Only three of the eight major yearling sales this year have produced gross prices exceeding their 2006 figures, as the overall market is down 1.25% to total $490.9 million through the completion of the Kentucky September Yearling Sale.
A review of statistics compiled by BloodHorseNOW.com indicates that of those eight sales, the average and median prices have increased at only two auctions.
Two Fasig-Tipton sales – the Kentucky summer select sale and the Saratoga preferred sale – posted increases in overall sales but both declined by average. The Kentucky sale, July 16-17 in Lexington, saw the gross rise from nearly $35.6 million to $36.4 million, but the average of $102,941 and $80,000 median were down from the 2006 figures of $115,954 and $90,000, respectively. The Saratoga preferred sale rose in gross from $5,294,500 to $5,831,500 but experienced a decline in average from $52,421 to $51,606. The median price, however, went up from $35,000 in 2006 to $38,000 this year.
Another Fasig-Tipton sale, the Texas summer yearling sale, was one of two auctions so far in 2007 in which the average and median prices increased. The 241 yearlings sold for a gross of $3,283,200 ($3,228,900 in 2006) and averaged $13,623 ($11,871 in 2006) with a median price of $6,200 ($5,500 last year).
The other 2007 sale boasting average and median increases was the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s open yearling sale. Although the total for the 425 horses sold fell to $9,047,400 from $9,127,500, the average was up to $11,629 (from $11,145) and the median price rose from $6,500 to $7,000.
Overall, 7,631 yearlings have been offered this year, with 5,667 sold. There have been 3,049 yearling colts sold at public auction in 2007, and 2,618 fillies have found new homes.
