The Fasig-Tipton Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training that begins with breezes today and tomorrow begins — as these always do — with optimism. With fancy pedigrees on offer and deep-pocketed connections in town, the opportunity for a big sale is always there.
What’s more, the sale has earned a reputation as a place where a buyer can find a runner. Yesteryear sales grad Xtra Heat — just a $5,000 purchase here — will enter racing’s Hall of Fame in August. The cover for this year’s sale catalog features Grade 1 winners Bayern, Dortmund, and Materiality — all grads of this event.
“Our Midlantic Two-Year-Olds Sale has had positive momentum for the last several years,” Midlantic sales director Paget Bennett said in a release. “Prospective buyers will find quality horses for all budgets, as well as increased sire power in this year’s catalogue.”
There were 490 horses in the catalog before scratches, down from 580 a year ago.
Breezes will take place this morning and Thursday morning, both starting at 8:00 a.m. The sale itself will take place Monday and Tuesday, May 19 and 19, beginning at 10:00 a.m. both days. More coverage to come in the following days.
Some numbers (all before scratches):
[su_box title=”MIDLANTIC-BREDS BY STATE” style=”glass”]- Pennsylvania — 37
- Maryland — 19
- Virginia — 6
- West Virginia — 6
- New Jersey — 5
- Location with the most horses — Kentucky, 264
- Location with the fewest (minimum one) — Oklahoma, Ontario, Texas, 1 each
- Top sires — Freud, Sidney’s Candy, Uncle Mo, Super Saver, 11 each
- Sires with a single horse in the sale — 58
- Top broodmare sire — Mr. Greeley, 12
- Fillies/colts/geldings — 226/245/14
- By color:
- Brown – 181
- Chestnut – 121
- Dark bay – 149
- Gray/roan – 34
- Named horses — 118
Out of 490 horses catalogued, why are there 129 out already? What’s even more amazing is that 106 of the 129 were out before the under tack show even began. It’s clear why the train wreck in Philadelphia got great coverage, but it’s not clear why this train wreck is getting NO coverage.