Barretts Select Yearling Sale Stays Even

Three horses sold for six figures at the second edition of the Barretts select yearling sale, held Aug. 30 at Del Mar. A California-bred daughter of Smiling Tiger brought the highest price of $130,000, while a Cal-bred son of Tribal Rule was the top-priced colt at $115,000.

Barretts conducted its inaugural select yearling sale last year after the Del Mar races, and for 2016 the company switched to a dark day. That, plus what sale officials termed "a catalog with more sire power," led to increases at the top end, with overall figures virtually even with 2015.

In both years 44 yearlings sold, grossing $1,635,000 and averaging $37,159 this year. In 2015 the gross was $1,629,000 with a $37,023 average. The median dropped to $27,500 in 2016, from $32,500 in 2015. Of the 67 through the ring this year, 23 did not sell, for a buy-back rate of 34%

"Knowing that the market is so haywire at the moment, we felt if we stayed even, it would be a win for us," said Kim Lloyd, general manager of Barretts. "Considering the circumstances, we felt like we came out very good today."

In 2015 the sale toppers were a pair that sold for $90,000 each. Five horses this year went through for six-figure bids, two of those not selling. Hip 42, a son of Lucky Pulpit  , was a buy-back at $145,000, and Hip 24, a son of Union Rags  , did not sell at $120,000.

"The median was down because the lower-end horses sold a little lower this year," said Lloyd. "The higher-end horses brought all the money. We were pleased with the high end because it gives people the confidence to bring in a marketable, commercial type of horse."

Sue Greene's Woodbridge Farm consigned the $130,000 sale topper, Hip 68. The filly is from the first crop of millionaire Smiling Tiger and is out of the Pentelicus mare Chanceofalifetime. Jeff Bonde, who trained Smiling Tiger, bought the sale topper. She is a half sister to stakes winner Kelly's Princess and three stakes-placed runners.

Trainer Dan Hendricks successfully bid $115,000 on behalf of Super Horse for Hip 16. Consigned by Mary Knight, the colt is by deceased Tribal Rule, who regularly ranks high on California sire lists. The youngster is out of the Thunder Gulch mare Maralago, a daughter of multiple graded winner Tricky Squaw and a half sister to stakes winner Tricky Six.

The third horse to sell for six figures was Hip 59, from the consignment of G.W. Thomas' Willow Tree Farm. Gary Hartunian's Rockingham Ranch went to $110,000 for the Cal-bred colt, a son of Dialed In   out of the Siphon mare Boro. The colt is from the family of $946,190-earner Gene's Lady.