Saratoga confirmed its power: a record-breaking opening session and a market that keeps on growing

The opening session of Fasig-Tipton's select yearling sale produced extraordinary numbers, with 15 offerings eclipsing the million-dollar mark and a colt by Nyquist topping the day at $3.2 million

SARATOGA SPRINGS, New York—The Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale once again reaffirmed why it is considered the most prestigious select yearling auction in the United States. The opening of its 105th edition delivered a true flurry of seven-figure prices, an intensely competitive market, and key metrics pointing toward another historical sale.

The first major sensation arrived just 19 lots into the evening, when Saudi owner Amr Zedan shelled out $2,000,000 for a son of Curlin, setting the tone for a session that never slowed down.

However, the night's main star proved to be a colt by Nyquist, purchased by Boyd Racing—the operation of Randyand Jenny Boyd—for $3,200,000, standing as the top seller of the session.

The final yearling to enter the ring, a colt by Gun Runner, brought the temperature back to a boil when M.V. Magnier, representing Coolmore, alongside owner Peter Brant, took the bidding to $1,900,000, becoming the 15th offering to eclipse the million-dollar barrier during the session.

The final figures reflected the extraordinary intensity of demand. With just 79 lots sold, gross receipts reached $54,395,000—more than half of the all-time record of $100,845,000 generated across the entire 2025 sale.

Key indicators also showed sharp growth compared to the previous year. The average price soared to $688,544, well above the $626,366 overall average recorded during the record-setting 2025 edition, while the median climbed to $500,000, surpassing last year's mark of $450,000.

A direct comparison with opening night in 2025 is equally telling. On that occasion, 77 yearlings changed hands for $39,975,000, yielding an average of $519,156 and a median of $400,000—figures clearly eclipsed by this year's results.

For Boyd Browning Jr., president of Fasig-Tipton, the opener exceeded even the highest expectations: "It was a phenomenal start to the 105th edition of the Saratoga Yearling Sale. From Hip 2—since Hip 1 was an out—to the very last horse that stepped into the ring, the energy was palpable. The bidding activity was remarkably strong. It was just a fantastic session," he summarized.

The executive explained that momentum had been building for weeks, though the market's response ultimately outpaced all forecasts: "We were optimistic when we put the catalog together. We were even more optimistic when the horses arrived on the grounds. Then we saw the massive turnout of buyers inspecting the yearlings and the intense activity in the repository. But even with all that optimism, the results exceeded our expectations," he noted.

Nevertheless, Browning urged caution, reminding that the second and final session remained to be played.

"We like where we stand at halftime, and we hope to put together another great session this Tuesday. There is still a very strong group of yearlings left to walk through the ring. I'll sleep a little better tonight... though we still have half the job left to do," he concluded.

With such a explosive launch, Saratoga proved once again that it remains the ultimate bellwether of the elite American market, where top-tier pedigrees continue to spark fierce competition among owners and breeders worldwide.