The WTBA reported that 215 horses were sold, in all, for a gross of $879,150, an average price of $4,089, and a median price of $2,100. Last year, according to The Blood-Horse's figures, 148 horses were sold for a gross of $726,800, an average of $4,911, and a median of $2,700 The buy-back rate was 13.7% this year compared to 17.8% last year.
Secret Flame, a yearling daughter of General Meeting, brought the top price of $40,000 during the Washington Thoroughbred Breeders Association (WTBA) winter mixed sale Sunday at Emerald Downs. Frank Gaunt of Covington, Wash., purchased the California-bred bay filly from Woods Creek Training Center, agent. Dr. Mark Dedomenico, Secret Flame's breeder, operates Woods Creek.Secret Flame is out of 9-year-old Hansel mare Secret Advice R. N, who scored in the 1998 Palo Alto Stakes at Bay Meadows. Secret Advice R. N is a half-sister to added-money winner Rahy's Secret (by Rahy), and other members of her family include Canadian champion Bayford, successful sire and European group I winner Northern Baby, and grade II winner Kimberlite Pipe.