CTBA Winter Mixed Sale Sees Some Improved Numbers

The California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Winter Mixed Sale Jan. 30 in Pomona finished with solid results as a 2-year-old Sir Prancealot   filly headlined the auction after realizing $37,000 from Harris Farms.

Consigned by Checkmate Thoroughbreds (Adrian Gonzalez), the bay, consigned as Hip 146, was bred in California by her consignor and Hector Cuevas and sold at the end of Tuesday's session. Out of the unraced Unusual Heat mare Katie's Heat, she is half sibling to two winners. She boasts the family of multiple grade 1 winner Brother Derek and graded stakes-placed Don'tsellmeshort under the second dam.

The juvenile had been galloping for 90 days when it was sold Tuesday. The filly initially was offered as a yearling last year at the Fasig-Tipton California Fall Yearlings and Horses of All Ages Sale but failed to sell at $27,000.

Also Tuesday, Havens Bloodstock Agency sold the unraced 3-year-old stallion/racing prospect, Bling Away Baby, to his breeders H & E Ranch for $35,000; the Scottsdale, Ariz., operation initially sold him as a yearling in 2022 for $27,000 to Tari Brocklebank. The bay gelding by Too Much Bling  is out of the Stormy Atlantic mare Sacred Alibi  and was foaled in Kentucky.

Gonzalez also sold a 2-year-old More Than Ready filly for $33,000 to Raymond Salvatore of Orange, Calif. Similarly, the dark bay or brown filly (Hip 25) sold after receiving initial training and after galloping for 90 days. Out of the grade 3-placed Excellent Art  mare Poster Girl , she is the mare's first foal.

Ultimate Blend, by Tiznow, was the highest-priced broodmare sold to Harris Farms for $30,000, offered as Hip 66 by Havens Bloodstock Agency, the 9-year-old mare sold in foal to California sire Grazen . Out of grade 3 winner Blending Element, the mare is a half sibling to 2016 Hollywood Turf Cup Stakes (G2T) winner Texas Ryano  , 2008 Las Flores Handicap (G3) winner Tiz Elemental , and graded-placed Holladay Road , War Element , and American Blend .

H & E Ranch sold a Halladay   colt for $11,000 to be the top yearling Tuesday. Purchased by Harris Farms, the Kentucky-bred (Hip 93) out of Brandyafterdinner is a half sibling to the 2021 Clever Trevor Stakes-placed Kentucky Bourbon .

Pretty tough market today at the CTBA sale but we sold 22 of 22 through the ring and topped the sale. Thank you to my wonderful crew, clients, loyal buyers, and outstanding horses that keep this dream alive for us. On to the next one… pic.twitter.com/eXhKhIDb8Y

— Adrian Gonzalez (@CheckmateRacing) January 31, 2024

Leading buyer Harris Farms made 19 purchases for a gross of $228,400, averaging $12,021. Checkmate Thoroughbreds sold 21 of its 22-horse draft for receipts of $283,700, at an average of $13,510, to be the leading consignor of the single-session sale.

Of the 136 horses offered, 111 were traded for a $951,100 gross, up 15.8% over the previous year. The average price dropped 6.1% to $8,568, and the median climbed 36.8% to $6,500. The 25 horses who failed to sell represent an RNA rate of 18.4%.