Cal-Breds Highlight Fasig-Tipton California Sale

A large contingent of California-breds make up the bulk of the catalog for the Sept. 24 Fasig-Tipton California fall yearling sale. The sale, which will be held at Fairplex in Pomona beginning at 11 a.m. PT with 279 cataloged, has produced major Cal-bred stakes winners Big City Lights  and Ceiling Crusher .

Ceiling Crusher, an RNA in the 2022 sale's horses of all ages portion, won the $1 million Cotillion Stakes (G1) at Parx Racing in 2023 and went on to be named the year's champion Cal-bred 3-year-old female. Big City Lights, a $22,000 graduate of the 2020 sale and on the cover of this year's catalog, won this year's Palos Verdes Stakes (G3) Feb. 10 at Santa Anita Park. He is a nominee to the Sept. 29 Santa Anita Sprint Championship (G2).

Both Ceiling Crusher and Big City Lights are by deceased California sire Mr. Big  . That stallion has a colt in the catalog, hip 107, consigned by Kim McCarthy's McCarthy Bloodstock Agency. The yearling is out of the Mshawish  mare Oscar Nod , a half sister to graded stakes winner Dance to the Music .

Mr. Big is currently ranked seventh among California-based sires by 2024 progeny earnings. All six ahead of him—Stay Thirsty  , Grazen , Smiling Tiger  , Clubhouse Ride , I'll Have Another , and Sir Prancealot  —also have yearlings in the catalog.

"There is a great diversity of sire power, with both leading West Coast sires and national sires represented," said Fasig-Tipton California representative Mike Machowsky. "While this sale primarily showcases the best of the California breeding program, there are several leading national sires represented as well."

Barton Thoroughbreds, the leading California breeder of 2023, is bringing a large consignment, including the only yearling filly in the catalog by promising first-crop sire McKinzie  . The Cal-bred, hip 180, is out of the winning Tapit   mare Tap Tap Ur It , who has produced stakes winner Tap Back   and stakes-placed Cholly .

Barton's previous horses to come out of the sale include stakes winner Pushiness , and Barton is bringing a half sister to her. The Cal-bred filly, hip 39, is by Known Agenda   out of the Empire Maker  mare Imperial Pippin .

Loveacres Ranch, agent, has consigned a McKinzie colt, Hip 64. The colt is out of the winning Sharp Humor mare Lotta Attitude, who has produced four winners from as many starters.

Perennial leading California breeder Harris Farms, which is also bringing a large consignment, sold last year's $250,000 sale topper, an as-yet unraced 2-year-old colt by Vronsky  now named Miles Finch. The Harris consignment includes a half sister to that sale topper, hip 278. That filly is by Acclamation  —Seasontoperfection , by Poteen , making her a full sister to multiple stakes winner Kings River Knight , who is three for three in 2024.

The Harris group also includes one of the two in the sale (after announced outs) by Practical Joke   and the only yearling by Sharp Azteca . Hip 202 is a Practical Joke filly out of the Elusive Quality  mare Yankee Bright , a half sister to four stakes winners. Hip 133 is a daughter of Sharp Azteca out of the Orientate  mare Roo Dew , a full sister to grade 1 winner Intangaroo . Sharp Azteca is the sire of Southern California sensation Sweet Azteca , a grade 1 winner riding a four-race winning streak, including three graded victories, and is nominated to the Oct. 5 Chillingworth Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita.