In a remarkable display of equine lineage and accomplishments, a 16-month-old horse without any saddle experience was sold for an astounding $4 million at the 102nd Fasig-Tipton Selected Yearling Sale in Saratoga Springs.
The hefty price tag can be attributed to the horse’s exceptional parentage. The colt’s sire is none other than Curlin, a two-time Horse of the Year and proud father of nine champions. Curlin’s offspring have collectively earned more than $131 million in racing purses, solidifying their prowess on the track.
The colt’s dam, Beholder, is an equally impressive mare who boasts 18 wins in 26 starts and a massive $6.1 million in earnings. Beholder’s cabinet proudly displays four Eclipse trophies, emblematic of her status as the best filly or mare in North America during those years. She also triumphed in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff twice, further cementing her legacy.
Consigned by Spendthrift Farm in Kentucky, the chestnut colt caught the eye of Amr Zedan, an energy magnate and fervent polo player hailing from Los Angeles. Zedan, who began his foray into Thoroughbred racing only five years ago, quickly found success with his horse Medina Spirit, winning the 2021 Kentucky Derby.
Competing with Zedan in the bidding process was another purchaser who shelled out an impressive $3.2 million for a colt from the Indian Creek consignment. This colt, sired by Into Mischief and out of the American Pharoah mare All American Dream, boasts an impeccable pedigree. Bred in Kentucky by Jeff Drown and Don Rachel, LLC, this bay colt has the potential to follow in the footsteps of esteemed Grade I winners.
Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning couldn’t contain his excitement for the sale, remarking on the unparalleled enthusiasm and exceptional quality of the horses showcased. This record-breaking auction highlighted the profound passion of the buyers and their affinity for Saratoga.
The Tuesday session alone witnessed the sale of seven other yearlings fetching seven figures, contributing to a remarkable overall result. With a gross of $74.78 million, an 11.7 percent increase compared to the previous year, the auction exceeded all expectations. Additionally, the average sale price per yearling soared by 4.4 percent to $488,758.
For New York-bred yearlings, there are 362 awaiting the auctioneer’s hammer on Sunday and Monday. The auctions, scheduled for Sunday at 7 p.m. and Monday at noon, promise to further captivate the audience.
It’s worth noting that Thoroughbred sales do not serve as a substantial source of income for the State of New York. Norma sales tax is waived due to a buyer declaration stating that the horse will be used for pari-mutuel racing at some point in its life.
A Sincere Apology from O’Rourke
Following a controversial incident where races were moved from the turf courses to the main track after multi-race betting pools were already open, Dave O’Rourke, President and CEO of the New York Racing Association, offered a heartfelt apology, recognizing the need for improvement. The races affected were considered “All” races, resulting in diluted shares in the mutuel pool for bettors who selected the actual winners.
The decision to shift the races stemmed from concerns expressed by Saratoga jockeys about the turf course’s safety after torrential rains. Prioritizing safety, the management promptly relocated the seventh, ninth, and 10th races to the main track, initiating the “All” condition.
O’Rourke appeared on the pre-racing show “Talking Horses” with host Andy Serling and acknowledged the initial intention to refund all affected bets. Unfortunately, this plan was unsuccessful, leading to well-deserved criticism from the betting community.
Despite NYRA’s request to the stewards for refunds and a delay to the start of the sixth race to allow bettors to cancel their wagers, the stewards found no basis in the rules to grant these requests.
Cancellation of Fifth Race: Unforeseen Power Failure
A sudden power failure wreaked havoc on NYRA on Wednesday. Tree branches brought down electrical lines near Barn 61 on the backstretch, leaving public areas and the tote system without electricity. As a result, NYRA was forced to cancel the fifth race and delay the start of the sixth race until power was restored, causing a 33-minute setback.
While the incident undoubtedly posed challenges, NYRA swiftly resolved the issue and ensured the races continued without further interruptions.
