Owner Farmer Active During New York-Bred Sale Opener

Kentucky horseman Tracy Farmer, represented by agent Lincoln Collins, was among the most active buyers during the Aug. 11 opening session of the New York-Bred Preferred Yearlings Sale conducted by Fasig-Tipton.

Topping Farmer's purchases was a $400,000 Ghostzapper  colt produced from the multiple stakes-winning Smoke Glacken mare Clear Pasaj and from the female family of English champion Gentle Thoughts and French group 1 winner Treizieme. The colt was bred in New York by Anges Farm and consigned as Hip 384 by Thomas J. Gallo III Sales Agency.

"He was a very nice horse," said Collins, who was accompanied by trainer Mark Casse as he bid on the colt. "There was a lot of interest in the horse, and it was clear we were going to have to give it a go."

"We got a lot of vet actions, so I was hoping for $250,000-$300,000," consignor Gallo said. "This is your dream, when something comes  together like this. It exceeded my expectations."

Gallo said the colt was raised at Ocala Stud in Florida and prepped for the sale by Peter O'Callaghan's Woods Edge Farm near Lexington.

"The horse makes us all look like geniuses," Gallo said, adding that the colt is the most expensive he has ever sold.

Farmer also purchased anEmpire Maker  colt for $225,000. Consigned as Hip 313 by RFHF Bloodstock, agent, the colt is out of the multiple stakes-winning, grade 1-placed Congrats  mare Toasting. Farmer's Final purchase of the evening was Hip 394, a Constitution filly out of the Indian Charlie mare Delightfully So. Bred by chairman of the Breeders' Cup board of directors Fred W. Hertrich III and his partner John D. Fielding, Farmer purchased the filly for $210,000 from the consignment of Taylor Made Sales Agency. 

Collins said New York-breds have a lot to offer owners because the quality of the horses offered at auction has improved and the state's incentive program offers a lucrative reason to invest.

"We're just looking for good racehorses," Collins said. "This sale has clearly shown in the last few years it can produce a horse that can go a long way, and that gives buyers confidence. The pedigrees are here, and the individuals are here to back it up. Obviously, we hope horses with this kind of money perform at the top level. But you do have a fallback as well that gives you more confidence."

Teresa Genaro contributed to this story.