William E. Graves (1948-2018)

William E. Graves
1/10/1948 – 5/30/2018

Bill Graves (right), with his son Brian // Photo: Joe DiOrio

Fasig-Tipton is deeply saddened to report the passing of the respected and much-loved Thoroughbred horseman, Bill Graves. A senior vice-president with more than 26 years service with the Thoroughbred auction company, Bill passed away after a short illness on May 30 at University of Kentucky Hospital. Bill’s son, Brian, director of public sales for Gainesway Farm, was at his side for his final days.

A native of Lynchburg, Virginia, Bill developed a formidable reputation as an elite competitor on the national show horse circuit. He competed at the top levels with much success. He was inducted into the Virginia Horse Show Association’s Hall of Fame in 2007.

In his early 20’s, Bill came to Lexington to begin a lifetime career with Thoroughbreds. He quickly showed exceptional skill as a yearling showman in Saratoga and Kentucky. He started Graves Stable with his late wife, Michele, and they were routinely leading consignors at Fasig-Tipton’s premier two-year-olds in training sales at Calder Race Course in Florida.

In 1992, Bill was recruited by Fasig-Tipton to review and manage its Selected Yearling Sales process. His talent and ability for finding exceptional quality were unparalleled. Much of the growth of the company’s yearling sales in Kentucky and Saratoga resulted directly from Bill’s eye for superior yearlings and his ability to recruit them from existing consignors and from many clients new to Fasig-Tipton’s selected auction schedule.

Though a lifetime of achievements, Bill was unquestionably proudest of the accomplishments of his son, Brian, as a horseman, and, with his wife, Leslie, as the parents of Bill’s three treasured grandchildren, Will, Catherine, and Carson. He is also survived by his brother, Reed Graves, and by his sister, Elizabeth (Ditty) Stone, both of Lynchburg, Virginia, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Kerr Brothers Funeral Home at 463 East Main Street in Lexington on Saturday, June 2 from 5:00-7:00 pm.

A Celebration of Bill’s life will be held in the sales pavilion at Fasig-Tipton on Newtown Pike, Lexington, KY, on Monday, June 4 at 2:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, 821 Corporate Drive, Lexington, KY 40503.

For further information
Terence Collier
(859) 255-1555

Medaglia d’Oro, Union Rags Bring Strong Finish to Midlantic Two-Year-Old Sale

Hip 565 // Fasig-Tipton Photo

For the fourth consecutive year, it was a seven-figure juvenile that topped the Midlantic Two-Year-Olds in Training sale.

The sale topper came towards the end of the second session. Hip 565, a colt by Medaglia d’Oro, lit up the board to the tune of $1,200,000 on Tuesday evening. Dennis O’Neill purchased the top-priced colt from the consignment of Hartley/de Renzo Thoroughbreds, agent. The colt is the first foal out of the graded stakes winning Tapit mare Tapicat. He worked an eighth in 10:1 during the Sunday session of the under tack show (video).

Four hips earlier, Hip 561, a colt by Union Rags, claimed the top spot briefly when sold to Michael Lund Peterson for $925,000 from the consignment of Bobby Dodd, agent. That colt worked an eighth in 10 flat on Sunday (video). Hip 561 represents a successful pinhook for his sellers, who purchased him for $90,000 at last year’s New York Bred Yearlings Sale.

Overall, 333 horses sold for a total of $24,868,500, good for an average of $74,680. The median increased 8.6% to $38,000 from $35,000 last year. Ninety-two horses sold for $100,000 or more, up from 78 six-figure sales in 2017.

Results are available online.

Midlantic Two-Year-Olds in Training: Session 2 Live Blog

Follow along as we recap the top hips of the first session of the Midlantic Two-Year-Olds in Training sale!

The sale has ended. Results are available online.

Hip 565 c. Medaglia d’Oro-Tapicat ($1,200,000)

Hip 565, a colt by Medaglia d’Oro, sold for $1,200,000 during the second session of the Midlantic Two-Year-Olds in Training sale. The bay colt was purchased by Dennis O’Neill from the consignment of Hartley/de Renzo Thoroughbreds after working a 10:1 eighth during Sunday’s under tack show [video].

This colt is the first foal of Florida Oaks (G3) winner Tapicat, by Tapit. The immediate family includes champion Track Robbery, Grade 1 winner and sire Cat Thief, and Grade 1 winner Pohave.

Hip 561 c. Union Rags-Tanglewood Tale ($925,000)

Hip 561, a colt by Union Rags, sold for $925,000 during the second session of the Midlantic Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale. The bay colt, named Tangled Union, was purchased by Michael Lund Peterson from the consignment of Bobby Dodd, agent. He worked an eighth in 10 flat during Sunday’s under tack show [video].

This colt is the second foal out of the winning Tale of the Cat mare Tangelwood Tale. Her first foal, a three-year-old full brother to Hip 561, is a multiple winner this year. The immediate family includes champion Housebuster, as well as graded stakes winners Be Gentle, Harvard Avenue, Quero Quero, Deep Sleep, Something Extra, and Nicole H.

Hip 533 c. Tiznow-Southern Charmer ($425,000)

Hip 533, a colt by Horse of the Year Tiznow, sold for $425,000 during the second session of the Midlantic Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale. The dark bay or brown colt was purchased by Linda Rice, agent from the consignment of Hartley/de Renzo Thoroughbreds after working an eighth in 10:2 on Sunday [video].

This colt is a half-brother to two winners from as many to race out of the stakes-placed winning Smart Strike mare Southern Charmer. That mare is out of graded stakes winner Power Play, who also produced stakes winner Vegas Play and Skipper’s Mate, dam of multiple graded stakes winner Frac Daddy. He is from the immediate family of graded/group stakes winners Camargo (IRE) and Gala Spinaway.

Hip 515 c. Flashback-Silver Sal ($275,000)

Hip 515, a colt from the first crop of Flashback, sold for $275,000 during the second session of the Midlantic Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale. The chestnut colt was purchased by Mr. Ed Savant, Jr. from the consignment of SBM Training & Sales. He worked an eighth on Sunday in 10:2 [video].

This colt is the second foal out of the winning Bob and John mare Silver Sal, who has already produced a winner. Silver Sal is a half-sister to multiple stakes winner Golden Set. The immediate family also includes graded stakes winner Cobra King and stakes winners Straight Story and Families Flying.

Hip 468 c. Into Mischief-Reina Maria ($340,000)

Hip 468, a colt by Into Mischief, sold for $340,000 during the second session of the Midlantic Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale. The bay colt was purchased by Charles Zacney from the consignment of Cary Frommer, agent after working a 10:1 eighth during Sunday’s under tack show [video].

This colt is the second foal out of the winning Songaprayer mare Reina Maria, herself a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Secret Compass. The immediate family also includes stakes winners Smoke Mountain, Addy’s Appeal, Winning Move, and Stage Stop.

Hip 427 c. Bodemeister-Plum ($300,000)

Hip 427, a colt by Bodemeister, sold for $300,000 during the second session of the Midlantic Two-Year-Olds in Training sale. The bay colt was purchased by Steven Young, agent from the consignment of Cary Frommer, agent. He worked an eighth in 10:2 during Sunday’s under tack show [video].

Out of the stakes winning Pure Prize mare Plum, this colt is a half-brother to current winner Spectacular Plum. This registered Maryland-bred is from the immediate family of multiple stakes winner Munchkin Michele.

Hip 418 c. Cairo Prince-Perfect Pegasus ($350,000)

Hip 418, a colt from the first crop of Cairo Prince, sold for $350,000 during the second session of the Midlantic Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale. The bay colt was purchased by West Bloodstock from the consignment of Bobby Dodd after working an eighth in 10:2 during Sunday’s under tack show [video].

This colt is the second foal out of the Fusaichi Pegasus mare Perfect Pegasus, a half-sister to graded stakes winner Perfect Officer. He is from the immediate family of Grade/Group 1 winners Full of Hope (GB), Westbury, and Koko Mambo.

Hip 384 c. Maclean’s Music-My Canary ($325,000)

Hip 384, a colt by Maclean’s Music, sold for $325,000 during the second session of the Midlantic Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale. The bay colt, named Better B Gud to Me, was purchased by Mike Ryan, agent from the consignment of De Meric Sales. He worked an eighth in 10:1 during Wednesday’s under tack show [video].

This colt is the second foal out of the Mineshaft mare My Canary. He is from the immediate family of champion Diva’s Debut and stakes winners Capdiva, Seismic Report, Swift and Bold, and Sunny Premier.

Hip 370 c. Justin Phillip-Miss Wined Up ($275,000)

Hip 370, a colt from the second crop of Justin Phillip, sold for $275,000 during the second session of the Midlantic Two-Year-Olds in Training sale. The chestnut colt was purchased by Ro Ro stable from the consignment of Top Line Sales after working a 10:1 eighth during Wednesday’s under tack show [video].

This colt is out of the Roman Ruler mare Miss Wined Up, a half-sister to graded stakes winner Midnight Hawk and stakes winner Mayor Marv, and a daughter of Grade 1 placed stakes winner Miss Wineshine.

Hip 310 c. Morning Line-Latitude Forty ($300,000)

Hip 310, a colt from the second crop of Morning Line, sold for $300,000 early in the second session of the Midlantic Two-Year-Olds in Training sale. The dark bay or brown colt was purchased by Turnpike Partners from the consignment of Wes Carter after working a quarter in 21:4 during Wednesday’s under tack show [video].

This colt is a half-brother to three winners of the multiple stakes winning Chester House mare Latitude Forty. He is from the immediate family of Grade 2 winning juvenile Night in Reno and multiple group stakes winner Holst.

More Than Ready Colt Ready to Go at Midlantic Sale

A colt by More Than Ready shot to the lead late Monday afternoon and held on to top the first session of the Midlantic Two-Year-Olds in Training sale held in Timonium, MD.

Offered as Hip 204 by Hartley/de Renzo Thoroughbreds, the colt by More Than Ready was purchased by Mr. Ed Savant, Jr. for $750,000. Out of Canadian champion Embur’s Song, Hip 204 worked a co-fastest eighth in 10:1 during Wednesday’s under tack show (video).

First crop sire Mucho Macho Man sired the session’s second highest price. Hip 278, a colt by the 2013 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner out of Itsagiantcauseway, sold for $625,000 late in the session. He was purchased by Michael Lund Peterson from the consignment of Kirkwood Stables after working a quarter in a sharp 21:1 during the second session of the under tack show (video).

The session’s top filly was Hip 246, a daughter of Bernardini out of Great Look (a full sister to multiple graded stakes winner Winning Cause, a graduate of this sale in 2012). The filly was purchased by Charles Zacney from the consignment of Paul Sharp after working an eighth in 10:2 on Wednesday (video).

Overall, 171 horses sold for $12,066,000, including 46 six-figure sales. The average was $71,151 and the median was $36,000.

The Midlantic Two-Year-Olds in Training sale continues tomorrow at 2 PM.

Results are available online.

Midlantic Two-Year-Olds in Training: Session 1 Live Blog

Follow along as we recap the top hips of the first session of the Midlantic Two-Year-Olds in Training sale! Session 1 has ended. Results are available online.

Hip 278 c. Mucho Macho Man-Itsagiantcauseway ($625,000)

Hip 278, a colt from the first crop of Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner Mucho Macho Man, sold for $625,000 during the first session of the Midlantic Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale. The chestnut colt was purchased by Michael Lund Peterson from the consignment of Kirkwood Stables after working a quarter in 21:1 during Wednesday’s under tack show [video].

Out of the winning Giant’s Causeway mare Itsagiantcauseway, this filly is from the immediate family of champions Forever Together and Peaks and Valleys, as well as successful sire Broken Vow and graded stakes winners Winged Victory, I Three Wed, Alternation, Eleusis, Fatima, Cryptograph, and Equality.

Hip 246 f. Bernardini-Great Look ($325,000)

Hip 246, a filly by Bernardini, sold for $325,000 during the first session of the Midlantic Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale. The dark bay or brown filly was purchased by Charles Zacney from the consignment of Paul Sharp, agent after a 10:2 work during Wednesday’s under tack show [video].

This filly is out of Great Look (Giant’s Causeway), an unraced sister of multiple graded stakes winner Winning Cause, who graduated from this sale in 2012. She is from the immediate family of Grade/Group 1 winners Emerging Talent, Twilight Agenda, Refuse to Bend (IRE), Media Puzzle, and Rich Tapestry (IRE).

Hip 204 c. More Than Ready-Embur’s Song ($750,000)

Hip 204, a colt by More Than Ready, shot to the lead when sold for $750,000 during the first session of the Midlantic Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale. The dark bay or brown colt was purchased by Mr. Ed Savant, Jr. from the consignment of Hartley/de Renzo Thoroughbreds after a 10:1 work during Wednesday’s under tack show [video].

This colt is out of Canadian champion Embur’s Song, by Unbridled’s Song, a multiple graded stakes winner, and is a half-brother to the winning Speightstown filly Lyrics. The dam is a half-sister to Dawn Raid (Vindication), dam off multiple Grade 1 winning multimillionaire Exaggerator. The immediate family also includes Grade 1 winning millionaire Island Sand.

Hip 146 c. Maclean’s Music-Cheyenne Autumn ($300,000)

Hip 146, a colt by Maclean’s Music, sold for $300,000 during the first session of the Midlantic Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale. The bay colt was purchased by Steve Young, agent from the consignment of Scanlon Training & Sales after a 10:1 work during Tuesday’s under tack show [video].

This colt is the second foal out of the unraced Indian Charlie mare Cheyenne Autumn, whose second dam is Test S. (G1) winner Missed the Storm. The immediate family includes champions Chris Evert, Chief’s Crown, Winning Colors, and Deep Sky, as well as Grade 1 winners Classic Crown, Sightseek, Tates Creek, Etoile Montante, and Tap Dance City.

Hip 106 f. Uncle Mo-Bisbee’s Prospect ($300,000)

Hip 106, a filly by Uncle Mo, sold for $300,000 during the first session of the Midlantic Two-Year-Olds in Training sale. The dark bay or brown filly was purchased by Augustin Stables from the consignment of De Meric Sales after a 10:2 work during Tuesday’s under tack show [video].

This filly is a half-sister to five winners from as many to race out of the stakes winning Smart Strike mare Bisbee’s Prospect. She is from the immediate family of graded stakes winners Buy the Barrel, Demarcation, Fishy Advice, and Mauk Four.

Hip 88 c. Fed Biz-Ascot Momma ($280,000)

Hip 88, a colt from the first crop of Fed Biz, sold for $280,000 during the first session of the Midlantic Two-Year-Olds in Training sale. By Fed Biz, a multiple Grade 2 winner and multiple track record setter, the dark bay or brown colt was purchased by Olin Gentry, agent from the consignment of Wavertree Stables after a 10:2 work during Tuesday’s under tack show [video].

This colt is the first foal out of the Purge mare Ascot Momma, a half-sister to multiple stakes winner Five Star Momma. He hails from the immediate family of graded stakes winner England’s Rose and stakes winners The Bourse, Frozen Dinner, and Sneak a Cold Treat.

Grant Williamson to Join Fasig-Tipton

Fasig-Tipton announced today that industry veteran Grant Williamson will be joining the company’s staff, effective June 11.  He will join the auction team as a sales announcer, and will also serve as an Account Executive, participating in sales recruitment.

Williamson is currently the Director of Stallion Nominations and Sales at Three Chimneys Farm.  Prior to Three Chimneys, he worked for Adena Springs and Vinery, Ltd., in a variety of capacities, including stallion director.

“Grant brings twenty-five years of experience in the Thoroughbred industry to Fasig-Tipton,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning.  “We are excited to add his talents to our team.”

Williamson commented: “I am most appreciative to Three Chimneys for the chance to be involved with the farm at such an exciting time. This new chapter represents a once in a lifetime opportunity that I could not pass up.”

For further information:
Evan Ferraro
(859)255-1555

Final Session of Midlantic Two-Year-Olds in Training Under Tack Show Will Begin at 10 AM Tomorrow

The third and final session of the Midlantic Two-Year-Olds in Training under tack show will begin at 10 AM tomorrow (Sunday, May 20) at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium, Maryland.

Hips 401-600 will perform in tomorrow’s under tack show.

Sale sessions will take place this Monday and Tuesday, May 21 and 22, with a revised start time of 2 PM for both sessions.

For further information:
Evan Ferraro
(859)255-1555

 

Midlantic Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale Sessions Will Now Begin at 2PM

Fasig-Tipton is adjusting the start time of the two sale sessions of its Midlantic Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale.  The two sessions, which will be conducted this Monday and Tuesday, May 21 and 22, will now begin at 2 pm – instead of 11 am as originally scheduled.

The company recently announced the postponement of the sale’s third under tack show session to this Sunday due to inclement weather.  The start time of Sunday’s under tack show will be determined on Saturday depending on weather and track conditions.

“Pushing back the start time of both sale sessions to 2 pm will ensure that buyers will have ample time to complete their pre-sale inspections and evaluations,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning.

For further information:
Evan Ferraro
(859)255-1555

 

3rd Session of Midlantic Two-Year-Olds in Training Under Tack Show Postponed

Due to current and forecasted weather conditions in Timonium, Maryland, the third session of the Midlantic Two-Year-Olds in Training under tack show has been postponed until this Sunday, May 20.

The start time will be determined based on track and weather conditions.  The safety of all horses and riders is of paramount importance and the first priority of Fasig-Tipton.

For further information:
Evan Ferraro
(859)255-1555