Midshipman Colt Tops WTBOA Summer Sale

Led by a Midshipman  colt sold for $120,000, the Washington Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association's Summer Yearling and Mixed Sale posted across-the-board gains when compared with the 2018 edition.

The auction was held Aug. 20 at the WTBOA Sales Pavilion at Emerald Downs in Auburn, Wash.

WTBOA reported preliminary results showed 72 yearlings were sold for an aggregate $1,239,200, with a $17,211 average and $9,250 median. Compared with the 2018 sale, the gross rose 26.7%, the average climbed 25%, and the median was 15.6% higher.

After eight yearlings were withdrawn, the 20 that went unsold represented an RNA rate of 20.8%. Within the mixed portion of the sale, 14 head changed hands for $13,350, an average price of $1,027 and a $500 median price.

While the sale drew bidders from California, Idaho, Oregon, Arizona, and Kentucky, the top two horses were purchased by Todd and Shawn Hansen, residents of Tenino, Wash.

The sale topper is the first foal produced from Impeached, a daughter of Northern Afleet who tallied seven wins from 3 to 5, with a second in the Ellis Park Turf Stakes, and earned $174,497. The colt, consigned as Hip 80 by Griffin Place, was bred in California by Mr. and Mrs. William T. Griffin. The colt's second dam, the multiple stakes-winning Demons Begone mare Best Judgement, was voted champion 2-year-old filly in Washington.

The Griffins co-bred with Ron Crockett and consigned the second-highest-priced yearling of the sale, a Grazen colt also bought by the Hansens for $87,000 that is from the same female family as the sale topper. The California-bred colt was produced from the Tribunal mare Courtroom Charmer, a half sister to Best Judgement. Courtroom Charmer has also produced stakes-placed Cariboo Road and Buckley Bay.