Justify Colt Lights Up Third Session of Kentucky October Yearlings

Wednesday, October 25, 2023
justify colt fasig-tipton kentucky october yearlings
Fasig-Tipton Photo

The third session of the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October Yearlings sale was held Wednesday, October 25, at the Newtown Paddocks in Lexington, Kentucky. A colt by Justify – who currently leads second-crop sires with five Grade 1 winners and 10 graded stakes winners in 2023 – topped the session when sold for $725,000.

Jessie Longoria, agent for Kiehne & Brunson, went to $725,000 to secure the session-topping colt by Justify (Hip 1023) from the consignment of Hunter Valley Farm, agent (video). The chestnut colt is the second foal out of the winning Hard Spun mare Palace Princess, a granddaughter of Horse of the Year and multiple graded stakes producer Azeri. Hip 1023 was bred in Kentucky by Andre Lynch & Pat Durtschi.

"Overall, we had another solid day today," said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. "Obviously, we had some more fire power today. The top end was very strong."

The top five prices also included:

  • A Practical Joke colt (Hip 1194), sold for $500,000 to Mayberry Farm from the consignment of Hunter Valley Farm, agent. The bay colt is out of the winning Medaglia d'Oro mare Runninwiththewind, from the immediate family of Grade 1 winners Jersey Girl, Jersey Town, and Purge. Hip 1194 was bred in Kentucky by Robert E. Hibbert II.
  • A Curlin colt (Hip 809) sold for $460,000 to Donato Lanni, agent for Frank Fletcher Racing Operations, from the consignment of Hunter Valley Farm, agent. The chestnut colt is out of the winning Not For Love mare Love the Chase, making him a half-brother to five winners, including two-time Horse of the Year and multimillionaire California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit). Hip 809 was bred in Kentucky.
  • A Curlin filly (Hip 943), sold for $460,000 to Donato Lanni, agent for Michael Lund Petersen, from the consignment of Denali Stud, agent. The bay filly is the second foal out of the graded stakes placed Freud mare Munchkin Money, from the immediate family of champion Echo Zulu and Grade 1 winner Echo Town. Hip 943 was bred in Kentucky by T & G Farm of Kentucky.
  • A Medaglia d'Oro filly (Hip 822), sold for $380,000 to Mayberry Farm from the consignment of Paramount Sales, agent. The dark bay or brown filly is the second foal out the stakes winning Tapit mare Magical, a full sister to multiple stakes winner Exulting and a half-sister to recent Monmouth Oaks (G3) winner Occult. From the immediate family of Grade 1 winners Dream Tree and Golden Ticket, Hip 822 was bred in Kentucky by Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds & Godolphin.

"We're actually trending pretty closely to last year's overall numbers, which is pretty remarkable considering how the sale took another huge leap last year," added Browning. "It's very encouraging to be in the same neighborhood. We look forward to another solid session tomorrow."

During the Wednesday session, 262 yearlings sold for $14,226,700, good for an average of $54,300. Forty-one (41) yearlings sold for $100,000 or more. Over the course of the first three sessions, 790 yearlings sold for $38,981,000, with an average of $49,343, and 110 sold for $100,000 or more.

Results are available online. The final session of Kentucky October Yearlings begins Thursday, October 26, at 10 AM.