Uncle Mo Colt Tops First Session of Historic 100th Saratoga Sale

Tuesday, August 10, 2021
hip 73
Fasig-Tipton Photo

The Saratoga Sale, Fasig-Tipton's flagship auction of selected yearlings, kicked off the first session of its 100th renewal with a bang the evening of August 9 at the Humphrey S. Finney Pavilion in Saratoga Springs, NY. Monday night marked the historic 100th renewal of the auction.

A colt by champion sire Uncle Mo out of Grade 1 winner Dame Dorothy topped the session when sold to West Bloodstock, agent for Robert and Lawana Low for $1,600,000 (video). Consigned as Hip 73 by Stone Farm, agent, the bay colt is the third foal out of the Grade 1 winning Bernardini mare Dame Dorothy, whose first foal is 2021 Allaire DuPont Distaff S. (G3) winner Spice Is Nice. Dame Dorothy herself is a half-sister to French Group 1 winner Mrs. Lindsay, dam of Group 1 placed multiple stakes winner Mr. Owen. Hip 73 hails from the immediate family of Grade 1 winners Curren Black Hill and Unaccounted For. The session topper was bred in Kentucky by B. Flay Thoroughbreds.

"It was certainly very healthy market, and very similar to the 2019 marketplace," said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. "It's half-time after the first night, but it's certainly off to a good start."

The session's top filly came in the form of a daughter of three-time Leading Sire Tapit, which sold for $990,000 to West Point Thoroughbred, Scarlet Oak Racing, and NBS Stable (video). Offered as Hip 61 by Denali Stud, agent, the bay filly is a half-sister to the undefeated Speightstown filly Carribean Caper, out of stakes placed Dixie Union mare Checkupfromzneckup. The immediate family includes Hall of Famer A.P. Indy, Broodmare of the Year Weekend Surprise, and European champions Duke of Marmalade, Ruler of the World, and Wolfhound. Hip 61 was bred in Kentucky by WinStar Farm and Winchell Thoroughbreds.

Rounding out the top five hips of the session were:

  • Hip 71, a filly by Leading Sire Into Mischief, which sold for $940,000 to Christina R. Jelm, agent for David Wilson, from the consignment of Mulholland Springs, agent. The bay filly is a half-sister to multiple graded stakes placed winner Sine Wave out of the Grade 2 placed Cuvee mare Curlina. Hip 71 was bred in Kentucky by Mulholland Springs and Jay and Beth Young.
  • Hip 76, a colt by current Leading First-Crop Sire Gun Runner, which sold for $850,000 to Maverick Racing from the consignment of Denali Stud, agent. The bay colt is from the immediate family of Horse of the Year Saint Liam and Grade 1 winners Funtastic and Buster's Ready.
  • Hip 45, a colt from the first crop of 2018 Triple Crown champion Justify, which sold for $825,000 to Travis Durr, agent for David Hudson, from the consignment of Sequel New York, agent for Chester and Mary Broman. The chestnut colt is the second foal out of Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) winner Bar of Gold (Medaglia d'Oro), whose first foal is Coinage, already a stakes placed winner this year at 2.

"I'm confident and pleased," added Browning. "But we've still got another night's work to do."

During Monday's session, 70 yearlings were sold for $25,280,000. The average was $361,143 and the median was $300,000.

The 100th Saratoga Sale continues Tuesday at 6:30 PM. Monday results are available online.