Ghostzapper Filly Tops F-T Pinhook Profits

Pinhookers who deal in the upper end of the bloodstock market had a very good Fasig-Tipton Saratoga selected yearling sale in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Aug. 8-9.

According to BloodHorse MarketWatch, of the 22 horses sold that were purchased as weanlings, 20 were profitable. As a group, the weanling-to-yearling pinhooks were bought for an average $182,273 and averaged $313,636 as yearlings.

Twelve yearlings that were bought earlier this year were sold at Saratoga, with 10 posting a profit. This group was purchased for an average price of $112,667 and averaged $238,8933 at the Fasig-Tipton sale.

The one-horse consignment from Andrew Motion’s Old Chapel Farm, a Ghostzapper   filly produced from the winning Elusive Quality   mare Amber Grace consigned as Hip 202, was the sale’s most profitable pinhook.

Produced from a half sister to multiple group I winner Russian Rhythm and group II winner Perfectperformance, the filly was bought for $65,000 from the Paramount Sales consignment at the Keeneland November breeding stock sale.

After deducting the sales company's 5% commission, the filly's net price at Saratoga was $270,750. Subtracting Old Chapel's total investment (previous sale price plus upkeep, estimated at $10,000 from weanling to yearling) left Motion with a $195,750 profit, an impressive 261% return on investment.

Motion, who began his pinhooking venture four years ago, said having a yearling in the Saratoga sale was part of his effort to upgrade the quality of horses he was buying and selling.

"You give yourself a much better shot if you have better quality horses," the consignor said.