by Pete Denk

The buy-back rate improved from 35.6% in 2008 to 25.1% in 2009 at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky fall yearling sale, which ended its three-day run in Lexington on Wednesday with positive year-to-year comparisons across the board.

Fasig-Tipton reported 566 horses as sold from 756 offered for total receipts of $7,895,400, a 5.7% increase from last year.

Average price improved 3.2% on year-to-year comparisons to $13,949. Median improved 9.1% to $6,000.

“The great news is that we had a better year than last year in every statistical category, and the improvement in the clearance rate would be the high mark that we’re most proud of,” said Dan Pride, chief executive officer of Fasig-Tipton. “We were thrilled by the final results. We were cautious coming into the week. To have a sale with the volume of horses we had, it was a victory for those selling and buying.”

The fall sale was canceled in March, but Fasig-Tipton reinstated it after an outcry from sellers and buyers.

“This sale is the last opportunity to move a yearling before they have to put it in training and find another sale venue, which adds expenses,” Pride said. “That was one of the main points why we brought it back, and the results were a great vindication for those who pushed to get this sale back. We’re thrilled it worked out this way.”

Three colts tied for sale-topping honors. Julie Cauthen, agent for Donegal Racing, bought a Dynaformer colt out of Grade 3 winner Knight Prospector, by Native Prospector, for $150,000 from Three Chimneys Sales, agent.

Lynden Branch bought a Candy Ride (Arg) colt out of the stakes-winning Family Calling mare Midwife for $150,000 from Viking Stud, agent.

Glen Hill Farm went to $150,000 for a Tapit colt out of multiple stakes winner Frans Lass, by Shanekite, from Equus Farm, agent.

Glen Hill was the leading buyer with three purchases for $415,000 and also bought the sale’s top-priced filly, a daughter of Indian Charlie named Solar Spotlight, for $135,000. Out of the Afleet mare Girl in Velvet, Solar Spotlight was consigned by Glenmalure Farm, agent.

Kitten’s Joy, one of the leading freshman sires of 2009, was the leading overall sire with three yearlings sold for an average of $69,333. Bluegrass Cat led the first-crop yearling sires with two sold for an average of $55,000.

Bluegrass Thoroughbred Services was the leading consignor by total sales with 11 yearlings sold for $398,200.

Pete Denk is sales editor of Thoroughbred Times