Average, Median Up as Barretts Mixed Sale Opens

The Barretts October mixed sale posted increases in its average and median prices during the opening session Monday at Fairplex Park in Southern California. With fewer horses sold, the gross revenue dropped.

The final figures were 190 horses sold, a gross of $959,700, an average of $5,051, and a median of $2,700. Last year during the first session, 217 horses were sold for a gross of $992,900, an average of $4,576, and a median of $2,500.

The buy-back rate was 20.2%, down from 28.4% in 2005.

Figurehead, an unraced 3-year-old daughter of Deputy Minister and in foal to Bertrando, brought the session's top price of $47,000 from Barbara Kelly. Consigned by River Edge Farm, agent, Figurehead is out of the Seattle Slew mare Refinement, who is a half-sister to Japanese champion Diamond Biko and to French group III winner Isle de France. Figurehead's second dam is grade I winner Stella Madrid.

The auction's second and final session is Tuesday.