Fasig-Tipton yearling sale ends down dramatically

By Janet Patton - jpatton1@herald-leader.com

The three-day yearling sale at Fasig-Tipton ended Wednesday down significantly from the same sale in 2007, mirroring the trend at many horse sales around the world.

The sale in Lexington grossed $7,471,900 for 553 horses over three days, and 306 horses went through the auction ring without selling.

The total number of horses sold was only 13 fewer than the two-day sale in 2007, but the cumulative sales dropped 29.5 percent (from $10,595,700) and the "buy-back rate" of horses not reaching their reserve price to sell rose from 20.3 percent last year to 35.6 percent this year.

The average price declined 27.8 percent, from $17,720 to $13,512; the median price fell 45 percent, from $10,000 to $5,500.

The top seller of the final day was a colt by Wildcat Heir from the consignment of Wendy Noel Sales, agent. Elwaleed Mousa bought the colt for $107,000. Mousa also had bought the second-highest-priced yearling in the second session, a Dixie Union colt from the Middlebrook Farm consignment, for $260,000.

The Herald-Leader allows readers to comment on stories. The views expressed here are not those of the Herald-Leader or its staff. Readers must avoid personal attacks and libelous or inappropriate remarks. See our commenting policy here. Some comments may be reprinted in the newspaper. Registered user names are posted with comments.