Numbers Tumble at New York Breeders Fall Mixed Sale

Numbers fell at the second annual New York Breeders' Sales Co.'s Saratoga fall mixed sale, held Oct. 16 at Saratoga Race Course. The 9-year-old stakes winning mare Long Distance topped the one-day sale.

The sale of 116 horses grossed $690,500, down 43.3% from last year's figure of $1,218,700. The average dropped 6.7% from $6,381 to $5,953. The median remained the same at $2,500.

Of the 290 horses offered 128 failed to find new homes compared to 2004 when 190 horses from the 414 catalogued failed to sell. The 2005 RNA rate was 44.1%.

Last year the sale was held over two days and featured yearlings as well as broodmares and weanlings. This year, the sale company held a two-day yearling sale, Aug. 11-12, with 106 yearlings selling for $1,294,300, an average of $12,210. Seventy-seven yearlings (42.1%) failed to meet their reserves.

By Expensive Decision, Long Distance was sold in foal to Malibu Moon   and purchased by John McMahon for $45,000. Consigned by BlueChip Stock, agent, Long Distance is out of the Phone Trick mare Reverse the Call.

Long Distance produced a New York-bred Posse colt, named Long Chase, Feb. 9, and has an unraced 2-year-old Artaxfilly, Listening Post.