Between Fasig-Tipton’s two sales in upstate New York, the Saratoga selected yearling sale on Aug. 4-5 and the New York-bred yearling sale on Aug. 10-11, the company has cataloged 526 young horses to be offered in a prestigious marketplace. Mining the offerings to find jewels that fit their respective programs will be the challenge of some of the top owners, trainers, and bloodstock agents in the world.
Before the yearlings arrive on the sale grounds for their conformation and athleticism to be analyzed, here is a short list of those who, on paper, bring the most sparkling pedigrees to these two sales. This list of horses to watch accounts for catalog updates and sale outs through July 20.
SELECTED SALE
Night 1 – Monday, Aug. 4
Hip No. 10, Dynasty, colt by Quality Road – Treasure, by Medaglia d’Oro. Consigned by Bridie Harrison, agent for Peter Blum Thoroughbreds
This sale catalog is organized alphabetically by dam name, beginning on a random letter. Conventional wisdom is that it’s best to come up later in a session, when market momentum is established – but a stellar horse can overcome the “luck of the draw.” This colt may be such a case as a full brother to champion National Treasure, winner of three Grade 1 races in the Preakness, Pegasus World Cup, and Metropolitan Handicap. He also is a half-brother to stakes winner Ultimate and Grade 1-placed Pirate. Hip No. 183, on the second night of the sale, also is from this immediate family cultivated by Blum. The Authentic colt is out of a full sister to National Treasure.
Hip No. 14, colt by Not This Time – Unicorn Girl, by A. P. Five Hundred. Consigned by Hill ‘n’ Dale, agent
Not This Time, who recently passed the milestone of 50 stakes winners, sired last year’s Saratoga sale topper, a $3.4 million colt, and more could be in the offing for America’s top heir to Giant’s Causeway. His current yearlings were the first conceived on a six-figure stud fee, his fee tripling to $135,000 for the 2023 season after siring two champions the prior year. This filly is a half-sister to champion sprinter Jackie’s Warrior, who won 11 graded stakes, including five Grade 1 races. She also is a half-sister to stakes winner White Sands.
Hip No. 29, colt by Justify – Zeezee Zoomzoom, by Congrats. Consigned by Hunter Valley Farm, agent
Triple Crown winner Justify has become a prominent young international sire and was represented by his second European classic winner this spring. He has a strong hand at this sale, including this Pennsylvania-bred colt who has a strong turf pedigree that could attract international interest. He is a half-brother to Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner Caravel, who also won the Grade 1 Jaipur over males. Winning Zeezee Zoomzoom is, overall, the dam of five winners from six starters, also including multiple stakes winner Witty.
Hip No. 37, colt by Gun Runner – America, by A.P. Indy. Consigned by Stone Farm, agent
Gun Runner has swiftly jumped from freshman phenom to perennial top-three national sire, and this colt is from a deep and consistently commercial family. Grade 3 winner America has had three yearlings sold, all for seven figures – led by First Captain for $2 million at this sale. First Captain went on to be a graded stakes winner. America is a half-sister to the dam of Grade 1 winner Paris Lights, and this is a deep family of outstanding broodmares, tracing directly to Kentucky Oaks winner and multiple stakes producer Blush With Pride, a daughter of Broodmare of the Year Best In Show. Blush With Pride’s daughter Better Than Honour produced a pair of Belmont Stakes winners to also earn Broodmare of the Year honors.
Hip No. 102, filly by Flightline – Georgie’s Angel, by Bellamy Road. Consigned by Eaton Sales, agent
Much is expected from the first crop of unbeaten 2022 Horse of the Year Flightline, who garnered an outstanding first book of mares at an advertised fee of $200,000. Flightline averaged $655,897 for eight weanlings from his first crop last year. At July’s Japan Racing Horse Association yearling and foal sale, three yearlings by the stallion were sold for a combined 470 million yen – more than $3.1 million in U.S. funds, resulting in a seven-figure average. The bottom half of this New York-bred’s page is teed up for commercial success as well. Grade 3 winner Georgie’s Angel has had four yearlings sold for an average of $421,250 – many at the Fasig-Tipton New York-bred sale, but also stepping into “open company” with success. Her Cave Rock was a $550,000 Keeneland September yearling, then went on to be a multiple Grade 1 winner. With his star rising, full brother Assurbanipal led the 2022 New York-bred sale at $700,000, then was pinhooked as a juvenile for $1.05 million. Current New York-bred yearlings will race for purse parity in maiden races on the state circuit in 2026.
Night 2 – Tuesday, Aug. 5
Hip No. 118, colt by Flightline – Hot Dixie Chick, by Dixie Union. Consigned by Gainesway, agent for Stonestreet
Grade 1-winning juvenile Hot Dixie Chick is the dam of Grade 1 winner and multimillionaire Pauline’s Pearl – by Tapit, the sire of Flightline – along with Grade 3-placed stakes winner Union Jackson and stakes-placed Marsalis. The mare has not had many foals come to auction for Stonestreet, making this colt something of a collector’s item – and judging by the production and commercial record of her dam, Grade 3 winner Above Perfection, he will be one to fight for. Above Perfection has had seven yearlings sell for an average of $516,429, and her foals, Hot Dixie Chick’s half-siblings, include Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming and Grade 2 winner Positive Spirit.
Hip No. 165, filly by Into Mischief – Mopotism, by Uncle Mo. Consigned by Denali Stud, agent for Don Alberto Corp.
Six-time reigning leading sire Into Mischief, well on his way to a seventh title past the midway point of this year, needs no introduction. He has 11 lots cataloged at this sale that will doubtlessly find their way onto virtually every shortlist. Five of the dams of his yearlings are graded stakes winners, including Grade 1 winners I’m a Chatterbox (Hip 163) and It Tiz Well (Hip 123). Overlapping with that group in some places, four of the mares have produced stakes winners. But doubtlessly the crown jewel of the group, if she remains in the sale, will be this filly, a half-sister to Preakness Stakes winner Journalism, who has won two other Grade 1 races this season and finished second in both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. He was the first foal produced by Grade 2 winner Mopotism, who recently died, leaving breeder Don Alberto in possession of her two most recent foals, both fillies who could carry her legacy. This foal’s value is thus sky-high. As of July 20, she was still officially in the catalog. Don Alberto could choose to retain her, but if she does go to auction, she will spark a massive bidding war for her residual value alone.
Hip No. 173, colt by Mandaloun – No Joke, by Distorted Humor. Consigned by Taylor Made Sales, agent
Into Mischief is developing into a sire of sires, with classic sire Goldencents and top-10 national sire Practical Joke among his sons. Kentucky Derby winner Mandaloun is flying under the radar with his first crop, but this is a proven cross. Unraced No Joke’s first foal is last year’s champion 2-year-old Citizen Bull, by Into Mischief. Horse of the Year Favorite Trick, classic performer Tiz the Law, and Grade 1 winner Moonshine Memories also are part of this strong immediate family.
Hip No. 179, colt by Gun Runner – Princesa Carolina, by Tapit. Consigned by Four Star Sales, agent
Crossing Gun Runner over Tapit mares has produced a number of Grade 1 winners. Grade 1-placed stakes winner Princesa Carolina, out of Grade 1 winner Pure Clan, is the dam of two winners from as many starters, including Grade 2 winner Muhimma. Closely following this one to the ring is Hip No. 188, a colt from the same immediate family consigned by Gainesway. The colt is by Candy Ride – sire of Gun Runner – and is a half-brother to multiple graded stakes winner Shotgun Hottie, by Gun Runner. The colt’s granddam is a half-sister to Pure Clan.
Hip No. 200, filly by Gun Runner – Shedaresthedevil, by Daredevil. Consigned by Gainesway, agent
This is the first foal for Kentucky Oaks winner Shedaresthedevil, who earned more than $2.7 million. In all, the mare, a $5 million purchase as a broodmare prospect, won eight graded stakes, including three Grade 1 races.
Hip No. 209, filly by Life Is Good – Smart Shopping, by Smart Strike. Consigned by Mill Ridge Sales, agent
This is the first crop for well-regarded Life Is Good, four-time Grade 1 winner of the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, Pegasus World Cup, Whitney, and Woodward. If not for a generational talent in Flightline, he likely would have earned a championship. This filly is a half-sister to 2024 Preakness winner Seize the Grey, who earned a second Grade 1 in the Pennsylvania Derby and retired as a multimillionaire. Their dam, stakes-placed Smart Shopping, also produced stakes-placed Shoppingforpharoah, and this is the immediate family of Grade 1 winner Power Broker.
NEW YORK-BRED SALE
Session 1 – Sunday, Aug. 10
Hip No. 316, colt by Improbable – Mo Joy, by Uncle Mo. Consigned by Turning Point Bloodstock, agent
This unraced mare’s first foal is Mo Plex, this year’s leading New York-bred 3-year-old. He announced himself against open company last year by winning the Grade 3 Saratoga Special and hitting the board in the Grade 1 Champagne. This year, Mo Plex again trounced open company in the Grade 3 Ohio Derby. Even if this colt does not go on to that level of graded stakes success, he, and the other yearlings in this catalog, will still be running for hefty rewards next year. Beginning in 2026, the New York Racing Association will increase purses for maiden New York-bred 2-year-old races on its circuit to be equal to open-company maiden races. Purse parity for other races will follow in the future.
Hip No. 327, colt by Honest Mischief – One Wise Cowgirl, by Wiseman’s Ferry. Consigned by McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds, agent
The speedy Honest Mischief was a fine addition to the New York stallion ranks as a son of leading sire and sire of sires Into Mischief, from a strong Juddmonte female family. He has quickly proven his mettle, finishing among the nation’s top 10 freshman sires last year, the only stallion on that list outside of Kentucky. He is currently a top three New York general sire. This colt is out of multiple stakes winner Haveyougoneaway, whose biggest triumph came against open company in the Grade 1 Ballerina.
Hip No. 351, filly by Mo Donegal – Riviera Chic, by Medaglia d’Oro. Consigned by Paramount Sales, agent
This is the first crop for Belmont Stakes winner Mo Donegal, whose sire, Uncle Mo, is the sire of fellow classic winner and prominent sire Nyquist. In addition, interest in sons of Uncle Mo in New York should be strong, as the late Laoban got off to a flying start in the Empire State. Stakes-placed Riviera Chic is the dam of Grade 2 winner Brooklyn Strong.
Hip No. 379, colt by Mind Control – Snow, by Quality Road. Consigned by Paramount Sales, agent
This is the first crop for Mind Control, one of the most accomplished runners to retire to New York in recent years. The three-time Grade 1 winner, who earned more than $2 million, has garnered large initial books of mares while backed by a partnership of prominent breeders. Snow is the dam of Grade 3-placed Caldwell Luvs Gold, whose multiple stakes wins include the New York Oaks.
Hip No. 385, colt by Not This Time – Spacy Tracy, by Awesome Again. Consigned by Eaton Sales, agent
As noted for the select sale, Not This Time, who has already had strong sale results, should be in line for a strong season as these yearlings are his first conceived on a six-digit stud fee. This colt, a June foal, is one of just two by his sire in the New York-bred catalog, which often sees prominent Kentucky sires rise to the top. Stakes winner Spacy Tracy is the dam of seven winners from eight starters, including Grade 2 winner Benner Island, Grade 1-placed Grade 3 winner Victim of Love, Grade 3-placed stakes winner High North, Grade 1-placed Ohana Honor, and stakes-placed Space Launch. Benner Island is the dam of Grade 1-placed Grade 2 winner Quietside. This is a deep family, with champion Eliza and Grade 1 winner and sire Dialed In appearing on the page.
Session 2– Monday, Aug. 11
Hip No. 439, filly by Constitution – Akilina, by Langfuhr. Consigned by Denali Stud, agent for Oak Bluff Stables
Constitution is another top 10 Kentucky sire with just three yearlings in this catalog – and he is well known to the New York program, siring statebred classic performer Tiz the Law in his first crop. Grade 1-placed stakes winner Akilina is the dam of Grade 1-placed stakes winner Rieno Tesoro and Grade 2-placed stakes winner Governor Malibu. Akilina is a half-sister to the dam of classic-placed Grade 1 winner Audible and a half-sister to the dam of New York Derby winner Pandagate, who was third in last year’s Group 2 U.A.E. Derby behind Forever Young.
Hip No. 524, colt by Jack Christopher – Fairway Road, by Cuvee. Consigned by Taylor Made Sales, agent
Multiple Grade 1 winner Jack Christopher had a strong debut at the season’s first auction, the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July selected yearling sale. Led by the $350,000 sale topper, nine of his 10 yearlings led to the ring sold, three of them for more than $200,000. The stallion averaged $162,778 against his introductory fee of $45,000. This stakes-winning mare is the dam of six winners from as many starters, including Grade 3 winner Just Grazed Me.
Hip No. 552, filly by Bucchero – Gypsy Jo, by Lemon Drop Kid. Consigned by Denali Stud, agent
Bucchero stood his first five seasons in Florida, and from those crops, he is represented by active Grade 1 winner Book’em Danno and graded stakes winner Queen Maxima. He moved to New York starting with the 2024 season, meaning his first state-conceived foals will be yearlings next year. However, he has two yearlings in this catalog, out of mares bred to him in Florida and then brought back to New York to foal. It’s an opportunity to get ahead of the curve as Bucchero is another stallion expected to thrive with additional Tapeta and turf racing in the state. Winning mare Gypsy Jo’s first two starters are winners, including stakes winner Kay Cup.
Hip 556, filly by Runhappy – Heavenly Vision, by Forestry. Consigned by Brookdale, agent.
This filly is from a very active family. The winning mare Heavenly Vision is the dam of six winners from seven starters, including Train the Trainer, winner of the Mike Lee and New York Derby in his last two starts. Heavenly Vision is a half-sister to Grade 2 winner and sire Cairo Prince. She is also a half-sister to Grade 1-placed Nonna Mia, dam of Grade 1 winner Outwork. Another of Nonna Mia’s foals, Nonna Bella, is the dam of champion Fierceness.