The Black Book began its yearling sale on Monday (Nov. 3) away from its traditional location in Harrisburg, PA with Delilah Hanover leading the 154 yearlings sold at the Timonium Fairgrounds in Maryland.

Delilah Hanover, a filly by Muscle Hill out of Cantab Hall mare Danielle Hanover, attracted $440,000 when selling as Hip 86. David McDuffee purchased the Hanover Shoe Farms-consigned filly who is a half-sister to Jim Doherty Memorial winner Darlene Hanover and out of a dam who is a half-sister to Donato Hanover.

“I thought she was just an absolute outstanding individual,” McDuffee said. “That’s my pick of the litter, so we had to stretch a little longer than we wanted to, but she’s pretty good.”

Delilah Hanover, pictured in the ring at the 2020 Standardbred Horse Sales Company Annual Sale.

Early in the session Peyton Hanover brought $400,000 when selling to Jeff Snyder. The filly by Muscle Hill is out of the Cantab Hall mare Pennies From Above, who is a full sister to Dan Patch winner Wheeling N Dealin.

“We thought she would go for less, but it ended up that we had to pay as much as we did,” Snyder said. “We decided that filly was the one we wanted. We thought because she sold early in the sale (Hip No. 9) she might not go quite that high, but we did the business we had to do, and we’re happy. She’s got residual value and we’re very happy with the purchase.”

Tippet, a Muscle Hill filly out of the Windsongs Legacy mare Ilia, later also brought $400,000 to the gavel slam. Nancy Takter, as agent, purchased the Concord Stud Farm-consigned filly who is a full sister to Long Tom and half sister to Tight Lines ($607,176) and Breeders Crown runner-up In Range.

“She’s a really nice filly, looks really athletic,” Takter said. “I like her size. She’s not too big, she’s like racy kind of size. She moves well and stands well, so hopefully she races well.”

A pair drew $325,000 through the ring with Energetic Hanover (Captaintreacherous-Eloquent Grace) and Frozen Hanover (Somebeachsomewhere-Fashion Ecstasy) tying for fourth-highest sale of the day. David McDuffee purchased Energetic Hanover, out of a dam who is a half sister to Ginger And Fred and Fred And Ginger, while Serge Godin’s Determination bought Frozen Hanover, a full brother to millionaire Filibuster Hanover.

Sales figures dropped year over year from the first session. A total of 154 horses sold for a gross $12,813,000 (an average of $83,201), down from $19,172,000 from 168 horses sold in 2019 (an average of $114,119) and down from $15,902,000 from 170 horses sold in 2018 (an average of $93,541).

“I think the sale was very strong,” Standardbred Horse Sale President and CEO Pete Spears said. “I think the middle, especially, was encouraging. We didn’t have as much extreme ups and downs. I think the middle was stronger than it’s been for quite a while.

“Obviously, there were some big sellers. Determination was especially active and we’re grateful for their participation. Mr. McDuffee as well. I think it’s been great. I should mention Nancy Takter for buying my own filly (Tippet). That was fun.

“I think these are pretty good numbers.”

Full sale results and averages are available at the following links:

► 2020 Black Book Sale Results

► First Day Averages - 2020 Black Book Sale

(with files from the USTA)