Barretts Mixed Sale Concludes With Mixed Results

Canadian-bred Suborned was purchased by Darby Dan Bloodstock for $70,000 to top the second and final session of the Barretts January mixed sale Wednesday in Southern California. The largest-ever January sale conducted by Barretts resulted in decreases in the gross, average, and median prices.

The sale concluded with 460 horses selling for a gross of $3,257,800, an average of $7,082, and a median of $3,700. A total of 67 horses failed to find new owners. This year's gross was the third highest in Barretts history behind the auctions of 2001 and 1996, while the average sale price of 2002 was the second highest since 1997, behind last year.

At the 2001 auction, 429 horses sold for a gross of $6,026,200, a decrease of 46%. The average price was $14,047 and a median of $5,500, with 34 failing to meet their reserves. The average and median were down 50% and 33%, respectively.

Barretts president and general manager Gerald F. McMahon said last year's numbers were skewed when compared with with year due to differences in the dispersals offered at the sale.

"Overall, we're really pleased with the results," McMahon said. "There was real solid attendance by buyers from the West, Mexico and Canada."

A 10-year-old daughter of Ascot Knight, Suborned is the dam of grade II stakes winner Trailthefox and was sold in foal to Avenue of Flags. As a juvenile, Trailthefox won the Arlington-Washington Futurity (gr. II) at Arlington Park and was grade III-stakes placed in the Best Pal Stakes at Del Mar. As a 3-year-old, Trailthefox won the restricted Zany Tactics Stakes at Santa Anita. In his first and only start as a 4-year-old, Trailthefox finished sixth in the restricted Sensational Star Handicap Jan. 12 at Santa Anita.

Suborned was consigned to the sale by Berkey Bloodstock Services, agent for Lathrop G. Hoffman, who purchased Suborned for $4,000 while the mare was carrying Trailthefox from the Adena Spring, as agent, consignment at the 1997 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky November mixed sale.

In all on Wednesday, 253 horses were sold for a gross of $1,690,300, an average of $6,681, and a median of $3,500.

During the first session on Tuesday, 207 horses were sold for a gross of $1,567,500, an average of $7,572, and a median of $4,500. Leading the way on Tuesday was multiple stakes winner Song of the Moment who brought a final bid of $72,000 from Sid and Jenny Craig. Golden Eagle Farm consigned Song of the Moment.

Wednesday's second and final session included horses owned by Bella Thoroughbreds, which is operated by Michele Serrao and Bryan Rosenquist. The 48-hip Bella Thoroughrbed consignment totaled $336,000 with an average price of $7,000. Miners Trail Receivership, Madera Thoroughbreds, as agent, sold the Bella consignment. Serrao and Rosenquist face charges that they embezzled $12.7 million from Bank of America. A trial in U.S. District Court in Oakland is scheduled for early March.