the Independence Hall colt. "He has some of those things that the Constitution line might sometimes lack. This is a very substantial, very well-boned, a lot of substance horse."

Black has seen a lot of change in the demand for Pennsylvania-breds since beginning his operation in 2010. He cites a strong Pennsylvania-restricted racing program for helping give owners a "fallback" plan to go after commercial pedigrees.

"The Pennsylvania program is very attractive because it gives people a chance to get their money back," Black said. "It doesn't have to be a world-beater to come out and make you some money and have some fun with it. Pennsylvania has shown they can breed and race a very good horse."