On August 4, 2025, the Fasig‑Tipton Saratoga Yearling Sale kicked off in sensational fashion. Bookending a wave of seven‑figure transactions, the opening session shortly after hip 13 featured a sales‑topping bay colt by Gun Runner, bred by Bobby Flay and consigned via Stone Farm. The colt, catalogued as Hip 37, garnered relentless bidding before being knocked down to Winchell Thoroughbreds for $2.7 million—a veritable statement purchase by a serious buyer in the Bloodstock arena .
Market Momentum and Early Indicators
This sale opener was nothing short of electric. By the time Hip 37 crossed the block, eight more horses had already breached the million-dollar mark, and by night’s end, nine yearlings had sold for seven figures—surpassing the previous year’s pace . With 77 yearlings sold on opening day, the session raked in $39,975,000, yielding an average of $519,156 and a median of $400,000—both nearly mirroring last year’s numbers. Still, Boyd Browning, Fasig‑Tipton’s president, described it as “a tremendous start,” citing an unusually low buy-back rate of 12.5% as a sign of rare market depth, especially so early in the catalogue .
Why the Hype Over Hip 37?
Gun Runner, Horse of the Year in 2017 and now a blue-chip stallion, continues to leave an indelible mark on the yearling market. The label “a replica of Gun Runner” likely sprang from the colt’s outstanding physical presence, fluid movement, and the flash one expects from the sire—a powerful validation of his progeny’s market appeal and athletic promise .
Stone Farm’s consignment added further polish to the package, and Flay’s breeding acumen couldn’t be ignored. The colt is out of the graded-stakes-placed mare America, who also produced First Captain, a dual graded-stakes winner and the TDN Rising Star—traits buyers prize in the pursuit of excellence .
Winchell Thoroughbreds, himself closely tied to Gun Runner’s legacy—having campaigned the stallion—was cited as decisive in the purchase. Trainer Steve Asmussen distilled the attraction simply: “The sire. That is exactly who we thought we saw when we looked at him.” Winchell added with characteristic conviction, “We like to stick with what we know,” signaling both lineage loyalty and a poker‑faced execution of strategy .
Broader Context: Gun Runner’s Market Strength
The prominence of Gun Runner‑sired yearlings wasn’t confined to this one sale. Earlier in March 2025, a Gun Runner colt at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales (OBS) March 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale fetched a then-record $3 million, marking one of the most expensive juvenile yearlings in OBS history .
And just days after the Saratoga opener, at Wednesday’s session two, demand for Gun Runner persisted. A colt by the stallion, sold as hip 179, realized $2.9 million—a testament to the sustained appetite for his offspring .
Decoding the “Replica” Label
When a leading owner like Winchell steps up for a yearling, describing him as a “replica” of his sire, that’s more than hyperbole—it’s pedigree confidence affirmed by physique and presence. Flay’s breeding success, the dam’s proven performance record, and the powerful presentation by Stone Farm created a trifecta of high‑octane elements that aligned right under one sales canopy.
What It Means for Buyers and the Market
- Pedigree still reigns supreme: Gun Runner continues to dominate as a sire, especially when paired with a runner-rich dam line.
- Presentation is everything: Smart consigning by Stone Farm, plus pre-sale repository interest and low RNA rate, points to seamless preparation.
- Big players don’t blink: Winchell’s $2.7 million invest speaks volumes—and stands as both support and confidence booster for the broader sire pool.
In sum, Hip 37—a Gun Runner colt ex America, bred by Bobby Flay—ignited the 2025 Fasig‑Tipton Saratoga Yearling Sale with a dazzling $2.7 million bid from Winchell Thoroughbreds. Framed as “a replica of Gun Runner,” the purchase reaffirmed the stallion’s market strength, the value of elite bloodlines, and the uncompromising mindset of buyers in today’s elite yearling marketplace.
Let me know if you’d like deeper sales figures, buyer breakdowns, or pedigree charts for America and her offspring!
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