A Repentcolt brought $90,000 Monday to top the yearling portion of the Breeders Sales Company of Louisiana yearling and mixed auction at the Ike Hamilton Expo Center in West Monroe, La. California storage mogul B. Wayne Hughes purchased the bay yearling from Clear Creek Stud, agent.
Bred in Louisiana by Clear Creek and Mason Grasy, the colt is the third foal out of the winning Montreal Red mare Pyrite Missy, who is a half-sister to three-time stakes winner Fortunate Smile. Pyrite Missy also is a half-sister to winner Railroad Lady, who finished second in the 1992 Priscilla Stakes at Suffolk Downs. Railroad Lady is the dam of Railroad, who captured the 2006 Robert K. Kerlan Memorial Handicap at Hollywood Park and three other added-money events.
The results were down across the board compared to the figures for last year's yearling portion of the auction. The 154 horses sold grossed $1,288,300 and averaged $8,366. The median price was $4,400.
The number sold and gross declined 14.4% and 30.5%, respectively, while the average dropped 18.7%. The median fell 12.0%.
The buy-back rate was 37.4%, with 92 of the 246 yearlings offered failing to find new homes.
The auction ends Tuesday with a mixed session, which begins at 10 a.m. (CDT).