A colt by Benchmark selling for $72,000 topped Tuesday's 2006 Northern California Yearling Sale, which showed an increase in average sale price of 8.6% from last year.The sale, presented by the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association at the Alameda County Fairgrounds, grossed $1,351,600 with 165 individuals sold and 58 bought back. The average was $8,192 and the median was $4,000. Last year's sale, the second conducted in the region by the CTBA in more than a decade, averaged $7,542 with a median of $4,000. Tuesday's sale-topper -- which represented a 44% increase in price from last year's sale-topper -- is out of the stakes-placed Crafty Prospector mare Crafty Belle, was bred by Marty and Pam Wygod, consigned by River Edge Farm, Agent, and purchased by Harry Aleo. The colt is a half-brother to multiple stakes winner Ode to Elaine.
Another Benchmark colt and an Unusual Heat filly tied for second-highest-priced in the session at $60,000 each. The Benchmark, out of the stakes-placed Unbridled's Song mare Brisquette, was bred by Herman Sarkowski and Marty Wygod, consigned by River Edge Farm, Agent, and purchased by Super Horse Inc. The Unusual Heat, out of the stakes-placed Consigliere mare Time to Move, was bred by Edie Leone, consigned by San Hendricks, Agent, and purchased by GCCI.