Two Grade 1-winning colts by Kentucky sires headlined the first session of the Fasig-Tipton sale of preferred New York-bred yearlings purchased by buyers with close ties to New York racing.

Hip 315 is a Constitution (Tapit ) Colt from the forestry mare See the Forest and sold for $300,000 to West Bloodstock, agent for Repole Stable. The colt, consigned by agent ELiTe, was bred by Ten Strike Racing.

See the Forest was claimed by Ten Strike and hip 315 is the first foal they bred and sold. The mare has produced three stakes winners and five racehorses that have earned more than $200,000.

“We’ve always bred for racing,” said Clay Sanders, co-founder of Ten Strike Racing. “She did so well for us that we decided to try a commercial stallion and sell him if the baby looks good.”

“He’s by Constitution,” Jacob West said, explaining why he was willing to spend $300,000 on the colt. “(Owner) Mike (Repole) is very supportive of the New York program and we’ve had a lot of luck with Constitution, so it made a lot of sense to do it right now.”

Constitution offered the 2024 season at WinStar Farm for $110,000, in contrast to Galileans (Uncle Mo ), the other stallion for whom West paid a six-figure sum.

Hip 350 is by the first yearling colt to be offered at Hidden Lake Farm in New York for $3,500. Consigned by agent Eaton Sales, the colt was bred by Blue Chip Bloodstock and purchased by West for $220,000.

“Welcome to Repole Stables,” West said with a grin, explaining the selection of pedigrees he had purchased. “I told Mike if I had put that horse up and said it was Uncle Mo’s, he would have brought (at least double) what he brought tonight. Galilean was quite a talented horse himself and well bred.”

Ed Rosen, part of the team working with Repole on distribution, added: “I love the female family.”

Hip 350 is by Three Am Tour (IRE) (Strategic Prince).

The first session of the two-day sale ended with 66 horses sold for a total of $6,860,000, a 14 percent increase over the gross proceeds of the first session last year. The average price was $103,939, an 8 percent decrease from the 2023 session, and the median also decreased from $100,000 to $89,000. The RNA rate decreased 6 percent, and 29 horses sold for at least $100,000.

“We’re off to an excellent start,” said Boyd Browning, president and CEO of Fasig-Tipton. “There was consistent trading from start to finish, and I’m encouraged by the drop in the buyback rate, which is traditionally high at this sale because of the opportunities New York breeders have to race.”

“Most people I spoke to on the sale floor said there was a slightly higher percentage of good horses on Monday than today,” he continued. “I’m looking forward to a very strong catalog on Monday.”

Trainer Christophe Clement bought the other yearling for $300,000, Vekoma (Candy ride ) Colt from the Shackleford Mare Alana’s Allure. The chestnut colt was sold as a weanling to Good Luck Farm for $100,000. She was bred by Cheryl A. Prudhomme and Dr. Michael Gallivan and sold on consignment for agent Taylor Made.

“It looks fast,” said Clement, grinning. “It’s probably too much money, but I’m keeping my dream alive. My son Miguel told me about it and I bought it on a whim. Now I need to find some owners who will support me and then I can carry on.”

“You always overspend on things you like. This is a very strong sale and I’m glad we participated.”