New York Mixed Sale Soars

Topped by a weanling daughter of Kafwain  sold for $60,000, Sunday's mixed fall sale conducted by the New York Breeders' Sales Company produced gains in gross, average, and number sold when compared with the same sale one year ago.

This year's auction at Saratoga Race Course was broken down into three sections -- New York-bred weanlings, horses owned by Lakland North, and open mixed offerings.

The company reported 179 horses sold for a gross of $1,373,451 and an average price of $7,673. There were 91 horses that did not sell because they did not reach their reserves. At the same sale one year ago, 116 horses averaged $5,953 from gross receipts of $690,500. There were 128 RNAs last year.

The sale-topper, the second foal from the unraced Birdonthewire mare Birthday Wire, was purchased by Dean Purdom from Fort Christopher's Thoroughbreds.

Top price for a weanling colt was the $45,000 bid from trainer Linda Rice, acting as agent for NMJ Stable, for a son of Toccet. Consigned by Stonebridge Farm, the colt was produced from Uno Dos, by Two Punch.

"We were pleased with the overall performance of the sale," said New York Breeders' Sales Company president Chester Broman. "We created a select weanling session to offer New York breeders an outlet to sell their weanlings, which to date had been non existent. We recognize that we need to refine the selection process for next year's sale. All things considered, you'd have to be pleased this first go 'round with an average price per weanling of nearly $20,000."

"With approximately the same number sold as last year, the sales average this year nearly doubled with only 30% of the horses listed as RNA's," said general manager Chip Landry. "We got real positive feedback from our consignors. This sale was a positive step forward in the evolution of New York."