"It was solid for the solid horse," said Fasig-Tipton Midlantic's executive vice president, Mason Grasty. "We didn't have a large crowd, but there were people who were trying to buy horses that couldn't and didn't. For the bottom horse it was as it should be," he added, noting that there was a sprinkling of "no bids" among the 56 horses (27.3% of the 205 offered) that failed to find new homes.

Last year, 31.2% of the horses offered were bought back. The other first session figures in 2003 were 165 horses sold for a gross of $1,092,300, an average of $6,620, and a median of $3,500.

All the horses sold Sunday were broodmares, broodmare prospects, or racing and/or broodmare prospects except for the Mr. Prospector stallion Larrupin', who was purchased by Ed Price for $13,000 from Green Willow Farms, agent for the Larrupin' Syndicate.

Two mares, Cervante and Jezebella, shared top-priced honors, selling for $65,000 apiece. Timothy Ritchey purchased 6-year-old Cervante, who is in foal to Two Punch, from Mr. and Mrs. Rick Abbott's Charlton bloodstock agency, agent. Pandora Farms bought 5-year-old Jezebella, who is in foal to Hennessy, from Thomas J. Gallo Sales Agency, agent.

Cervante (King's Theatre – Dame Ivor, by Sir Ivor) is an Australian-bred half-sister to stakes winners Saratoga Dame and Saratoga Dandy, both by Saratoga Six. Saratoga Dame is the dam of grade II winner Dollar Bill. Cervante's best effort on the track was a third in her three career races.

Jezebella (by Wild Again) won once in nine races and is out of the stakes-winning Crafty Prospector mare For all Seasons.

The sale's second and final session, which features weanlings, is scheduled for Monday, beginning at 10 a.m. (EDT).