$650K Tiznow colt tops Barretts sale

POMONA, Calif. - Tuesday's Barretts select sale of 2-year-olds in training finished with a 30 percent decline in average price, putting it in line with the two major Florida sales conducted last month.

The one-day Barretts sale saw 50 horses sell for $6,263,000, an average of $125,260 and a median of $80,000, a 27 percent decline from last year. The sale-topper was a Tiznow colt purchased by Jess Jackson's Stonestreet Stable for $650,000.

The lower average and median were not a surprise to sale company officials, who feared a poor economy would hamper the sale.

"All things considered it isn't that bad," said Barretts vice-president Bill Baker. "Everyone kind of knew it would be a soft market."

Barretts offered a smaller catalog for 2009 compared to last year. In 2008, 132 horses went through the ring, with 73 horses selling for an average of $178,027. This year, 81 horses went through the ring, with 31 listed as not sold.

Earlier this year, the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company select sale had a decline in average of 34 percent. The Fasig-Tipton select 2-year-olds sale at Calder saw averages decline 32 percent.

The Tiznow colt that topped the sale worked a furlong in 10.60 seconds on March 5. He was the second-to-last horse sold at Tuesday's sale, which lasted a mere three hours. Barretts equine manager Kim Lloyd bid on the colt on behalf of Stonestreet while speaking to Jackson on the phone.

The colt was consigned by Ciaran Dunne's Wavertree Stable, and was a pinhook, having been purchased last fall at the Keeneland September yearling sale for $200,000 by Edmonton Inc., a partnership that included Dunne, Vern Dubinsky, and Jack Goldthorpe.

The colt is out of Hurricane Judy, a 17-year-old Storm Cat mare who was placed but did not win. She is the dam of Ronton, the winner of the Rushaway Stakes at Turfway Park in 2000. Ronton later finished 18th in the Kentucky Derby.

The leading filly at the sale, by Tapit, was purchased for $540,000 by Demi O'Byrne, agent, on behalf of Michael Tabor, John Magnier, and Derrick Smith. Consigned by Jerry Bailey Sales Agency, as agent, the filly had a presale workout of 10.20 seconds.

Wavertree was the leading consignor at the sale, selling five horses for an average of $280,000 on behalf of various clients.

Stonestreet led all buyers by gross purchase and average purchase.