Alberta Standardbred Horse Association racing manager, Fred Gillis, described last Sunday's annual yearling sale at Northlands Park in Edmonton as "decent" according to Horse Racing Alberta.
The unofficial numbers show 71 yearlings sold, 35 yearlings bought back by their consignors, and an average sale price of $7,527 which is the highest number in three years.
The average was $6,698 for the 2007 sale. Total sales were $534,400, down from $602,800 in '07.
"We told the horsemen at the paddock meeting last Thursday that there were no racing dates yet for 2009, but that the issue was being actively addressed," Gillis told HRA yesterday morning, "so I think a lot of people went into the sale with very low expectations. Several farms, though, did pretty well."
(With files form HRA)