Maggie d'Oro Tops Winter Opener

Maggie d'Oro | Fasig-Tipton photo

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The Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale started its two-day run Monday in Lexington, with the young Medaglia d'Oro mare Maggie d'Oro, carrying a foal from what will be the final crop of the late Scat Daddy, leading the way with a final price tag of $210,000. The opening session saw 185 horses sell for a gross of $3,295,500, an average of $17,814, and a median of $8,000. The RNA rate, from 63 horses not sold, was 25.4%. Five horses fetched seven-figure pricetags versus seven such sales last February. Compared to last year, gross dropped 16.95%, while the average decreased 41.19% and the median was down 52.94%. In 2015, 131 horses sold for $3,968,400 during the opening session, leading to an average of $30,293 and a median of $17,000, a session bolstered by the sale of the talented dual Grade III-winning racemare Gamay Noir (Harlan's Holiday) to Justin Casse for $375,000. The RNA rate was 20.1%.

“I thought it was fairly predictable, as expected,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. “If you were selling a horse that was worth less than $15,000-$20,000, it was very difficult. We continue to see a polarized market. Buyers are selective, but they are also very competitive.

“I think we will see some of those same trends continue tomorrow, although just as catalogues fall, I think there are certainly some higher quality offerings tomorrow, and I would expect more fireworks tomorrow than we've seen today.”

The session topper came early in the day when Maggie d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro) sold to the Masson family's Green Lantern Stables for $210,000. Last year, multiple graded stakes winner Gamay Noir (Harlan's Holiday) topped the corresponding session when she sold to Justin Casse for $375,000.

“Last year, the first session was higher than the second session, and I will be extremely surprised and disappointed if the second session this year doesn't significantly outperform the first session,” said Browning. “That is just a matter of how horses fell in the catalogue. There is no scientific effort to try and have one day better than the other.”

There was some excitement at the very end of the opening session when the last horse to be led into the ring, Zondaq (Bernardini) (hip 296), sold to New Providence Bloodstock for $190,000, making her the second-highest priced lot of the day. Consigned by Valkyre Stud, agent, the 3-year-old filly was offered as a racing or broodmare prospect and is a half-sister to graded stakes winners Discreet Dancer (Discreet Cat) and Travelin Man (Trippi).

The sale also got off to a quick start with Kateri (Indian Charlie) selling for $167,000. Consigned by Paramount Sales, agent, Kateri (hip 18) went to Sallusto & Albina, agents for Newtown Anner Stud. The 4-year-old mare, who is a half-sister to millionaire and Grade I winner Tiz Miz Sue (Tiznow), was offered in foal to Paynter.

However, only two other horses in the opening session realized six figures. Suzy Sage (Unbridled's Song) went to Bluewater Sales, agent, for $130,000. Offered in foal to Uncle Mo, Suzy Sage (hip 228) was consigned by Burleson Farms, agent. Fran and Ron Stolich went to $100,000 to secure Lady Zieg (Touch Gold). Consigned by Summerfield, agent, Lady Zieg (hip 28) is in foal to Will Take Charge and has already produced stakes winner Ackeret (Mach Ride).

A total of 296 horses were cataloged for Monday's session. The two-day sale concludes Tuesday with hips 297-528. For catalogue, results and outs, or to watch the sale live, visit www.fasigtipton.com.

Limited supply, high demand

The star of the opening session was Maggie d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro), who realized $210,000 when selling to the Masson family's Green Lantern Stables.

Although she was unraced, the 6-year-old mare is in foal to Scat Daddy, whose unexpected death in December has only made his progeny more popular.

“[The price] was a bit iffy,” said Patrick Masson, who signed the ticket. “I didn't really want to spend that much on her, but for a horse like that, and the way the market is going, everyone is on single horses.”

Select Sales consigned Maggie d'Oro (hip 55), who is out of Ionlyhaveeyesforu (Tunerup), making her a half-sister to multiple Grade III winner Gaff (Maria's Mon).

“I think you are constantly seeing a retreat to quality,” said Select Sales' Carrie Brogden. “We were never intending on selling her, but when Scat Daddy passed, we figured there might be a premium for the mares pregnant to him because it is going to be his last crop, which is really sad. I was thrilled to bits with how she sold, and it is a great home she went to.”

The mare was actually bred in partnership by Select Sales and sold as a weanling for $125,000. When she was injured on a free walker as a juvenile, Brogden ended up buying her back as a broodmare prospect. Maggie d'Oro produced her first foal, a Data Link colt, in 2015.

The Massons race under the name Green Lantern and are best known for campaigning the likes of Grade I winner Karelian (Bertrando) and millionaire Gotta Have Her (Royal Academy). Plans call for Maggie d'Oro to join the broodmare band at Golden Age Farm, which is their property in Versailles, Kentucky. She will be bred to Paynter for 2017.

“The philosophy my dad and I have is to buy good-pedigreed horses,” said Masson. “I feel she can throw a really good racehorse and a really good sale horse. I loved the way she looks, I love her family, and I love the sire she is in foal to. He is no longer around, but he is a great sire, and I loved him from the start.”

 

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