Hundreds of harness horse owners and trainers descended upon the Pickaway Agriculture and Event Center in Circleville, Ohio on Thursday to inspect over 270 yearlings being offered in tomorrow’s (Sept. 18) Ohio Selected Jug Sale.
Highlighted by five popular first crop sires, several with 'big-league credentials, inspections were heavy throughout the day and all with social distancing and protocols being followed.
Making up nearly half the sale, first crop sires Downbytheseaside, Fear The Dragon, Long Tom, Lost For Words and What The Hill were clearly high on everybody’s inspection list.
The connections of 2017 Dan Patch three-year-old pacing colt champion Downbytheseaside, Diamond Creek Farm’s Adam Bowden and Sugar Valley Farms’s Joe McLead, were quick to praise their stallion’s progeny.
“One thing that people liked about Somebeachsomewhere, other than his racetrack prowess, is that all his foals look the same. You knew exactly what you were getting. Now you are seeing that with Downbytheseaside …every horse that comes out, they are built in the same mold!”
“It would be shocking to me if they are not extremely successful here…inside and outside of the state of Ohio.”
Brian Brown, trainer of both Fear The Dragon and Downbytheseaside had a very busy day, as the Delaware, Ohio-based conditioner looked at all 60 of the yearlings by his two star pupils.
“Like any other sires, there are some individuals that I like better than others, but as a group they are some very nice yearlings.”
Jake Mossbarger of Midland Acres agreed. “We have had great traffic throughout the day and are very happy with the compliments we have received on the Fear The Dragon yearlings. They have great conformation and we are excited to sell them, along with our well-received group of Long Tom foals.”
“In addition, we are thrilled to have been asked to represent Hanover Shoe Farms at this sale. We are extremely pleased that we are entrusted with their yearlings, which are also an outstanding group.”
On the trotting side, 2017 Dan Patch three-year-old trotting colt champion What The Hill’s 47 yearlings got the early attention of top trainers Ron Burke and Chris Beaver, who were looking at the son of Muscle Hill’s colts and fillies first thing this morning.
“Everybody that races regularly in Ohio have been here to look at the What The Hill’s,” noted Hickory Lane Horse Farm owner Kevin Greenfield.
“There has been a lot of interest in him. I see no issues from an economic standpoint as everyone in the Buckeye State has been racing for all the money they are supposed to. The money is all there, people can bid with confidence.”
Ohio Harness Horse Breeders president and Cool Winds Farm owner Randy Haines was also optimistic. “Everybody is racing for a lot of money. As I have said before, I believe the Ohio program is the best in the country. The other yearling sales have been strong, so I am confident we will have a good sale as well.”
Tomorrow’s auction begins at 10 a.m. with 278 catalogued, and all social distancing and COVID courtesies, including mask-wearing being practiced inside the barns and sale area.
(Ohio Harness Horse Breeders)