Though Mother Nature’s relentless storms caused an adjusted schedule of the under tack shows and the sale days, the Midtlantic 2-Year-Olds in training sale still set record highs for gross, average and median sales.
After 326 horses sold in the ring during a marathon session on Tuesday, May 20th, the record setting gross came to $44,192,500. The sale was seen as “a sale to remember,” for many reasons. Four horses sold for $1+ million; the first time this sale has ever seen more than one horse sell for a million dollars.
Among the 586 horses listed in the catalogue, 26 of them were registered with the Virginia Thoroughbred Association. The Virginia-certified horses, which are appealing to buyers due to the lucrative incentive programs available, sold for an average of $86,500. Hip 208, a chestnut filly by Practical Joke out of Kitten Empress, was the highest selling Virginia-certified horse going to trainer Norm Casse for $285,000. This filly was certified at Timbercreek Farm under the care of Sara and Zach Miller in Charlottesville, Virginia. During the preview she breezed in :10.3.
Hip 510 was the second highest selling Virginia-certified horse going to Augustus Mcrae for $180,000. This 2-year-old dark bay colt by Vekoma out of Yalisha was certified at Ballyerin Racing, LLC with Madison Meyers and Kieron Norris in Middleburg, Virginia.
The Virginia-breeding program continues to grow as horsemen throughout the country see the additional lucrative benefits associated with owning and racing a Virginia-bred.
The highest selling 2-year-old Virginia-bred was Hip 337. The chestnut filly by Vekoma out of Rachel’s Smokin sold for $200,000 to Colts Neck Stables. The 2-year-old was bred by Gerard Lopez.
The second highest selling Virginia-bred in the sale sold for $150,000 to Huburt Guy Bloodstock. Hip 65, a bay filly by Charlatan out of Compensate, was bred by Virginia native Ann Mudge Backer/Smitten Farm.
The Fasig-Tipton Mid Atlantic two year old sale was a solid success for Virginia-bred and certified horses further showing the value and benefits of these growing programs. For more information go to www.vabred.org.