The Carter Sales Co. Oklahoma City summer Thoroughbred sale closed at record heights on Aug. 19 at the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds. The one-day sale for yearlings, 2-year-olds and horses of racing age saw 56 horses sell for a record gross of $448,600, up 59 percent from last year’s total of $282,700 from 50 sold. The average sale price rose 42 percent from $5,654 to a record $8,011, while the median of $6,000 was a 36 percent increase from $4,400 last year. The buyback rate also saw a decline, from 28 percent in 2012 to 22 percent this year. “We expected a better sale, but these numbers really signal a turn,” said sale manager Terri Carter. “Our racing is really strong, but like sales across the country the last couple of years have been a little tough.  It was exciting to see the value of these horses rise and the people at the sale really had a good time.” The sale was topped by a Primary Suspect colt, who was secured by Randy Patterson for $27,000. The bay colt is out of the stakes-placed winning Saint Ballado mare Spirited Maiden, who is the dam of one winner from two foals to race, with that winner being stakes-placed Franksassessedvalu. Bred in Oklahoma by Center Hills Farm and consigned by Mighty Acres as agent for the breeder, the colt is from the family of Grade/Group 3 winners Salty Strike and Eishin Lombard. One of the factors that helped drive sale figures this year was the addition of a horses of racing age segment, which featured five horses sold from 12 offered for an average price of $10,200. With the sale coinciding with the opening of Remington Park’s Thoroughbred meet, the new segment presented buyers the opportunity for a quick turnaround. “The buyers were able to buy a horse Monday and enter him on Wednesday,” Carter said. “It doesn’t get much more fun than that.” For complete results, click here.