The 11th edition of the John Franks Memorial 2-year-olds in training sale recorded solid results.
A total of 87 youngsters were sold for $788,200, an average of $9,060. Last year's average was $9,078 for the 113 sold. This year's event was held March 17 at Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino.
"We were pleased with our results," said Charlotte Stemmans Clavier, president of Stemmans Inc., administrator for the sale. "The bar was set pretty high after last year's outstanding sale and despite not having any six-figure headliners, we were able to match last year's average sales price. We felt going in to the sale that this year's catalog featured many attractive athletes who we graded in the mid level range and that indeed proved to be the case as no less than 15 of the 87 horses that went through the sales ring sold for $15,000 or more."
The sale topper, Sweet Alice Benbow, sold for $43,000. The bay filly by Wildcat Heir was purchased by local owner Lee Young. She was sold by Boutte Sales, agent.
Forerun, from the first crop of Forefathers, was the highest-priced colt or gelding sold as he was purchased for $42,000 by Rodney Verret. He was consigned by Hebert Quarter Horses and I. Lee Lange.