Buyers came out in force during Hoosier Classic Yearling Sale Company’s first session Friday, October 23 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
A total of 179 yearlings were sold, grossing $2.45 million and good for an average of $13,600. That number far exceeded the first session in 2014, when the first session posted a $9,900 average and the two-day average held at $9,800.
Swan Victoria, a full sister to multiple Indiana Sires Stakes final winner Airman Batten ($333,728), topped the first session for consignor Double R Farm. The filly brought the second-highest bid for an Indiana-sired yearling at public auction, purchased by Bo DeLong for $115,000.
“Based on the national trends, we were pretty optimistic with today’s session,” said sale manager Steve Cross. “We were certainly not disappointed. The buyers were impressed with the quality of the stock and how well the colts were presented, and they answered with aggressive bidding. I think people are excited about the Indiana program and the direction it’s heading. We’re optimistic the trend will continue with tomorrow’s session.”
Swan Victoria wasn’t the only yearling to bring top dollar Friday. A total of eight yearlings were hammered down for $40,000 or more. The top pacer of the session was the roan Rockin Image colt Shame On The Moon. Cataloged as Hip 128, the yearling is the first foal from $200,000 winner Silveresque, a mare that is a sister to a trio of $300,000-plus winners. Consigned as agent by Oldfield Farm, Ron Burke paid $59,000 for the colt.
Yearlings from the third crop of Rockin Image were in high demand, as five sold for $40,000 or more. Following Shame On The Moon was filly Woodside Abigail with a $53,000 final bid. Consigned by Woodsie Farm, the filly is the first foal from a sister to millionaire and International Stallion Stakes winner Strike An Attitude. She was purchased by Mark Evers. A total of 26 babies were sold in the first session, averaging just over $22,000.
The most active buyer in the first session was Wisconsin resident DeLong. Signing 11 tickets, including the session topper, DeLong’s purchases totalled $283,000. He spent on yearlings that included Always A Virgin fillies Always Mindy, second foal from Indiana Sires Stakes champion Marks Mindy, going to $37,000, and Shes Even Hotter, a $25,000 purchase out of Richess Hanover mare Shes So Hot, part of a tremendous Illinois family.
Hoosier Classic’s second session will begin Saturday, October 24 at 10 a.m. The sessions can be viewed via live streaming on the sale company website, hoosierclassicyearlingsale.com.
(Hoosier Classic Sale Company, LLC)