The second annual Midwest Standardbred Horse Sale kicked off on Thursday, Oct. 15 with fillies Bluebird Grace and Tells Rollin Again topping the opening session at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Both selling for $157,143 ($110,000 USD), Bluebird Grace, Hip 192, was purchased by Pat De Long of South Beloit, Illinois while Tells Rollin Again, Hip 198, went to Burke Racing Stable of Fredericktown, Pennsylvania.

Consigned by Bluebird Meadows, the trotting-bred filly Bluebird Grace is a daughter of Swan For All out of the unraced Chapter Seven mare Gracefilly Hanover, who is a half-sister to the Hambletonian champion Perfect Spirit as well as New York stakes winner Goosebump Hanover, the dam of multiple Grand Circuit stakes winner Mr Bluebird. Bluebird Grace is a half-sibling to recent Keystone Classic Stakes winner Exactly ($143,907 - 1:52s). 

From the Victory Hill Farm consignment, the pacing-bred filly Tells Rollin Again is sired by Tellitilikeitis out of the 100 per cent producing Rockin Image mare Have Rock Willroll. Tells Rollin Again's siblings include full sisters Tells On A Roll ($948,600 - 1:48.2s), an Indiana Sires Stakes champion and Breeders Crown third-place finisher, and Indiana Sires Stakes Consolation winner Tells Rock N Roll ($212,029 - 1:52.3s).

De Long purchased another filly by Swan For All for $142,857 ($100,000 USD) to round out the top three highest priced yearlings of the 210 that sold during the opening session. That filly was Beauty With Grace, Hip 66. Consigned by Victory Hill Farm, she is the first foal out of the Muscle Hill mare Beautiful Grace, who has five full siblings with more than $100,000 in earnings, including Grand Circuit stakes winner Evelyn and Dream Child, the dam of millionaire Ari Ferrari J.

Sales for the opening day session totalled $5,578,571 ($3,905,000 USD) and the average price was $26,565 ($18,595 USD).

The Midwest Standardbred Horse Sale will continue at 10 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 16 with Hips 222-439.

IMPORTANT LINKS

• Yearling Sale Roster
• Sale Catalogue (PDF)
• Catalogue Corrections & Updates
• Live Video (also available below)
• Online Bidding (via Proxibid)
• Sale Results

(Standardbred Canada; photo of Bluebird Grace)