The ninth edition of the John Franks Memorial 2-year-olds in training sale at Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino March 20 recorded a slight increase in average sales price while also posting declines in horses sold and total receipts.
“Given the current economic conditions and the lack of any headline-grabbing sales topper, we were pleased with our results,” the sales company stated in a release. “The numbers compare favorably with our earlier sales and we continue to offer an improved product and there were many attractive and promising individuals who sold in the mid-level range of $10,000 to $20,000.”
At this year’s sale, 113 youngsters were sold for a total of $901,500 and an average of $7,978, which reflected an increase of more than 2.2% from last year’s average mark of $7,803. With more than 20 fewer juveniles sold, total receipts declined from the 2010 mark of $1,045,700.
Thoroughbred racing will return to Evangeline Downs Wednesday, April 6, with the season running through Monday, September 5. As in past seasons, racing will be conducted on a four-evening-a-week schedule, Wednesday through Saturday, with a first post of 5:40 pm CT.