The Forest City Yearling Sale's Selected Yearling Sale took place this past Sunday. This morning, Trot Insider spoke with sale manager Brian Webster for his feelings on how things went.
"The sale was solid," said Webster. "What we saw in terms of numbers was indicative of the market, not withstanding the current economic climate. There was a large crowd, which was a good statement about the market."
The sale saw a total of 246 yearlings go through the ring for an average price of $21,380. Webster told Trot Insider that the average was down four to five per cent from the '07 average -- a slight decline that is right in line with the general trend for this year's sales.
"We had a large crowd and the bidding was brisk and strong -- there were a lot of bright spots. As usual, buyers really zeroed in on the ones [yearlings] they liked, and there was a lot of action on them," Webster explained. "If the major yearling buyers weren't going after certain yearlings, it was definitely a buyer's market.
Reach Higher, a son of Striking Sahbra out of Raising The Bar, topped the sale when he fetched a final bid of $140,000. Reach Higher is a half-brother to multiple stakes-winning filly Raising Rachel (1:58.1 - $175,458). Western Terror daughter Preppy Party Girl was the highest-priced pacer, having gone for $127,000.
Webster noted that just because some yearlings don't go for top dollars, it doesn't mean that there aren't ample opportunities to parlay a shrewd yearling buy into lucrative investment.
"In last year's sale, St Lads Popcorn sold for $5,000," Webster explained about the now-freshman Twin B Champ filly. "She has ended up being the highest earner (ten starts, $322,323 in earnings) from that sale. Hibbler is another prime example. He went for $12,000 last year (from six starts he has earned $181,618)."
"There will be a lot of opportunity," said Webster, referring to the Preferred Yearling Sale, which will be showcasing 153 yearlings through the ring at Western Fair Agriplex beginning at 11:00 a.m.
To view the results from last Sunday's sale, click here.
To view the preview for Sunday's Preferred Sale, click here.
I think the Preferred Sale
I think the Preferred Sale in London is on Sunday, Oct. 26th &
not on Saturday as is mentioned in Brian Webster's comments.
In reply to I think the Preferred Sale by Anonymous (not verified)
Thanks for that catch. We've
Thanks for that catch. We've adjusted the story.