With Standardbred Canada's 2013 Canadian Yearling Sale boasting an average increase of nearly 22 per cent, breeders and consignors had nothing but positive comments after Sunday's sale.

"I'm ecstatic with the sale results," said SC Sales Manager Heather Reid, who noted that the majority of the consignors were in full agreement with her after the 199 yearlings that sold on Sunday brought more than $2.02 million. That produced an average of $10,159 - up substantially from the $8,300 average from 2012.

Reg and Donna Higgs were handsomely rewarded for their efforts and attention to detail with Up The Alley, a full-brother to multiple Ontario Sires Stakes winner Muscle Matters. He sold for $70,000 to Stratford, Ont.'s Vic Hayter and was the sale's topper.

"We knew we had pretty good product going in but we were uncertain as to what the mood of the market was going to be," Reg Higgs told Trot Insider on Monday. "The net result was that we were very pleasantly surprised by the fact that it's apparent that people are refusing to give up. The most positive aspect of the whole day - although we're glad to get the money - is that we're very pleased to see that there's a lot of people who want our industry to survive."

The recent successes of Muscle Mass -- both in the Ontario Sires Stakes program as well as on the Grand Circuit -- were not lost on prospective purchasers. For trotting stallions with more than two yearlings entered, yearlings by Muscle Mass averaged $23,269.

Higgs had an idea that the potential for a solid sale was evident on Saturday's show day, which in his opinion produced the best show day turnout in three or four years.

"Up The Alley was inspected at least 30 times, as was our other filly," Higgs said. "There was lots of enthusiasm on Saturday."

The buzz around the sale on Saturday was also noted by Winbak Farms' Larry Drysdale.

"I wasn't very optimistic going into the sale," said Drysale, "but I couldn't get over how busy it was on Saturday. That sure lifted the consignors' spirits going into Sunday."

Drysdale echoed the sentiments of Higgs with his opinion that consignors were pleasantly surprised by the results, and thought perhaps the buyers took note and received confidence from Premier Kathleen Wynne's announcement of the need for five-year plan.

"There's still nothing in stone but she's at least looking at a five-year deal and I don't think that hurt."

The only stallion with more than two yearlings entered that topped Muscle Mass was Winbak's pacing stud Shadow Play, whose six yearlings averaged $25,833 and three of which were sold by Winbak.

Sale results are available at the following links:
2013 Canadian Yearling Sale Results
2013 Canadian Yearling Sale Sire Averages
2013 Canadian Yearling Sale Sire Averages by Yearling