Canadian auction session dips

A $195,000 colt by Tale of the Cat headed the select session of the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society's Canadian-bred yearling sale at the Woodbine Sales Pavilion on Tuesday.

A total of 149 yearlings grossed $5,830,500 at the sale. The average, $39,131, was down 2.4 percent from the $40,088 average at last year's sale, when 159 yearlings brought $6,374,000. The number of yearlings listed as not sold was 65, compared with 59 in 2007.

Winsong Farm purchased the sale-topper from Woodlands Farm as agent. The colt is the first foal from the winning Unbridled mare Remsheg.

The next-highest price, at $185,000, was a filly from the first and only crop of the 2005 Horse of the Year, Saint Liam. Arosa Farm was listed as the buyer, and the consignor was Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency, agent.

Bear Stables paid $165,000 for a son of Peaks and Valleys from Gardiner Farms Limited, as agent. The colt is a half-brother to stakes winner Wisdomisgold.

Bear Stables also purchased a $150,000 colt by Congaree from Windfields Farm, as agent.

The sale was to continue with the preferred session on Saturday.