The first Midwest Mixed Sale was held on Friday, November 24 at the Michiana Event Center in Shipshewana, Indiana.
Held on the Friday after U.S. Thanksgiving and the day before the Michiana Classic Yearling Sale, the new mixed sale saw a large crowd with buyers from several states and countries represented. A total of 127 entries went through the ring in front of Joseph Mast and Andy White of Mast Auctioneers, good for a total gross of $1,059,200 and averaging $8,340.
Breeding stock was in high demand, with a pair of in-foal mares bringing $50,000 or more. Topping the sale was Hip 24, Real Lady Katie. The royally-bred pacing mare sold in foal to Always A Virgin and brought a final bid of $52,000 from Andy Byler of West Farmington, OH. She was closely followed by Hip 48, Brienne Of Tarth, who sold for $50,000. The young half-sister to Kadabra was in foal to Guccio and was purchased by Merle Yoder’s Topville Acres of Topeka, IN. Rounding out the top three was Hip 26, Stage Review. The young daughter of Art Major was in foal to Rockin Image and went to Merlie Schwartz of Peru, IN for $25,000. All three mares were consigned by Winterwood Farm of Bellville, OH.
Racehorses proved to be a valuable commodity at the new sale as well. The talented Swan For All filly Swan Defined topped the racehorse section with a final bid of $50,000. Jeff Esty of Spring Haven Farm did the bidding as agent for European interests. With Hoosier Park closing for the season, a pair of higher-end conditioned-class prospects were in high demand with three-year-old pacing gelding Pondas Prospect going to Novi Trot of Glen Ellyln, IL for $44,000 and three-year-old trotting gelding Bluebird Jesse going to John McGill of Albion, IN for $42,000.
Co-sale managers Susan Garrels and Jeff Fought were pleased with the outcome.
“We couldn’t have asked for much more in our first year of operation, from top to bottom both racehorses and breeding stock sold well,” Fought said.
Garrels added, “we’d like to thank everyone that stepped up and supported the new venture, and we look forward to working with more buyers and sellers in the future and growing the sale.”
Full sale results can be found on the company’s website, midwestauctionco.com.
(Midwest Mixed Sale)