Pleasanton: Yearling sale’s average price jumps

Led by a colt who sold for $55,000, the Northern California yearling sale at Pleasanton, Calif., last Tuesday showed a 50 percent increase in average price from 2011.

At the one-day sale, 69 horses sold for $528,200, an average of $7,655 and a median of $4,000. In 2011, 70 horses sold for $357,900, an average of $5,113 and a median of $2,700.

Tuesday’s average was the highest since 2006.

The increase was seen by sale organizers as a boost for the state’s breeding industry, which has seen a decline in foal crop in recent years. Tuesday’s sale is the only auction in the northern part of the state each year.

“The average nearly doubled, and there was a huge demand for California-breds,” said Doug Burge, the executive director of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association. “It’s gratifying.

Hopefully, we can revitalize the breeding industry.”

The sale-topper is by Rocky Bar and out of the stakes winner Iza Bon Bon, who earned $338,766. She has produced the stakes-placed runner Candy Pull, by In Excess. Rocky Bar is by In Excess.

The Rocky Bar colt was bred by Gerald Redman, and consigned by Woodbridge Farm, agent. The colt was purchased by Double Kee, LLC.