by Pete Denk

The Fasig-Tipton Co. Midlantic Eastern fall yearling sale opened Monday in Timonium, Maryland, with an improved clearance rate but a 35% decline in median from last year.

Fasig-Tipton reported 192 of 267 horses offered as sold for total receipts of $2,518,100, a 9.5% decline from last year’s opening session when 171 horses sold for $2,783,400.

Average price declined 19.4% to $13,115. Monday’s median of $6,500 compared unfavorably to $10,000 at the same session last year.

Paget Bennett, sales director of the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic division, said the sale fell in line depressed economic expectations.

“The RNA rate went down and we did get more horses sold,” Bennett said. “I think everybody came in with the same expectations of previous yearling sales, and it went as expected. We’re happy we got as many horses sold as we did.”

Only one horse cleared the $100,000 plateau—a Malibu Moon colt out of the Deputy Commander mare Two Chimneys from the consignment of Paramount Sales, agent. Dell Ennis of Midland, Virginia, purchased the session topper for $117,000.

Bred in Pennsylvania by Dr. William M. Hovis and Taylor Brothers Properties, the colt was sold privately after he was listed as reserve not attained on final bid of $19,000 at the 2008 Keeneland November breeding stock sale.

“He was RNA’d for $19,000 as a foal and then bought privately, so it was a good profit for the owner today,” said Paramount’s Patrick Costello, who said the seller preferred to remain anonymous. “He was a standout up here. Malibu Moon is a great sire and is especially well-respected in this region. We aimed at this sale with this colt.”

Two fillies tied as the top-priced females of the session at $57,000, and Ocala-based pinhooker Nick de Meric purchased both of them. Moreau Bloodstock International co-bred and consigned, as agent, a Congrats filly out of Western Resolve, by West by West.

The other top filly, named May Fay, is an El Corredor filly out of the stakes-placed Alydeed mare Baby Lou. Bred in Kentucky by Liberation Farm and Brandywine Farm, the filly was pinhooked by Classic Bloodstock for $38,000 out of the 2008 Keeneland November sale and consigned by Candyland, agent, on Monday.

The final session of the Midlantic sale begins Tuesday at 10 a.m. EDT.

Pete Denk is sales editor for Thoroughbred Times