California: Sale disappointing

A colt by Royal Cat was the sale-topper for $47,000 at Tuesday's Northern California yearling sale in Pleasanton, Calif., an event that failed to live up to expectations.

Overall, 130 yearlings sold for a gross of $893,600, an average of $6,874 and a median of $4,350. There were 41 horses listed as not sold. The sale was organized by the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association, which had hoped for an average of $7,500.

The Royal Cat colt was purchased by northern California trainer Jeff Bonde from the consignment of John Anderson, agent for SLU Inc. The colt is out of the stakes winner Tiza and is a half-brother to Bold Mango, the winner of the 2002 Derby Trial Stakes at Fairplex Park.

The highest-priced filly was purchased for $28,000 by Richard Franco from the consignment of Jack and Barb Hatch's Green Acres Stable. The filly is by Mr Purple out of Ruckus Ridge.

Golden State Stables held a partial dispersal after Tuesday's sale, but it was not well received. From a 44-horse consignment, 14 were sold for $36,500, led by the stallion Vermont, who was sold for $6,000 to Dianna Schwieger of Tracy, Calif. Ten horses from the partial dispersal were withdrawn, while 20 were bought back.