Numbers Soar at Louisiana Sale

Topped by a Leestown filly, the annual yearling sale conducted by the Breeders Sales Company of Louisiana at the Hamilton Expo Center in West Monroe saw major across-the-board increases in all key statistical categories.

The sale-topper was purchased by Lee Young Farm for $65,000 from the consignment of Red River Farm, agent for Jay Adcock and Neal McFadden. The Leestown filly was produced from the With Approval mare Bussalma, the dam of Caribean Sea, a dual champion in the Dominican Republic, and multiple stakes winner We’ll Sea Ya.

The sales company reported 171 horses sold for a gross of $2,086,300, compared with a gross of $1,288,300 last year when 154 horses were sold. This year’s average price of $12,201 represented a 45.8% increase over the 2007 average of $8,366, and the median price rose to $6,000 from $4,400 a year ago. This year’s buyback rate was 33.7%, compared with 47.4% in 2007, when the sale was held preceding the fall mixed sale.

“We had the best catalog we’ve ever had and had lot more buyers than ever,” said sales coordinator Tom Early, adding that the sales company put more effort into promoting the sale this year. “Plus, more people are realizing what a great place it is to race here (Louisiana), with the purses they are paying.”

Second-highest price of $60,000 was paid by Oak Leaf T.C. (Tony Richey, agent) for a Langfuhr  colt consigned by Red River Farm. The colt was produced from Oriental Doll, a half-sister to stakes winners Northern Sky and Eastern Answer.