Fasig-Tipton's Saratoga yearling sale up nearly $10 million

The Saratoga Selected Yearlings Sale, held annually by Fasig-Tipton Sales Company, came to a rousing conclusion on Tuesday night. And, quite honestly, there should have been fireworks similar to the lightning display that took place in the small New York town over the weekend.

By the time the last yearling pranced its way through the sales ring, Fasig-Tipton had sold 170 horses for a total of $62,794,000. That represents a near $10 million increase in revenues over the sale of a year ago when Fasig-Tipton sold 156 yearlings for $52,995,000.

The average price for a yearling jumped this year as well. This year, the average price paid for a yearling was $369,376. The median price was $300,000. A year ago, the average price was $339,712, and the median was the same.

The number of horses that did not meet their reserve price was 46, up just eight horses over last year’s tally at 38.

Here is what the headliners for the Fasig-Tipton team had to say this morning:

“I am going to quote Boyd (Browning), who said it so well last night,” said Bayne Welker, the company’s Vice President of Sales. “Boyd said, ‘A record sale that has to be attributed to the people who trusted in us to provide the opportunity to offer so many nice yearlings to the buying public. Tremendous trade that broke markers not seen since 2001.’ ”

Welker went on to say this about the upcoming New York-bred sale that beings later this week:

“The New York-bred sale should continue with strength as we have seen New York-breds competing on the world’s stage," Welker said, with names such as Diversify, Mind Your Biscuits and Audible all major winners this year, "and the New York program is stronger than ever, and we are excited about the level of quality offerings coming up.”