Gainesway stallion Empire Maker was represented by a $550,000 colt and a $420,000 filly during the Aug. 6 opening session of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga selected yearling sale in Saratoga Springs, New York. These were the first North American yearlings to be offered at public auction since Empire Maker returned to Kentucky for the 2016 breeding season.
The colt, consigned by Timber Town as Hip 38 for breeder Whisper Hill Farm, is out of the Storm Cat mare Miles of Style, a full-sister to Grade 1 winner Mr. Sidney from the family of 2003 Horse of the Year Mineshaft. The yearling is a half-brother to Grade 3 winner Term of Art and was hammered down to Bob Lothenbach’s Lothenbach Stables for a final bid of $550,000.
The filly, Hip 115, was consigned by Bluewater Sales and bred by H. Allen Poindexter from the Aptitude mare Speedy Escape, a five-time winner and the dam of three-time stakes winner Awesome Speed. Charles Zacney went to $420,000 to acquire the bay filly, whose fast immediate family also includes Triple Bend Invitational Handicap (G1) winner Unfurl the Flag.
A classic-winning racehorse, Empire Maker has sired 11 Grade 1 winners and established a strong classic sire line through his sons Pioneerof the Nile and Bodemeister, both of whom have sired winners of the Kentucky Derby.