(Edited press release)
The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association recently announced that the annual Breeders Sales Co. of Louisiana yearling sale followed by a mixed session will move from its previous Louisiana Downs, Bossier City location to the Ike Hamilton Equine Exposition Center located in West Monroe, La. This move comes as a result of circumstances and expense associated with limited space and stall availability and other matters.
The Ike Hamilton Equine Exposition Center first opened in August of 2001. The 40-acre site is a fully climate controlled event-arena, with 510 stalls all under one roof and includes office space with Internet service and a pre-sale ring.
“The West Monroe location is an ultra-modern facility under one roof that everyone will appreciate. I think it will be a great sale and I look forward to the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association coming in for the sale,” said manager Ramona Martin. “The facility is safe for the horses, and the center is very convenient to get to, with great hotels and restaurants nearby.”
In 2006, the Breeders Sales Co. of Louisiana yearling sale set record highs when a filly by Salt Lake and a colt by Grand Slameach sold for $100,000 -- the first time in the history of the sale that a horse has sold for a six-figure amount. A total of 186 horses sold for $1,880,900 for a 51% increase from 2005 when 163 horses sold for $1,242,250. The average per horse topped out at $10,112, a 32 % increase when compared to $7,652 in ‘05.
The sale company also announced as an added incentive for buyers at the sale, hotel rooms for everyone purchasing a yearling for a price of $10,000 or more will be paid for by the sale company.
All accredited Louisiana bred yearlings sold in this sale are eligible for the Bayou State Bonus. This is a $100,000 bonus to any yearling colt or gelding that wins the Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile, the Crescent City Derby, and the A.L. “Red” Erwin or any filly that wins the Louisiana Champions Day Lassie, the Crescent City Oaks, and the Elge Rasberry.
