By B. Jason Brooks
The 2026 Saratoga Sale demonstrated continued strong demand for Phipps bloodlines at the top end of the Thoroughbred yearling market, with eight yearlings grossing $8,900,000 and averaging $1,112,500. This is the second consecutive year in which yearlings from Phipps female families have averaged more than $1 million.
The average sale price for yearlings sold from Phipps female families exceeded the average for those sold from non-Phipps families by $353,368, or 46.5 percent. The 144 yearlings sold from non-Phipps families averaged $759,132.
The average price for yearlings sold from Phipps families also increased, with this year’s average rising 9.9 percent from 2025. Last year, eight yearlings from Phipps families grossed $8,095,000 and averaged $1,011,875 (see the August 2025 story “Saratoga Sale Yearlings from Phipps Families Average More Than $1 Million“).
Five of the eight yearlings from Phipps families sold for seven figures.
$2.3 million was the most expensive yearling sold from Phipps families. The Into Mischief colt (Hip 91) out of Tapit mare Stellar Sound was purchased by Flying Dutchmen from the Hill ‘n’ Dale consignment. The colt’s second through fourth dams are Phipps mares from the Versailles Treaty branch of Phipps foundation mare Ten Cents a Dance.
(Photo: Hip 91, colt, Into Mischief – Stellar Sound, by Tapit)
$1.7 million was paid by Spendthrift Farm and Delta Squad Racing for a Taylor Made Sales-consigned colt (Hip 129) by Not This Time out of Pioneerof the Nile mare Way too Pretty. The colt’s second through tenth dams are Phipps mares from the successful Get Lucky branch of Baby League.
$1.55 million was realized for a Justify colt (Hip 212) out of Smart Strike mare Good Omen. Speedway Stables purchased him from the Warrendale Sales consignment. His eighth dam Hopefully and ninth dam White Favor are Phipps mares.
$1.2 million was the final price for a Life Is Good colt (Hip 201) out of Street Sense mare From the Hood. She was purchased by Amo Racing from the consignment of Taylor Made Sales. The colt’s fifth through eighth dams are Phipps mares from the Bases Full branch of Baby League.
$1.075 million secured a Candy Ride (ARG) filly (Hip 40) out of Street Sense mare Off Topic. She was purchased by Andrew Hudson’s Hoolie Racing and an unnamed partner, from the consignment of Scott Mallory. The filly’s third through seventh dams are Phipps mares from the Educated Risk branch of Grey Flight.
The other three yearlings sold from Phipps families were:
$450,000 for an Uncle Mo colt (Hip 77) out of Gone Astray mare Shifty She, purchased by Repole Stable from the VanMeter Sales consignment. The colt’s third through seventh dams are Phipps mares from the Educated Risk branch of Grey Flight.
$425,000 for another Uncle Mo colt (Hip 161) out of Candy Ride (ARG) mare Canteen, purchased by Tom Durant from the Gainesway consignment. The colt’s fourth through seventh dams are Phipps mares from the Marking Time branch of Big Hurry.
$200,000 for an Arabian Lion colt (Hip 151) out of Arch mare Battle Bridge, purchased by III Beauty’s Thoroughbreds and Murry Smith from the Vinery Sales consignment. The colt’s second through ninth dams are Phipps mares from the Narrative branch of Belle Histoire.
In addition to those sold, bidding reached $1.95 million for a Not This Time colt (Hip 65) out of Phipps-bred Medaglia d’Oro mare Sabbatical, but he did not meet his reserve. The colt’s first nine dams are Phipps mares from the Get Lucky branch of Baby League.
The success of Saratoga Sale yearlings from Phipps female families creates strong momentum for these bloodlines in the upcoming Keeneland September Sale.
B. Jason Brooks is a Thoroughbred racing and pedigree researcher, writer, and social media manager based in Saratoga Springs, New York. He can be followed on X at @bjbrooksNY.
