Honor Code Colt on Top at Midlantic Fall Yearlings

The Midlantic Fall Yearlings sale concluded its 2019 session Tuesday with steady trade and a marked increase in average. Eleven yearlings by eleven different sires sold for six figures or more, continuing the strength and diversity shown during Monday's session.

The sale topper came in the form Hip 237, a colt from the second crop of Freshman Sire Honor Code, which sold for $190,000 midway through the session (video). The bay colt was purchased by Tim Hills, agent for Seagull Capital from the consignment of Bill Reightler, agent. Hip 237 is out of the winning Citidancer mare Mrs. Vanderbilt, making him a half-brother to five winners, including G2 Delaware Oaks winner Dancing Afleet and multiple stakes winner Tujoes. The sale topper was bred in Kentucky by Barbara Brown.

A filly from the first crop of Upstart became the top-priced filly of the session when purchased for $120,000 by Cary Frommer from the consignment of Dark Hollow Farm, agent. The dark bay or brown filly is out of the stakes winning Pure Prize mare Plum, already the dam of a winner in Spectacular Plum. Hip 271 was bred in Maryland by the consignor. The price was second for a filly only to Monday's session topper, a daughter of Tapizar which sold for $150,000 as Hip 122.

Overall, 300 yearlings changed hands for a total of $7,275,900, slightly down from when 338 sold last year for $7,318,700 out of a larger catalogue. The average rose 12% to $24,253 from $21,653 last year, while the median was $14,000. The RNA rate was 21%. Eleven yearlings sold for $100,000 or more, up from 10 sold at or above that figure last year. Sales of $50,000 or more rose 30% to 44 yearlings from 34 in 2018.

Results available online.