$120K mare tops Barretts sale

Villa Margurite, a 5-year-old mare who never raced, topped the Barretts January mixed sale in Pomona, Calif., on Wednesday, attracting a bid of $120,000 from prominent California owner-breeders Marty and Pam Wygod.

Villa Margurite was the most expensive horse sold at the two-day sale, which showed declines from the 2007 sale that was dominated by significant dispersals.

Overall, 354 horses sold for $2,225,900, an average of $6,288. The average fell 34.1 percent from the 2007 average of $9,544.

At Wednesday's session, 165 horses sold for $969,300, an average of $5,875. The average was down 21.7 percent from the average of $7,504 at the corresponding session in 2007.

Villa Margurite was consigned by the Wygods' River Edge Farm, agent for the estate of Edward Nahem. The mare is by top California stallion Bertrando out of Personal Victory. Villa Margurite is a full sister to the multiple stakes winner Hugh Hefner ($291,376) and the stakes-placed Speedy Pick ($210,954). Villa Margurite was sold in foal to Benchmark, who stands at River Edge Farm.

Villa Margurite was the only horse in the sale to sell for $100,000 or more. The leading yearling was a Marino Marini colt who sold for $70,000 on Wednesday to Patrick Sheehy. The colt is out of the stakes-placed mare Storybook Fair and is a half-brother to the multiple stakes winner Shining Nuggets ($200,343).