Part One: 2012 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale

Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale grad Awesome Gem

Despite showcasing less than two hundred yearlings, the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale displays – in my opinion – the deepest quality catalog of any sale I have covered to date. It was hard to narrow my sale selections down to my normal twenty, which is why I decided to feature twenty-five. It is understandable why it was so difficult to slim down my top selections, as this is the same auction that has produced the grade one winners A Shin Forward, Awesome Gem, Blue Bunting, Dialed In, Hot Dixie Chick, Plum Pretty, and Union Rags.

Listed below in numerical order are my top fifteen selections in the sale, as well as ten honorable mentions, based on pedigree, though I was able to evaluate the conformation of a few of these horses through the Fasig-Tipton website:

Hip #5: Just a quick glance at this colt’s pedigree is enough to be impressed. His sire is Distorted Humor, last year’s leading sire in North America and sire of such grade one winners as Commentator, Don Dandy, Drosselmeyer, Flower Alley, Funny Cide, Hystericalady, and Pathfork.

This colt’s dam has not yet produced a runner, but is a half-sister to a champion, a stakes winner, and two black-typed-placed horses. Not only is this colt a direct descendant of three Reine De Course mares through his dam, but his dam’s sire is the great A.P. Indy. That son of Seattle Slew is the broodmare sire of numerous grade one winners, including the champions Royal Delta and Wait a While.

Hip five is bred on the successful Distorted Humor/A.P. Indy cross, which is the same one on which the grade one-winning Any Given Saturday was bred, as well as the graded stakes winners Brethren, Endorsement, and Z Humor, in addition to impressive Saratoga maiden winner Fortify.

A well-balanced individual, this colt has long, thin neck that ties in beautifully to his shoulder. His topline is short in relation to his underline and though I would like to see him stand a slightly straighter column of bone in the front legs, he is very correct through the hocks.

Hip five, consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent LXII, is Breeders’ Cup nominated and registered with the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Foundation (KTDF).

Hip #11: Very closely bred to Rachel Alexandra, this colt shares the same sire as the great champion in Medaglia d’Oro. Including Rachel Alexandra, Medaglia d’Oro is the sire of seven grade one winners.

Interestingly, the dam of hip eleven is Kim’s Blues, Rachel Alexandra’s second dam. Kim’s Blues is of course the dam of Rachel Alexandra’s stakes-winning and graded stakes-placed dam, Lotta Kim. In addition, Kim’s Blues has produced the stakes-winning and graded stakes-placed Lotta Rhythm and the stakes-winning High Blues.

Obviously, hip eleven is bred similarly to Rachel Alexandra, but is also bred on the same El Prado/Cure the Blues cross as the graded stakes winners Golden Century and Holiday for Kitten.

Hip eleven, consigned by Dromoland Farm, Inc., agent III, is Breeders’ Cup and European Breeders’ Fund (EBF) nominated, as well as registered with the KTDF. He is my second top selection in the sale.

Hip #26: Giant’s Causeway – this filly’s sire – has been among the top five leading sires on the continent for the past six years, peaking at the top in 2009 and 2010. He is the sire of nineteen grade one winners, including the brilliant Eskendereya.

Lofty Lizzy – the dam of this filly – has produced just one runner so far, but that runner is a winner. Lofty Lizzy’s dam is also the dam of the multiple grade one-winning Affirmed Success, the graded stakes-placed Truman’s Raider, and the multiple black-type-placed Rapunzell. With Lofty Lizzy as her dam, hip twenty-six has Unbridled’s Song as her broodmare sire, allowing her to share the same damsire as the group one winner Better Than Ever, as well as the graded stakes winners Etched, Hold Me Back, and Out of Bounds.

Hip twenty-six, consigned by Willow Oaks Stable, Sweezey & Partners, agent, is Breeders’ Cup nominated and registered with the KTDF.

Hip #46: Sharing the same sire as seven grade one winners in Medaglia d’Oro, this colt is out of a stakes-placed sibling to the champion Hold That Tiger, the multiple grade one-winning Editor’s Note, the black-type winners Catfriend and Catnip, and the black-type-placed Forty Nine Hearts.

Notably, this colt’s third dam is the Reine De Course mare T.C. Kitten, the dam of one grade one winner, one group stakes winner, one stakes winner, and one multiple graded stakes-placed runner. Hip forty-six’s damsire is the incredible Deputy Minister, the broodmare sire of such champions as Curlin, Halfbridled, and Rags to Riches.

Hip forty-six, consigned by Lane’s End, agent, is Breeders’ Cup nominated and registered with the KTDF. He is my third top auction pick.

Hip #48: War Pass passed away at much too young of an age and this colt is one of his limited offspring. War Pass is a son of the champion Cherokee Run, the sire of nearly fifty black-type winners.

The dam of this colt, Pennant Champion, has not only produced the graded stakes-winning Animal Spirits, but the dams of a multiple graded stakes winner, a stakes-winning and graded stakes-placed runner, a graded stakes-placed runner, and a black-type-placed runner. Notably, this colt’s dam is out of the great racehorse and broodmare Personal Ensign, making Pennant Champion a full sister to two grade one winners, a multiple grade one-placed runner, and a graded stakes-placed runner. Pennant Champion is also a half-sister to the multiple grade one-winning and champion-producing My Flag.

This colt has one of the best broodmare sires ever as his damsire in Mr. Prospector, the broodmare sire of the champions Lailani, Mineshaft, and War Pass himself. He is bred on the very successful Cherokee Run/Mr. Prospector cross, which not only has a winning percentage of about 75%, but has produced the champion War Pass, as well as the stakes winners Cherokee Artist and Cherokee Girl.

Hip forty-eight, property of Graves et al, Gainesway, agent, is Breeders’ Cup nominated and registered with the KTDF.

Hip #52: This chestnut colt is sired by the outstanding leading sire Giant’s Causeway, a son of the great sire Storm Cat. His dam is a mare who has produced two runners to date, both of which are winners and one of which is graded stakes-placed.

This colt’s second dam is the grade one-winning Glitter Woman, who produced the grade one-winning Political Force. Notably, hip fifty-two’s third dam is the black-type-winning dam of the grade one-winning Unbridled Elaine, who has produced two grade one winners.

The broodmare sire of this chestnut is Seeking the Gold, the damsire of such grade one winners as Blame, Dancing Forever, Excellent Art, Pine Island, Point of Entry, Riskaverse, and She Be Wild. Hip fifty-two was mated on the effective Giant’s Causeway/Seeking the Gold cross that has produced the grade one winners Carriage Trail, Internallyflawless, and Swift Temper.

Hip fifty-two, property of AGS Thoroughbreds Ltd, Gainesway, agent, is Breeders’ Cup nominated and registered with the KTDF.

Hip #58: Street Cry, the sire of this colt, has been a spectacular stallion, siring not only the great champion Zenyatta, but the champion Street Sense and an additional eleven grade one winners.

Out of a full sister to a group one winner and a group two winner in Brazil, this colt is a half-brother to 2006 Horse of the Year Invasor. Not only is this colt’s damsire, Interprete, the broodmare sire of Invasor, but is also the damsire of the group stakes-winning Gran Punto, as well as the black-type-winning horses More Than Regal and Ready Ruler.

Hip fifty-eight, consigned by Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales Agency, agent, is Breeders’ Cup nominated and eligible for KTDF registration.

Hip #80: This colt is also a son of Street Cry, the sire of thirteen grade one winners famous for producing the great Zenyatta. Hip eighty is the first foal out of the Canadian champion Serenading, who is a full sister to the stakes-winning Handpainted and a half-sister to the dam of the grade one-winning Brilliant Speed.

The broodmare sire of hip eighty is the great A.P. Indy, who is the damsire of such grade one winners as Bluegrass Cat, Mr. Sidney, Plum Pretty, Super Saver, Take Charge Indy, and Wait a While. This colt is bred on the same Street Cry/Seattle Slew cross – one with a winning percentage of approximately 75% – as the graded stakes winners Blues Street, Globetrotter, Freedom Star, and Princess Haya.

Hip eighty, consigned by Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales Agency, agent, is Breeders’ Cup nominated and registered with the KTDF.

Hip #91: By the brilliant sire Empire Maker and out of the black-type-winning Sluice, hip ninety-one is a full brother to the grade one-winning Mushka. Empire Maker is not only the sire of Mushka, but such additional grade one winners as Bodemeister, Grace Hall, and Royal Delta.

Hip ninety-one’s second dam is the multiple grade one-winning Lakeway, who, in addition to producing Sluice, is the dam of the multiple graded stakes-placed Flying Spur and the stakes-placed In Excelsis. Interestingly, this makes this colt a direct descendant of the Reine De Course mare Comely Nell – a mare that Empire Maker’s grade one-winning daughter Grace Hall is a direct descendant of as well.

This colt shares the same broodmare sire, Seeking the Gold, as the grade one winners Blame, Dancing Forever, Excellent Art, Pine Island, Point of Entry, Riskaverse, and She Be Wild, as aforementioned.

This colt displays plenty of quality muscling throughout his body. Easily divided into thirds, this evenly balanced colt has a thin neck that ties in well to his sloping shoulder. Perhaps his best attribute his rounded, powerful hip.

Hip ninety-one, consigned by Denali Stud (Craig & Holly Bandoroff), agent I, is Breeders’ Cup nominated and registered with the KTDF. He is my fourth top selection in the sale.

Hip #96: Yet another son of the leading sire Giant’s Causeway, this colt is a son of the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (GI)-winning Spain, who is the dam of the group stakes-winning and grade one-placed Plan, as well as the stakes-winning and group one-placed Dreamtheimpossible.

Spain is obviously a top producer – and racehorse – but so was her dam, the multiple black-type-winning Drina, who is also the dam of the graded stakes winners Fantastic Spain and Puerto Banus, as well as the black-type-winning Path of Thunder. With Spain as his dam, this colt has the same broodmare sire, Thunder Gulch, as the grade one-winning Star Billing and the graded stakes winners Crown of Thorns and Daddy Nose Best.

Hip ninety-six, consigned by Dromoland Farm, Inc., agent VI, is Breeders’ Cup nominated and registered with the KTDF. He is my top selection in the sale.

Hip #130: This colt is a son of Tapit, giving him the same sire as the champions Hansen and Stardom Bound, as well as several other grade one winners, including Careless Jewel, Tapitsfly, and Zazu.

Hip one thirty’s dam, All Deuces Wild, has only had one runner to date and that runner is a winner. All Deuces Wild is a full sister to the multiple grade one-winning Tranquility Lake, who has produced the grade one winners After Market and Courageous Cat, as well as the group stakes-winning Jalil. All Deuces Wild is also a half-sister to the multiple graded stakes-winning Benchmark, the graded stakes-placed King Crimson, and the stakes-placed Hope for Gold. Rahy – this colt’s damsire – is the broodmare sire of such grade one winners as After Market, Courageous Cat, Furthest Land, Life At Ten, and Rahy’s Attorney.

This colt has much substance to him, exhibiting much muscling. He has a very powerful build, unlike most Tapits. This yearling appears to be quite structurally correct, being short about the cannon bones. I would, however, like to see him stronger through his topline.

Hip one thirty, property of Fox Straus & Glencrest Farm, Four Star Sales, agent, is Breeders’ Cup nominated and registered with the KTDF.

Hip #134: A Distorted Humor filly, hip one thirty-four shares the same sire as twelve grade one winners and nine millionaires. By Appealing Storm, this filly is a half-sister to the grade one-winning Vacare and the graded stakes winners Abtaal and Single Solution.

Produced by two very successful parents, hip one thirty-four’s damsire is Valid Appeal – the broodmare sire of the champion Soy Conquistador, as well as the group one winners Big City Man, Exciting Story, and Splendid Blended.

Hip one thirty-four, property of Chesapeake Farm I, Sweezy & Partners, agent, is Breeders’ Cup nominated and registered with the KTDF.

Hip #157: Yet another Street Cry offspring, this filly is out of the group stakes-winning and group one-placed Cloud Castle, who has also produced the group stakes-winning Queen’s Best and the stakes-winning and group stakes-placed Reverie Solitaire.

This filly’s second dam was very successful, producing the multiple group one-winning horses Luso and Warrsan, in addition to the group stakes-winning Needle Gun. The broodmare sire of this filly, In the Wings, is the damsire of the graded stakes winners Papaw Bodie and Spice Route.

A sleek individual, this filly is quite well-balanced, as well as adequately muscled. In addition, her legs appear to be very clean. I found her walk to be very impressive, as despite her young age, she has excellent presence about her and walks with long, even strides.

Hip one fifty-seven, consigned by Hidden Brook, agent, is Breeders’ Cup and EBF nominated, in addition to being registered with the KTDF.

Hip #170: The fourth Street Cry offspring in my top fifteen selections, this filly is the first foal out of Desert Song. Her dam is a daughter of the incredible broodmare Justenuffheart, the dam of the champion Dreaming of Anna and the multiple graded stakes-winning horses Justenuffhumor and Lewis Michael.

Notably, Justenuffheart’s dam, Kitten’s First, is also highly successful, being the dam of the champion Kitten’s Joy and the multiple grade one-winning Precious Kitten. This filly shares the same broodmare sire as the group one winner Better Than Ever, as well as the graded stakes winners Etched, Hold Me Back, and Out of Bounds in Unbridled’s Song.

Displaying the sleek Street Cry look, hip one seventy is very long and thin about her neck. She is lightly built, but stands upon structurally correct legs, which are correctly angled about the pasterns.

Hip one seventy, consigned by Hidden Brook, agent, is Breeders’ Cup and EBF nominated, in addition to being registered with the KTDF.

Hip #178: With Empire Maker as her sire, this filly shares the same sire as such grade one winners as Acoma, Bodemeister, Grace Hall, Royal Delta, and Pioneerof the Nile. With Fitted Crown as her dam, she is a half-sister to the multiple grade one-winning Excellent Meeting and the black-type winners Crowning Meeting and Crown of Crimson.

This filly’s broodmare sire is Chief’s Crown, allowing her to share the same damsire as the grade one winners Eddington and Scorpion. She is bred on the successful Empire Maker/Danzig cross, which has produced the grade one-winning Acoma.

Hip one seventy-eight, consigned by Dromoland Farm, Inc., agent III, is Breeders’ Cup nominated and registered with the KTDF.

Honorable Mentions:

Hip #10: This dark bay/brown colt is by the grade one-producing Exchange Rate and is the first foal out of a half-sister to a multiple grade one winner and a stakes-winning, graded stakes-placed runner.

Hip #12: By the up-and-coming son of Street Cry, Street Boss, this colt is out of a half-sister to the grade one-winning Never Retreat.

Hip #21: This filly is sired by the sire of multiple grade one winners in Elusive Quality and is out of a black-type-winning full sister to a multiple graded stakes winner. Her third dam is the dam of the champion Black Tie Affair.

Hip #62: By the champion Street Sense, this colt is a sibling to a graded stakes winner and a stakes-winning, graded stakes-placed runner.

Hip #68: This colt is a son of Malibu Moon, who is the sire of several grade one winners, and is out of a full sister to a multiple grade one winner, who is also a half-sister to a graded stakes winner.

Hip #95: By the sire of many grade one winners in Malibu Moon, this filly is out of a half-sister to two group one winners in Argentina.

Hip #117: This filly is not only by the outstanding Medaglia d’Oro, but is a daughter of the champion Wait a While.

Hip #12o: By the sire of several grade one winners in Unbridled’s Song, this colt is out of a half-sister to a multiple grade one winner, a multiple graded stakes-placed horse, and a black-type-placed runner.

Hip #121: By the brilliant racehorse and sire Bernardini, this filly is out of a half-sister to a grade one winner and a black-type-placed runner.

Hip #183: A daughter of the late sire of three grade one winners in Dixie Union, this filly’s dam is a full sister to a graded stakes winner and a half-sister to two stakes winners.

I will do a follow-up piece after the sale, spotlighting these horses again with the results of the auction.

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