Trot Insider has spoken with Standardbred Canada Sales manager Heather Reid regarding yesterday's very successful edition of the Canadian Open Yearling Sale, held at SC's newly remodeled Sales Pavilion at Flamboro Downs.

A total of 175 yearlings were sold for $1.88 million, resulting in a sale average of $10,786. The average was up significantly from the $8,279 average in 2007, bucking the current industry trend.

"The yearling sale average was up by 30%, which in these tentative times with the situations in Quebec and Alberta, and the recession in the United States, was very much appreciated by all," said Reid.

The sale attracted two groups from the SBOA New Owners Mentoring programs, each of which made purchases.

Grin For Money, a Grinfromeartoear colt out of Our Inheritance which was catalogued as Hip #130, was purchased for $20,000 by mentor Tom Brodhurst. John Kopas will train the colt. M G Home Run, an Astreos colt out of Rustlers Hustle which was catalogued as Hip #153, was purchased for $30,000. Casie Coleman, who will train the colt, acted as agent in the purchase. Rick Kostoff will act as the mentor.

"Well-bred yearlings will sell, and it [the sale] showed that the trotting market is very strong," Reid explained. "It was nice that the half-sister to Casual Breeze sold for $102,000."

The filly Reid was making reference to is Baileys Breeze, the Angus Hall sister to the multiple O'Brien Award winning Casual Breeze. The filly was purchased from the Cool Creek Standardbreds consignment by Carl Jamieson of Princeton, ON for $102,000.

Yearlings from powerhouse trotting stallion Angus Hall fetched the three of the five highest prices at the Canadian Open Yearling Sale. Besides Baileys Breeze, Centurione, an Angus Hall brother to the $326,000 winning trotting filly Torch, was purchased for $75,000. Cross Of Lorraine, an Angus Hall full sister to the $246,000 earner Australian Stock, was purchased for $50,000.

"The crowd was unbelievable -- there were people everywhere," said Reid. "We are very thankful that the expected rain held off until after the sale."

Reid also spoke about SC's newly remodeled Sales Pavilion -- an area that impressed the crowd on hand.

"Our new location at Flamboro Downs is wonderful. All comments received were positive. It is a great location and the facility is great. Some consignors mentioned that even the horses seemed to be more relaxed. It's a great place to show horses on a good day out in the open. It allows a lot of air flow in both the horse barns and in the auction area."

Reid also told Trot Insider that she thought the consignors liked the flat entry fee, no commission.

To view the fill list of results from the Canadian Open Yearling Sale, click here.