Business was brisk at the 22nd annual Illini Classic Yearling Sale on Monday (Sept. 7) at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, producing healthy results amidst a competitive market for quality harness racing individuals.
A total of 165 horses sold for a gross of $1,695,700, compared to 115 sold at last year's session for $1,196,100. The average was $10,283 and the median was $7,500. In 2019, the average was $10,400 and the median was $7,000. RNAs rose slightly from 5.7 to 8.8 per cent.
"We were pleased with the solid trade experienced throughout the day," said Ed Teefey, who manages the sale in partnership with Carl Becker. "The average was remarkably similar to 2019, despite the fact an additional 50 horses were sold. Perhaps the best statistic was the not-sold rate, which despite a slight uptick remained below 10 per cent. Trade was good, and we had a good cross-section of buyers."
Fox Valley Standardbreds (Dr. Kenneth and Patricia Walker) was the leading consignor on the afternoon, selling 20 yearlings for $397,700. The Fox Valley contingent included sale-topper Fox Valley Crete, a son of Sportsmaster and a full brother to 2019 Illinois State Fair champion and 2020 Cardinal Stakes (division) winner Fox Valley Ren. The colt sold for $52,000 to Megan Rogers Racing Stables Inc. of Chicago, which also campaigns the older sibling.
A total of four yearlings from Sportsmaster's penultimate crop averaged $38,500, while World Of Rocknroll led all pacing stallions in gross ($200,500) and average ($20,050) for stallions with a minimum of five horses sold. Lous Legacy boasted the No. 1 average among trotting stallions at $15,455, while Cassis topped the list for gross sales at $238,900.
Leading buyer on the day was locally-based trainer Mike Brink, who bought seven yearlings for a total of $134,500.
For the complete sales results, click here.
(Illini Classic Sales)