Not This Time colt sells for $3.4 million at Fasig-Tipton sale

Vibrant trade marked the opening session of Fasig-Tipton's 103rd Saratoga sale, held Monday evening at the Humphrey S. Finney Pavilion in Saratoga Springs, New York. The session, topped by the fifth most expensive colt offered in the history of the Saratoga sale, posted gains over the previous year's first session in gross, average and median, as well as a reserve-not-attained rate of 20.6 percent.

A colt by Not This Time, hip 72, topped the session when sold for $3.4 million to Donato Lanni, agent for Zedan Racing. Nardelli Sales, agent, consigned the colt, who is out of Kayce Ace, a stakes-placed full sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Colonel John. Hip 72 is a half-brother to multiple Grade 1-placed graded-stakes winner Comical and to the dam of stakes winner Sweetlou'sgotaces. The colt was bred in Kentucky by Susan Casner.

"It was obviously a really strong start to this year's Saratoga sale," Fasig-Tipton president Boyd Browning said. "(There was) lots of competition, lots of energy, lots of excitement … just a tremendous start."

Five other yearlings sold for seven figures during the session, including:

A filly by Curlin, hip 85, sold for $1.9 million to West Bloodstock, agent for Robert and Lawana Low, from the consignment of Gainesway, agent for Don Alberto Corp. The filly is the first foal out of graded-stakes-placed stakes winner Matera, a half-sister to record-setting Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (winner Liam's Map and graded-stakes winner and successful young sire Not This Time. Hip 85 was bred in Kentucky by Don Alberto Corp.

A colt by Gun Runner, hip 75, sold for $1.7 million to Resolute Bloodstock from the consignment of Bluewater Sales, agent. Out of the Unbridled's Song mare Lady Godiva, the colt is a half-brother to a pair of winners, including Clark (G1) winner Leofric.

A colt by Tapit, hip 97, sold for $1.5 million to Flying Dutchmen from the consignment of Lane's End, agent for Don Alberto Corp. The bay colt is the second foal out of Grade 2 winner and four-time Grade 1 performer Mopotism. Hip 97 was bred in Kentucky by Don Alberto Corp.

A colt from the first crop of multiple Grade 1 winner Charlatan, hip 57, sold for $1.5 million to Resolute Bloodstock from the consignment of Warrendale Sales, agent for Stonestreet Bred & Raised. Out of the Yes It's True mare Goldfield, the colt is a half-brother to Grade 1-winning juvenile and current leading first-crop sire Complexity and to Grade 1-placed graded stakes winner Valadorna. Hip 57 was bred in Kentucky by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings.

A colt by stalwart sire Into Mischief, hip 30, sold for $1 million to M.V. Magnier and White Birch Farm from the consignment of Darby Dan Farm, agent. The colt is a half-brother to graded stakes winner and multiple stakes winner She Can't Sing, by Bernardini, from the immediate family of Grade-Group 1 winners Music Note, Mystic Guide and Musical Chimes. The colt was bred in Kentucky by Lothenbach Stables.

"The RNA rate at an elite horse sale was 20 percent, which is pretty remarkable," Browning said.

During the opening session, 77 yearlings sold for $38,910,00. The gross rose 26.4 percent from the comparable session in 2023, when 74 yearlings sold. The year-over-year session average rose 21.5 percent to $505,325 from $416,014 in 2023. The median rose 14.3 percent to $400,000 from $350,000 during the first session last year.