Buyers Brave Freezing Conditions for Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale

Buyers and consignors braved frigid Lexington temperatures and wind chills below zero to attend the Fasig‑Tipton Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale at Newtown Paddocks, where bidding opened at 10:00 a.m. Monday for a catalogue of 411 entries. Organizers and consignors reported healthy turnout and active pre‑sale activity despite the Arctic conditions.

Optimism on the grounds centered on strong consignments and targeted commercial prospects. Vinery Sales arrived with a deep book, and Derek MacKenzie of Vinery Sales said, “Traffic's been great. Even though the weather's been bad, it doesn't look like it's stopping anybody from coming out. We're feeling good about it. I think it'll be another strong sale. Both November and January, pretty much all of the mixed sales, have been strong. This one should be too.” Paramount Sales reported solid interest in the short yearling division; Lesley Campion noted, “The weather has been brutal. But traffic the last few days has been great, very healthy. I think the average showing on our [short yearlings] was around 57. I feel as though the folks that are coming out to see them are here in earnest because [the weather] weeds out less‑serious buyers.”

High‑profile supplements and mares drew particular attention. Grade 1 winner Iscreamuscream was added to the catalogue as hip 385, consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency and offered with a pre‑approved nomination to leading stallion Not This Time. Taylor said, “Iscreamuscream fits Not This Time like a glove.” Fasig‑Tipton materials highlighted Not This Time’s commercial credentials: from six crops to race the stallion has sired 11 Grade 1 winners, 33 graded stakes winners, three champions, and progeny that have earned more than $70 million, including 17 yearlings that fetched seven figures in 2025. The sale release additionally cited the $6,200,000 Fasig‑Tipton November sale price for Streak of Luck in foal to Not This Time as context for the stallion’s market clout.

Hill ’n’ Dale’s book included two mares in foal to a top stallion, notably Ava’s Grace, a Laoban‑bred La Troienne Stakes third offered as hip 126, and Elle Sueno, a Street Cry produce listed as hip 193. Fasig‑Tipton also signaled that supplemental entries remained open via its client portal, and the full catalogue was available for viewing ahead of the 10:00 a.m. start.

The wider sales season has not been immune to winter weather disruptions; Ocala Breeders’ Sales faced Arctic Blast concerns in late January, and OBS director Tod Wojciechowski cautioned, “Hopefully, the buyers that come in from out of town can maintain their travel connections, and it doesn't disrupt the sale.” For Fasig‑Tipton, however, the prevailing storyline was resilience: active traffic, marquee broodmare prospects, and an appetite for stallion nominations that underwrite yearling values.

For buyers, consignors and bloodstock agents, Monday’s trade will be an early indicator of how tight commercial demand remains heading into the breeding season. Fasig‑Tipton’s press office can be reached through Evan Ferraro at (859) 255‑1555 or info@fasigtipton.com for catalogue inquiries and post‑sale charts, while McMahon & Hill offered on‑site advisory contact emails for buyers seeking strategy.