Stan Fulton’s complete dispersal of horses of racing age dominated the first day of the Barretts’ fall mixed sale Oct. 29. Five of Fulton’s horses brought six figures, four of those surpassing the previous Barretts record of $125,000 for a horse of racing age.
Tenga Cat topped the session at $250,000. Trainer Mike Marlow bought the 4-year-old son of Storm Cat-Tenga, by Mr. Prospector, on behalf of Grant S. Truman. Trained by John Shirreffs for Fulton, Tenga Cat has won two of five starts on the racetrack for earnings of $76,840.
Andy Havens’ Havens Bloodstock Agency handled the Fulton dispersal, which included $205,000 Midnight Excess, $180,000 Orientate Slew, $170,000 A Dubai, and $100,000 Devil Again.
“I had the colts here at Barretts,” Havens said. “All the fillies will be sold at Keeneland in November. I felt the horses sold right on the money and pretty much sorted out like I thought they would. Fulton’s people were very good to work for. They made sure the horses had X-rays and that there was a lot of information for the buyers.”
The first session of the two-day sale grossed $2,434,500 for 201 sold and averaged $12,112. The average represented an increase of 139.8% from the corresponding day in 2006. Consignments at the fall sale included the continuing reduction dispersal of Betty and Larry Mabee’s Golden Eagle Farm.
“This is just more evidence that horses of racing age and racing prospects lead the California market,” said Gerald McMahon, Barretts’ president and general manager. “We had very good attendance at the sale from Canada, Utah, and Mexico, which is good for this market.”
McMahon said that he thought the recent Southern California wildfires might have had an impact on the sale in that many horsemen from affected areas were still recovering. However, no consignments or horses had to withdraw from the sale due to the fires.
The 68 horses of racing age averaged $26,813, up 391.89% from 2006. Broodmares averaged $5,502 on 46 head, yearlings $4,011 on 74 head, and weanlings $4,715 on 13 head. The sale continues Oct. 30 with hip numbers 326-653.
