AUDLEY SELLS EASTERN FALL SALES TOPPER

Virginia’s Audley Farm, which splits its yearlings annually between Keeneland September, Fasig-Tipton Timonium and Fasig-Tipton October Kentucky, continued to build on the success they had last month at Keneland when they sold a Smart Strike - Untouched Talent half-sister to Grade 1 winner and Kentucky Derby and Preakness runner-up Bodemeister for $1.3 million. Monday, at the FasigpTipton Timonium sale, the Berryville nursery sold the highest price yearling for $300,000 and the third highest price one as well for $120,000.

Overall, the sale reduced both the catalog and the number of days the sale lasted cataloging 375 as opposed to 535 last year.  When the last hammer fell, the sale was up 22.5% on average ($22,341 in 2012 compared to $18,241 in 2011), 29.7% on median with the buy-back rate falling from 26.2% to 15%.

Audley topped the sale with a filly by Malibu Moon, out of stakes placed Never Fail, who realized a  final bid of $300,000 from Ellen Charles of Hillwood Stable.  In addition, Audley sold a filly by First Samurai , out of the stakes winner Midtown Miss for $120,000. Both fillies were sold under the banner of Rick Charlton’s Abbott Agency. 

Dr. Jens von Lepel, Equine Consultant for Audley Farm, told the Thoroughbred Daily News the breeders were more than pleased with the results.

“We are very, very happy,” von Lepel said. “I think this year we’re having a fillies year, first at Keeneland, and now we have these two nice fillies.”

Von Lepel noted that the prices were higher than they expected, but they were aware they were bringing two quality individuals to the sale.

“The Malibu Moon is a beautiful filly,” he commented.

“She has a lot of scope, nice conformation and the good thing is she’s the only Malibu Moon at this sale, so there was no other competition. We were positively surprised to get that much money, though. You never expect that, and we’re very happy.”

Von Lepel noted that Hip 54 benefitted from being by the same sire as multiple Grade I winner Executiveprivilege (First Samurai). “She’s a gorgeous filly, very balanced and very racey looking,” said von Lepel.  

“This sale has been very good to us,” von Lepel added. “It’s nearby and just very handy, and we have a good consignor in Rick Abbott, Charlton Agency. He’s known us a long time, so it’s a good combination.”

VA-BREDS AT EASTERN FALL

32 C Value Plus – Long Message, Harry L. Landry Bloodstock LLC, Agent - $3,000 Richard Hessee/P. Morell, AGT.

54 F First Samurai – Midtown Miss, Charlton (Mr. & Mrs. Rick Abbott) Agent For Audley Farm - $120,000, Cary Frommer, Agent.

77 F Jump Start – Mystic Bay, Corner Farm - $15,000, Chester Gilleo.

81 F Malibu Moon – Never Fail, Charlton (Mr. & Mrs. Rick Abbott) Agent For Audley Farm - $300,000, Ellen M. Charles.

147 C Smoke Glacken – Senate Caucus, Corner Farm - $30,000, Wes Carter.

188 F During – Tactical Fortune, Morgan’s Ford Farm - $15,000, James McIngvale/Tom Foley, Agent.

287 F E Dubai – Classic Contender, Bill Reightler, Agent - $8,500, A. Ferris Allen, III.

306 F Grand Slam – Doctoressa, Morgan’s Ford Farm - $60,000, James McIngvale/Tom Foley, Agent.

309 F Two Punch – Dosh, Dapple Stud, Agent for Goshen Farm - $25,000, Joe Novogratz.

349 C Jump Start – Green Jeans, Dapple Stud, Agent for Goshen Farm - $35,000, John Forbes.