The Ohio Selected Jug Sale had another robust session of active bidding, which led to the second highest gross in the sale’s history. 

The loftiest price for a yearling sold was by Rose Run Farm’s Hip 208, Rose Run Butler, for $189,189 ($140,000 USD).  A sharp colt by top sire Downbytheseaside, he was purchased by Dana Parham’s Odds On Racing. 

Elated over their first ever sale-topping yearling, Rose Run Farm owner Arch Yoder was quick to credit his right-hand man, Marlin Miller, with the striking appearance and excellent condition that his yearlings are known for.

“I have trainers from all over Ohio tell me to ‘make sure I keep Marlin around.’  He does a great job prepping our yearlings,” noted Yoder. “We have a nice sized crew for the sale, but back home it’s just me and Marlin doing all the work.”

Ohio Harness Horse Breeders president Senena Esty was pleased with the sale overall, and how her consignment was accepted by the buyers.

“We had a great sale, which was well attended and the crowd stayed strong through to the end," stated Esty. "All the consignors that I have spoken to were happy with the results.

“With all eyes on the Delaware County Fair and the Little Brown Jug this week, the strength of our Buckeye State program will be on full display as 90 per cent of the races are filled with Ohio-breds. It really is our time to shine, nationwide.”

Overall the gross sales totalled $10,825,000 ($8,010,500 USD) for 269 yearlings sold, resulting in an average of $40,242 ($29,779 USD) per horse. This was a slight three per cent decrease from last year’s record-setting auction, but was up 10 per cent on gross and six per cent on average over the 2022 auction. The median was $31,081 ($23,000 USD).

The sale is conducted by the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale Company, and general manager Bruce Brinkerhoff was very satisfied with the strength of the sale, noting, “It’s the second highest gross in the 30-plus year history of the sale, and the second time we grossed over $8 million [USD]. The Ohio breeders and consignors have continued to improve their products and it has shown in the auction ring and out on the racetrack.”

Looking at the numbers more closely, for the fourth consecutive year the highest average price for all pacing sires was garnered by Downbytheseaside at $69,676 ($51,560 USD) for 25 sold. 

The highest priced pacing filly came from Midland Acres, who also stands first-crop sire Summa Cum Laude. His daughter, Hip 53 Ima Sight To See, brought $175,675 ($130,000 USD) from purchaser Jeff Berger. Summa Cum Laude led all sires in gross sales with $1.99 million ($1.47 million USD) for 52 sold resulting in an average of $38,280 ($28,327 USD).  Pacing fillies led the divisional averages with $42,072 ($31,133 USD) for 60 sold.

First-crop sire In Range led the trotting ranks (for stallions with more than five sold) with an average of $53,730 ($39,760 USD) for 25 sold. 

The highest priced trotter in the auction was Hip 180, Buckeye Triumphs, a Triumphant Caviar colt consigned by Double Spring Farm who was purchased by Chris Beaver for $162,162 ($120,000 USD). 

An In Range filly topped the trotting distaff section with Hip 66 Jelta bringing $148,648 ($110,000 USD). The half-sister to world champion Jet Hill was consigned by Trackside Farm and Martz Creek. 

Midland Acres topped the consignor gross sales category with $1,744,595 ($1,291,000 USD) in total for 51 sold. They were followed by Hickory Lane Farm with $1,414,865 ($1,047,000 USD) with 26 sold and Spring Haven Farm with $1,362,162 ($1,008,000 USD) with 36 sold.

Rose Run Farm led the consignor average category at $64,070 ($47,412 USD) for 17 sold. Weaver Standardbred Farm was second in consignor average (with more than five sold) with $57,143 ($42,286 USD) for 14 sold, followed by Hickory Lane Farm at $54,418 ($40,269 USD) for 26 sold.

Click here for complete sale results.

IMPORTANT LINKS

• Sale Catalogue (PDF)
• Sale Roster
• Sale Results
• Live Video Streaming & Bidding (via CCI.live Auctions)

(With files from Ohio Harness Horse Breeders Association; Photo of Marlin Miller [left] holding sale topper Rose Run Butler with Rose Run Farm's Arch Yoder [right])