Fri, 27 September 1996
Hi Al,
Well, I guess my psychic abilities need tuning. I had rather expected that
this year's Fasig-Tipton sale to be similar to the TTBA yearling sale in
average sale prices. I was wrong. Methinks I sent my horses to the wrong
sale.
This year's Fasig-Tipton sale was kicked off on Sept. 22nd by a dispersal of Joe Archer's horses. They seemed to sell well. He sold 35 head for a total of $386,000, which brings the average to $11,029. The top of his session was the mare Appealing Girl, who sold for $40k to Biggs Farm, Inc. A total of 13 head were RNA.
The second day of the sale was preferred yearlings, although, to me, the catalogue didn't look overly strong. On this day, 67 yearlings sold for an average of $7,061, which is about $3,000 better than the open TTBA yearling average. Two horses brought top price of $35k. The first is a Phone Trick filly out of Katie Lynn, sold by Glorianna Farm to LW Heiligbrodt of Houston. The second was also a filly, this one by Gilded Time, out of Chieftan's Native, sold by Double Diamond Ranch, agent to David Krausmeyer. Thirty-four horses did not meet their reserve.
Retama Park opens their QH meet in October, and it runs through Nov 30th. There is a new twist for horsemen at Retama this year. After the finish of the QH meet, instead of closing their doors, Retama will open for off-season training. The track will keep some officials on board so that official works and gate approvals can be obtained. The track is also awaiting final closing on the sale of the track to Call Now Inc. Once the sale is closed, Retama may begin simulcasting. This would be a big boon to the track.
Sam Houston, meanwhile, is about to open their fall TB meet. They will run Oct 3-Dec 8. SHRP officials started a new program in June (ok, so I'm a little slow picking this tidbit up). The Adopt-A-Racehorse program has relocated a number of former racehorses to new homes. These new homes are screened in order to be sure the horse(s) will receive proper care. The AAR program takes applications from prospective owners. When the screening process is finished, the program acts as a mediator between the prospective owner and the current owner of the horse. Although some fees may go to the owner of the horse, no fees are paid to the AAR program itself. For more info, contact Rich Linihan at SHRP (713) 807-8778 or Lauren Miller (713) 851-3944. What a great program.
Naevus has become the third TX based stallion, after Marfa and Mr. Redoy, to achieve progeny earnings which passed the $10M mark. The most currently recognized (to me, anyhow) of his progeny is The Barking Shark, who finished second (I think) in the Louisianna Super Derby (bane of Will's Way and local favorite Vivace). Billy Hanna of Houston moved Naevus from McDermott Ranch in Waller to Stoneview Farm in Hempstead.
I did find out that Michael Mulligan, who bought my Mr. Redoy filly, is from Ocala. Can't wait to find out if she'll sell ina 2yo in training sale. I hope she knocks 'em out!
Guess I ought to get back to work. Hope all is well.
Later,
Jill
Jill Tittle 
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Life is not a spectator sport
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The Running Horse (http://www.isd1.com/alauck)