Hunterton bringing largest ever consignment to Lexington
by James Platz
Steve and Cindy Stewart’s Hunterton Sales Agency has established itself as one of the leading consignors at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale based on quality, gross sales, and sale average. This week, the Paris, KY-based nursery offers the largest consignment it has cataloged at the Fasig-Tipton Sales Pavilion, with 126 yearlings on the grounds.
“[It] is the most we’ve ever sold,” Steve said. “If we don’t have something for you, it’s not out there. The bottom line is the partners and the clients are making money and they keep breeding more mares. We’ve got more in Harrisburg than we’ve ever sold before, too. We’ve got close to 60 there.”
Hunterton’s previous high-water mark at Lexington came in 2023 when 111 yearlings passed through the pavilion, ringing up gross sales of $10.6 million (tops among consignors) and averaging $95,982 (ranking sixth). Last season, a group of 94 babies topped $9 million in sales with an average that eclipsed $96,000. Stewart believes this year’s consignment can build on the strong numbers of the last two seasons, particularly with the number of yearlings selling during the first two sessions. Hunterton yearlings will account for more than 20 per cent of the babies sold in the first session.
“We’ve got 29 horses selling the first day, which is by far more than anybody else,” Steve said. “We’ve got 30-some selling the second day. So half of our consignment will be gone after the first two days. And then you factor in that there are quite a few that are selling the last day that, if they weren’t Ohio-breds, would have been first or second day. You know, really good mares that we bred to Downbytheseaside and stuff like that. But, you know, when you lose half your consignment in the first two days and you’re selling 126, that kind of bodes well.”
Bidders will see Hunterton yearlings early in the Monday session, with three of the first four lots representing the consignor. The sale kicks off with Tactical Landing filly Fascination, Hip #1, a New Jersey and Kentucky eligible sister to Breeders Crown elimination winner Sound Judgement 2, 1:52 ($226,312).
“She’s going to sell very well because she’s a very nice filly,” Stewart said.
One of the highlights of Hunterton’s first-night offerings is the Gimpanzee filly Tyndall, Hip #4. Out of Southwind Serena, she is a sibling to Tactical Landing and Hall of Fame mare Mission Brief, dam of Mohawk Million winner Apex 2, 1:51.4-’25 ($821,575). She is Kentucky eligible, including the stallion bonus eligibility.
“She’s a very, very nice filly,” he said. “She would sell very well regardless of where she is.”
On the pacing side, Stewart noted Hip #66 Vainqueur, a Bulldog Hanover colt that sells later in the session. He is the first foal from millionaire and Dan Patch Award winner Fire Start Hanover, and is both Ontario and Kentucky eligible.
“I would say one of the highlights will be, pedigree-wise, individual-wise and video-wise, is #66,” he said. “With Bulldog, he had his first crop racing, and they raced pretty good. You know, there were some nice ones. In my opinion, Bulldog will be the next super stallion. That’s my prediction. If I only look at the ones we’re selling, they’re just outstanding individuals. They just really, really looked the part.”
Further back in the session, Hunterton sells the first foal from Hambletonian Oaks victress and Dan Patch Award winner When Dovescry. The New Jersey and Kentucky eligible Walner filly is named Turtle Dove, and is cataloged as Hip #94.
“She’s just not overly tall, and When Dovescry is not a big mare, but she is extremely well-balanced and took a fantastic video,” Stewart said.
Selling one slot earlier is Social Hour, a full-sister to graded stakes winner Walner Payton 2, 1:52.2; 3, 1:51.4 ($801,071). She is also dual eligible.
“We’re loaded with Walners,” Steve said. “I mean, we’ve got like 13 of them or something. It’s crazy. Most people feel it’s hard to go wrong if you buy a Walner filly, and we’ve got several nice ones. Those two being some of them.”
Hunterton also has a dual eligible Walner colt from Donato Hanover mare Sarcy. Hip #39 Vernacular is a half-brother to Hambletonian champion and Trotter of the Year Tactical Approach, as well as millionaire Double Deceiver.
One pedigree page you will not find in the catalog is Mission Brief’s newest offering. Stewart said the colt was a late foal and is consigned to Harrisburg. Regardless, he believes Hunterton’s Lexington consignment is capable of once again producing big numbers.
“To say we’re loaded is an understatement,” Steve said. “It’s ridiculous how many nice horses we have, which on paper you need that. We have sale topper potential.”
The consignor will offer 33 yearlings during Tuesday’s (Sept. 30) session. The remaining 64 babies are spread throughout the next three days. Friday’s session features 18, including nine by Downbytheseaside and four from the first crop of Indiana stallion Rebuff. Hunterton’s consignment leans more to the trotting side, with 73 trotters cataloged compared to 53 pacers offered.
Stewart noted that Hunterton’s business is built on breeding and selling horses that go on to produce on the racetrack. That reputation for breeding champions did not happen overnight, but over years of repeated success. Hunterton’s list of winners include the sport’s top graded stakes, from the Hambletonian, the pinnacle of racing, to the Mohawk Million, the richest race for freshman trotters, with multiple Breeders Crown champions sprinkled in for good measure.
“People just flock to success, and people will buy from people that have success raising horses,” Steve said. “And so we’ve had a lot of success. But believe me, it wasn’t always like that. The end result for us is not the yearling sale. The end result for us is the winner’s circle.”
