Barretts average steady

A filly by Cape Town sold for $240,000 at Tuesday's California October yearling sale at Barretts, the top seller in a one-day sale that was weaker in several categories than the 2005 sale.

The sale, primarily of California-breds, saw 171 horses sell for $4,336,900. The gross declined 17 percent from last year's inaugural sale. While the average price of $25,362 was $50 higher than last year, the number sold fell 17 percent from 207, and the median fell from $17,000 to $16,000.

Of the 327 yearlings cataloged, 108, or 33 percent, were listed as not sold. Last year, 26.8 percent of those cataloged were not sold.

The Cape Town filly, out of Charming Gal, was purchased by John Brocklebank, agent. The filly was consigned by Andy Havens, agent for Craig and Rebecca Shields of Shields Thoroughbreds in Santa Ynez, Calif.

Brocklebank, based in South Jordan, Utah, led all buyers, acquiring seven yearlings for $405,000. Havens led all consignors, selling 28 horses for $763,200.