After a strong first session, Hoosier Classic Sale Company’s second session maintained the momentum Saturday, October 24 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
Averaging $13,600 in session one, business was again brisk on day two, with 163 yearlings grossing $2.54 million for an average of $15,500. All told, 342 horses were sold for a gross of $4.975 million and two-day average was $14,560, resulting in a 48 percent increase over 2014 totals.
“After the success of our first session we were optimistic about today, but the second session exceeded my expectations,” said sale manager Steve Cross. “We’re very pleased with the response by both the consignors and buyers. It shows the confidence of the buyers in the Indiana program.”
While a trotter topped the first session, it was a filly from the third crop of Rockin Image that commanded the highest bid on Saturday. Hip 24, Bluebird Eclipse, was hammered down for $82,000 out of the Bluebird Meadows consignment. Purchased as agent by Peter Wrenn, the filly is the second foal from Art Major mare Day Lily Hanover, a winner of $160,000 on the track with a mark of 1:53. Her first foal, freshman Bluebird Synergy, won an Indiana Sires Stakes elimination and finished second in the Fox Stake.
Here Comes Herbie filly Herbs Foxy Lady was next on the list with a $70,000 price tag. Consigned by Black Creek Farm and WRL Stables, the yearling is a sister to $100,000 winner Ladys Big Stormont. Dan Shetler, acting as agent, signed the ticket. Swan For All colt Meadowbrookcharlie also received a lot of attention, selling out of the Meadow Brook Farms consignment for $67,000. A brother to two Indiana Sires Stakes-placed performers, the yearling was purchased by S & R Racing of New Haven, Ind.
A total of nine yearlings brought $40,000 or higher, led by six trotters that were purchased at a premium.
Several owners were very active during the two-day sale, but none more than Clinton, Wisconsin resident Bo DeLong. DeLong, along with his son, Pat, trainer Roger Welch and Ray DeLong, campaigned Bridge To Jesses this season, a freshman trotting colt that won over $300,000 and captured divisional honours in Indiana. The connections reinvested in the Hoosier State with 18 yearling purchases totaling $529,000. He purchased eight on Saturday worth $246,000.
“We really like the program; it is set up well,” Pat DeLong offered. “They are progressive thinking on the commission level.”
Hoosier Classic Sale Company would like to thank the consignors and buyers that helped make this sale the best in the company’s history.
(Hoosier Classic Sale Company, LLC)