Records Tumble at Barretts May Sale

The strong market for 2-year-olds in training continued with a record-breaking sale at Barretts' May sale of juveniles May 11. High water marks for average, median, and buy-back rates were eclipsed at the auction, conducted at the Hinds pavilion in Pomona California.

The one-day auction saw 189 2-year-olds selling for $7,053,000, good for an average of $37,371 and a median of $27,000. Last year, under a two-day format, 236 juveniles were sold for $7,186,600 for an average of $30,452 and a median of $17,000.

The average increased 22.5% over last year's figures and the median shot up 58.8%. The buy-back rate fell to 15.6% from 27.2% a year ago.

The average price zipped past the old record mark of $34,039 set in 1997. The previous record median, $22,000, was also set in 1997. The buy-back rate was an all-time low, topping the 20.1% standard set in 2002.

The sale topper was a filly, It'z All Mine, a filly by Belong to Me, out of French Lavender. Unplaced in four starts on the track, the Kentucky-bred French Lavender is a 14-year-old mare by Talinum--Mavera, by Reviewer. Becky Thomas' Sequel Bloodstock, the sale's leading consignor, offered the filly. She was purchased by NW Management & Fleetwood Bloodstock for $350,000.

The sale topper was acquired by Thomas at last year's Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July yearling sale for $50,000. She was consigned by Burning Dalyight Farms and was sold by Bluegrass Thoroughbred Services, agent.

The top-priced colt, and second highest-priced juvenile in the sale was a son of Crafty Prospector--Kidnap, by Silver Deputy. A multiple winner, the 10-year-old Kidnap was bred in Kentucky by John D. Stuart and Peter C. Bance. Terry Oliver consigned the colt, and again, it was purchased by NW Management & Fleetwood Bloodstock for $275,000.

Oliver bought the colt at last year's Keeneland September yearling sale for $130,000 from Elm Tree Farm, agent. The colt failed to meet his reserve earlier this year at the Fasig-Tipton February sale of 2-year-olds at Calder.

Sequel Bloodstock sold seven head for $819,000. NW Management & Fleetwood Bloodstock were the sale's leading buyer.

The auction also set a record for a one-day sale by Barretts.