News - Fasig Tipton gets new look

Home of the Fasig-Tipton horse sales, the pavilion will undergo renovations and expansions to improve the look and overall quality of the site.

“Our goal is to improve the facility to make it the best yearling sale in the world,” Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning said. “We plan to develop the facility to reflect the quality of our horses.”

The pavilion was built in the late 1960s and since then there have been no significant changes to the property. The current plans call for an expansion of the interior including a modern and upscale horse viewing area, enhanced barns, wood fencing and an exterior “facelift,” Browning said. The pavilion will also be handicap-accessible. He would not disclose a cost, but the project is expected to cost in the millions. The project will be carried out in a variety of phases and plans have been submitted to the City of Saratoga Springs for approval. Work cannot begin until these plans have been reviewed and approved.

“Our goal is to be ready for the 2009 racing season. We are trying to move as quickly as possible to make this happen,” Browning said.

Earlier this year, Fasig-Tipton was purchased by Synergy Investments Ltd., a Dubai-based company owned by Abbdulla Al Habbai, a close associate of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai and a Thoroughbred breeder and trainer. The purchase also included sales pavilions in Kentucky, Maryland, Florida and Texas.

Previously, Fasig-Tipton was owned by John Hettinger who purchased the horse auction company in 1991. The company was founded in 1898 by William Fasig and Edward Tipton and is the oldest horse auction sales company in North America. Fasig Tipton has been conducting yearling sales in Saratoga Springs since the early 1900s and has sold horses such as Man o’ War, Black Tie Affair and Sky Beauty.

“We are looking forward to the renovations and are working closely with Synergy Investments to ensure a smooth process,” Browning said.