Australian syndicate tops Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Sale

An Australian syndicate based in New York topped the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Winter Sale on Monday.

SF Bloodstock bought a striking Indian Charlie yearling filly that headed the Lexington leader-board.  The half sister to stakes winners Shameful (Flying Chevron) and Little Matth Man (Matty G) brought $245,000.

SF Bloodstock has been very active recently in the North American broodmare market.  Its partners include Gavin Murphy, an Australian working in New York City, and Australian agents Neil Bowden and Henry Field.

“She’s obviously a beautiful filly by a proper stallion and has lots of residual value,” Select Sales partner Tom Ryan said after buying the filly on behalf of the Australians.   “She has size, scope, and strength and will be part of our racing program.”

The filly’s family has several pedigree updates.  Shameful is the dam of Champion USA Filly Indian Blessing (Indian Charlie).

The Lexington filly by Indian Charlie was bred in Virginia by Wick and Carter McNeely and they decided to sell in February instead of later in the year.  Being a big fish in small pond helped and her dam is back in foal to Indian Charlie.  

Street Cry mare Hatta Diamond brought $170,000 to be next best during the one-day sale.  She was purchased by Paul Pompa Jr who said there was a lot of appeal about the mare.  “She’s by Street Cry and in foal to Bernardini.  She’s a mare that matches up well with Big Brown; in all likelihood, she’ll be bred to him this year.”

Pompa was a member of the partnership that raced Vinery shuttler Big Brown who captured the 2008 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.

The Fasig-Tipton February Sale improved its median price (7%) and clearance rate (6%) from 2010 but the USA market is brutal for stock that doesn’t have commercial appeal.  The average price declined 7.3% to $14,739.

“People are beginning to have a little bit more confidence in the world, and, hopefully as a result of that, in the thoroughbred industry,” Fasig-Tipton president Boyd Browning said.  “Obviously, there was strong demand for quality offerings.  It was consistent with sales in the past year and, frankly, the past several years.”

No guarantee stallion nominations were also sold with Darley’s Medaglia d’Oro the most expensive at $78,000.