A Kentucky-bred son of Sky Mesa was sold for $60,000 to top the Aug. 13 California Thoroughbred Breeders Association's Northern California sale at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton.
Purchased by Del Playa Bloodstock from the H & E Ranch consignment, the colt is the first foal produced from the stakes-placed Broken Vow mare Serious Vow and is from the female family of multiple grade II winner Classy Cara.
The sale-topping price for a yearling was a 9% increase from last year’s high sale and is the highest price at the sale since a $72,000 purchase in 2006.
CTBA reported 73 yearlings grossed $438,500 for an average of $6,007 and a median of $4,000. At the same sale a year ago, gross sales were $528,200, for an average of $7,655 and a median price of $3,700 for the 69 sold. The buyback rate this year was 18%, compared with a 27% RNA rate a year ago.
The highest-priced filly was by Lucky J. H. out of the Emerald Jig mare No Peso No Dance. She was bred by Sky Chase Farm, consigned by Harris Farms, and was purchased by Chris Carpenter for $22,000.
This year's sale, the 10th presented in Northern California by the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association, also had six horses of racing age not included in the yearling sale totals.