Pinhooker and 2-year-old consignor Tom McCrocklin emerged as the leading yearling buyer July 14 during The July Sale at Fasig-Tipton in Lexington, purchasing eight yearlings, led by Hip 166, a daughter of Girvin who brought $450,000 to top the filly market.
The Airdrie Stud Raised & Offered filly is from the second Kentucky crop of grade 1 winner Girvin, whose commercial momentum has accelerated since relocating from Ocala Stud to Airdrie Stud ahead of the 2023 breeding season. Bred to higher-quality mares, his progeny have become in demand this year, highlighted by a juvenile filly that sold for $1.6 million at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale after being pinhooked from a $165,000 purchase at the 2025 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
Although McCrocklin did not consign that $1.6 million juvenile—Top Line Sales handled that offering—her success did not escape his attention.
"Monkey see, monkey do. We'll settle for $1.6 million right now and call it a day," McCrocklin joked.
Girvin's 2-year-olds have reinforced commercial demand with their racetrack performance. Through July 13, Girvin ranked second among North America's stallions by juvenile earnings, topped by the achievements of stakes winner Pierette, who captured last month's Debutante Stakes at Churchill Downs, and maiden winner Glory Run, victorious July 10 in an allowance race at Ellis Park.
Fresh off a rewarding juvenile sales season, McCrocklin entered The July Sale with renewed buying power as returning investors reinvested and new clients joined his program. On Tuesday, he worked to assemble a group he believes will command attention during the in-training market next year, spending $1.46 million on eight yearlings.
McCrocklin said auctions continue to reward exceptional individuals. He believes the greatest challenge lies in accurately assessing a horse's future commercial value as buyers relentlessly pursue elite physical specimens.
He also expressed no hesitation in paying a premium for a filly despite the marketplace traditionally placing greater commercial emphasis on colts.
"I think fillies are way more honest. They'll give it everything they have," he said, noting that males can become distracted.
Hip 166 is the third foal out of the unraced Uncle Mo mare Sentimental Song. Her second dam Ain't She Sweet is a full sister to grade 1 winners Sweet Catomine and Life Is Sweet. McCrocklin anticipated she would bring between $300,000 and $500,000.
"For my money, she was the best horse in the sale," he said.
Bret Jones, president of Airdrie Stud, is optimistic Girvin will continue to attract buyers through the year.
"Some of the Girvins we've got coming for September are pretty spectacular," he said.
Hip 166 was one of three yearlings McCrocklin purchased from Airdrie Stud during The July Sale. He also bought a Mage colt (Hip 55) out of French Politics for $270,000 and a Roadster colt (Hip 75) out of Hope and Dreams for $75,000.
The first crop of horses by Mage, the 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner, are yearlings of 2026. He stood at Airdrie this year for a $15,000 fee.
"He's a horse we have a pretty tremendous belief in, and he is off to as good a start as you could ask of him," Jones said.
McCrocklin's other acquisitions included Hip 219, a $300,000 Vekoma filly from Warrendale Sales; Hip 2, a $160,000 colt by Two Phil's consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency; Hip 192, a $100,000 filly by Maximus Mischief from Paramount Sales; Hip 38, a $70,000 colt by Loggins consigned by Ascend Thoroughbreds; and Hip 79, a $35,000 filly by Take Charge Indy from Burleson Farms.
