In-person Thoroughbred sales are like a small town in that it's normal to run into the same individuals around the show ring. On a digital platform though the scope of interactions can multiply quickly, sometimes tenfold.According to Tommy Eastham of Legacy Bloodstock, who regularly uses Fasig-Tipton's digital auctions and consigned the topper–Little Miss Vivi (Uncle Mo)–at the conclusion of Tuesday's August sale, establishing new relationships has become a welcome byproduct of the online process.“I think Fasig-Tipton makes it a kinder and more flexible cash flow plan for farms and investors,” said Eastham. “If you have something that's got value or has a new update, you can liquidate horses in 30 days and get cash for them. That can help you recapitalize into things that better fit your program.”Eastham said he has sold some 300 horses digitally and estimates that he doesn't know the names of probably 70% of those buyers.“It's the first time that I've ever made contact with this person,” he said. “I might be selling a mare for a Kentucky client that is going to a regional home, but I've never met them as long as I've been doing this. The platform is the place to meet regional breeders. So, I think it's opened us up to a whole different population of buyers.”The accurate flow of information has helped put trust into the model, but the logistics have also eased, said Eastham.“Mares are the beast of burden in our game and anything we can do to make life better for them is a good thing,” he said. “Horses need routines and the digital sales help them stay put.”Little Miss Vivi (hip 42) is a case in point. The 8-year-old mare is in foal to Gunite and is based at Tommy Town Thoroughbreds in Versailles. She hit $280,000 and went to buyer Sobhy Sonbol.“She's a beautiful mare and she was a unique opportunity,” said Eastham. “With her connection to Lovcen, who has won the first two legs of the Japanese Triple Crown, there were so many different international buyers that we were able to connect with recently. I haven't seen Sobhy [Sonbol] in about four or five years, but he's based in Egypt. It just goes to show the number of interests and people watching.”What a Feeling (hip 41) | Fasig-TiptonLegacy Bloodstock also sent five other horses through the August digital sale. Among them was 8-year-old broodmare What a Feeling (Yaupon). Taken home by Clancy Farms for $95,000, the dark bay (hip 41) is a half-sister to MGSW Imagination (Into Mischief), who is headed to stud at Mountain View Farm in New York for 2027.“When Imagination hits New York, it's going to create excitement for sure,” said Eastham. “And that's an example of how regional breeders can impact the market through these sales.”The Legacy Bloodstock owner said he is an eternal optimist when it comes to the industry, but he added that the next couple of years will be extremely telling.“I'd say that you are starting to see supply and demand shift back towards the breeder,” Eastham said. “There are more people getting into breeding and I'd say that it's going to have the potential for a successful year. We are starting to see more mares go back into production and that's good news for sure.”What is also apparent is that another Fasig-Tipton digital sale continues to grow Thoroughbred sales in the 'small town'–both regionally and beyond.The post Eastham: Fasig-Tipton Digital Platform ‘The Place To Meet Regional Breeders’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.