"The average did decline a bit from last year," general manager Doug Burge said. "Overall, it is great to see such a stellar market for premium Cal-breds."
For the second consecutive year, a Bertrando foal produced from the stakes-placed Skip Trial mare When topped the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association's yearling sale at Del Mar Racecourse. The California-bred colt, a full brother to the filly that topped last year's sale, was purchased by Rollin Baugh, acting as agent for California owner Gary Biszantz, for $240,000 from the consignment of Debbie Sands."Bertrando is now one of the premier stallions," Biszantz said. "I just wanted to have a good one."CTBA reported 129 yearlings were sold for a gross of $4,117,035. The average of $31,915 represented a 13.3% decline from the 1999 average of $36,798 when 109 horses grossed $4,011,000. This year's buyback rate was 31%.
