The average price at the 2012 Northern California Yearling Sale jumped by 50% over last year during the ninth annual event Aug. 14 at Pleasanton's Alameda County Fairgrounds.
A colt by new California stallion Rocky Bar out of the stakes-winning mare Iza Bon Bon was the $55,000 topper at the sale, which saw the the highest overall jump in average price since 2006.
There were 69 hips presented during the one-day affair conducted by the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association. Gross sales were $528,200, for an average of $7,655 and a median price of $3,700. Last year's sale had 70 hips bringing gross sales of $357,900, an average of $5,113, and a median price of $2,700.
"The sale's success this year is a direct reflection on the increased demand for Thoroughbreds conceived or bred in California," said Doug Burge, executive vice president and general manager of CTBA. "Buyers understand the value of the current purse structure and the lucrative bonuses and incentives available."
Woodbridge Farm consigned the sale topper for the second straight year. The colt, named Boston Charley, was bred by Gerald Redman and purchased by Double Kee LLC of Yarnell, Az. The colt is a half brother to Candy Pull, a stakes-placed winner of $298,363.
That $55,000 sale-topping price for a yearling was a 37.5% increase from last year's high sale. It was the highest price at the sale since a $72,000 purchase in 2006.
The next highest sale was Zenn Again, a colt by Kafwain out of the stakes-winning Zen mare Ms Zenna. She was bred and consigned by Cheryl Bigon, agent, and purchased for $50,000 by Mersad Metanovic and Jeff Bonde.
Not far behind was a colt by Time To Get Even out of the mare Robotica. Bred by Terry Lovingier and consigned by Lovacres Ranch, agent, he was purchased for $42,000 by Gary Sherlock, agent. The colt is a half brother to the stakes winner Unhitchthetrailor.
The highest-priced filly, by Lucky J. H., is the first foal out of the unraced Jump Start mare Jump. Bred and consigned by Harris Farms, agent, she was purchased for $26,000 by Art Sherman.
