Optimism High for Fasig-Tipton July, Yearling Season

Fasig-Tipton's July Selected Yearling Sale, scheduled July 14, launches the yearling sales season in North America, turning the page to an exciting chapter packed with debut offerings from 19 first-crop stallions.

A total of 238 yearlings have been cataloged for the one-day sale, which immediately will be followed by Fasig-Tipton's July Selected Horses of Racing Age Sale. 

"We're happy to be kicking off the yearling sales season. It's always fun to get the process started," said Boyd Browning, CEO and president of Fasig-Tipton. "We've had a lot of activity on the sales grounds since Saturday. I've seen a lot of nice horses, and I've seen a lot of the type of buyers that you would hope to be in attendance at the sale.

"There will certainly be some element of selectivity, but overall, we're very positive, very enthusiastic, and ready to get going."

Consignors and buyers alike have shared the same enthusiasm going into the sale.

"I'm very optimistic. I think that on the macro picture of the horse business, there's a lot going on," said Mark Taylor, CEO and president of Taylor Made. "There are things like FanDuel TV going away, and there's tracks closing, and there's a lot of fear out there. 

"On the other hand, racing in Kentucky is just phenomenal. Kentucky Downs is doing great. Racing at Oaklawn is phenomenal. I think that racing in Florida is still good. California has its struggles, but New York's getting ready to open the new Belmont. The places where it's strong, it's very, very strong. I think people are gravitating there. 

"There's a lot of money to run for, and I think, despite our problems, there's still a lot of enthusiasm out there to race horses."

Taylor Made will offer Hip 52, a filly by first-crop sire Two Phil's  , who received a timely update last weekend when her half brother Booked  (Yaupon  ) dominated the Sanford Stakes (G3) July 4 at Saratoga Race Course. 

READ: Taylor Made Offers Half Sister to Booked 

Each July, much of the auction buzz surrounds first-crop sires, whose unproven offspring offer buyers exciting commercial promise.

"It's always an interesting group, and I think this year is maybe a little bit more interesting than some years," Browning said. "There seems to be a high level of interest in them, as there always is. The thing that we've seen also in recent years is the success on the racetrack of the offspring by these young stallions, which always reinforces the need and demand for these 'unproven' stallions."

First-crop sire and 2023 Horse of the Year Cody's Wish   is represented by just one yearling in the sale—Hip 193, a filly out of the stakes-winning Take Charge Indy   mare Takechargedelilah, who is a half sister to millionaire and multiple stakes winner Mo Dont No (Uncle Mo).

Hip 193 was bred in Kentucky by Brookstone Farm and LPM Services. She is consigned by St George Sales, agent.

Fasig-Tipton's July Horses of Racing Age Sale received a major boost Sunday evening with the exciting supplemental entry of Indiana Derby (G3) runner-up Our Moneyman  (Hip 365). The Louisiana-bred son of Mr. Money   ran a game race to finish second by a neck to Leading Change , even after jockey Axel Concepcion lost his crop coming down the stretch.

Prior to his start in the Indiana Derby, Our Moneyman finished second to Bluegrass Stakes (G1) winner Further Ado  in the Matt Winn Stakes (G3) June 7 at Churchill Downs. He has hit the board in all nine of his career starts, banking earnings of $392,067. 

Hunter Valley Farm, agent for Allied Racing, will consign the 3-year-old colt.

Among those looking for experienced racehorses is bloodstock agent Pedro Lanz.

Lanz, on behalf of KAS Stables, has been one of this year's top buyers of juveniles. He is mainly on the hunt for older horses of racing age, specifically ones to point toward the big races on Saudi Cup (G1) day. 

"Sometimes we take a look at the 2-year-olds, I saw a nice group of 2-year-olds here—winners, and horses that have placed, but mostly we're looking for horses of racing age—3 and 4 years old." 

Browning was proud of the catalog his team put together for the Horses of Racing Age Sale. 

"It's a very good group of horses," Browning said. "We were very fortunate to add a really nice horse at the end of the sale. We've seen a lot of strong results both in the sales ring and on the racetrack from graduates of this sale in the past five years. 

"People are very comfortable bringing a nice horse here. People are very comfortable buying a nice horse here. Expect to see some fireworks in the Horses of Racing Age Sale."

Last year's yearling sale saw 159 horses change hands for gross receipts of $16,968,000, including private sales. The average price was $106,717, with a median of $90,000. Fifty-nine horses failed to meet their reserve, resulting in an RNA rate of 27.6%.

A colt by Jack Christopher   topped the sale at $350,000, selling to CHC and Maverick Racing. Kenny McPeek was the sale's leading buyer with eight purchases totaling $1,445,000, and Gainesway led the consignors selling 17 from their draft for $2,440,000.

The Horses of Racing Age Sale saw a record result in 2025 when Bashford Manor Stakes winner Romeo  topped the sale at $1.7 million when selling to Mahmud Mouni. 

A total of 51 horses brought $8,037,000, including private sales, with an average price of $157,588. The median was a healthy $95,000. Three horses failed to meet their reserve.

Mouni's two purchases totaling $1,925,000 put him atop the buyers. Taylor Made led the consignors with 12 horses bringing $2,310,000.

The sale will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday with Hips 1-238 set to go through the ring, followed by Hips 302-365 for the Horses of Racing Age Sale. As of Monday evening, Fasig-Tipton had reported 36 outs for the yearling session and 19 outs for the Horses of Racing Age Sale.