$40K topper at Washington sale

Gross receipts soared, but the average price dipped at the Washington Thoroughbred Breeders Association's winter mixed sale in Auburn, Wash., on Sunday.

A total of 215 horses sold for $879,150 for an average of $4,089. The gross was up 20 percent while the average fell 15 percent from last year, when 152 horses went for $730,100.

The sale topper was a yearling daughter of General Meeting who went to Frank Gaunt of Covington, Wash., for $40,000. The filly, who is out of the Hansel mare Secret Advice R. N., was consigned by Woods Creek Training Center, agent for Dr. Mark Dedomenico.

Two yearlings sold for $30,000 apiece, a Smart Strike colt who was purchased by Southern California trainer Mike Puhich from Castlegate Farm, and a Meadowlake filly bought by W. Peter Morris of Vancouver, British Columbia.

The highest priced broodmare was Miss Pixie, who sold in foal to Ihtimam for $24,000 to Howard Belvoir. Belvoir trained Miss Pixie through a career that netted more than $300,000 in earnings.