CTHS Ontario division's premier yearling sale stays steady

A $180,000 Practical Joke filly led the way as the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society's Ontario division's premier yearling sale posted a strong gross and slightly improved average on Wednesday at the Woodbine sales pavilion in Toronto.

The CTHS reported that 158 yearlings were sold for a gross of $3,144,400. At last year's sale, 142 were sold for a total of $2,795,300.

With five Ontario-bred yearlings sold for six figures, the average price was $19,901, ticking upward slightly from $19,685 last year. The median was $10,000, down from $14,500 last year. The sale's buyback rate was 29 percent, compared to 28 percent last year.

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“The CTHS was pleased to see five yearlings selling for over $100,000 in this year’s sale, along with the positive growth in gross sales, taking into account the fact that we are in our second year of a delayed start with a shortened racing season, coupled with lifestyle changes due to the COVID-19 health pandemic," said Peter Berringer, president and sales chair of the CTHS Ontario division.

The sale-topping Practical Joke filly was purchased by Josh Nelson. The filly, who was consigned by Shannondoe Farm, as agent, is from the second crop of multiple Grade 1 winner Practical Joke, a son of Into Mischief. His first crop is led by graded stakes winner Wit, expected to be the favorite in Monday's Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga.

The filly is the second foal out of the multiple stakes-winning Silent Name mare Silent Treat. Her first foal placed in both starts as a juvenile. Silent Treat is out of stakes winner Crumpet, who produced five winners from as many starters. This is the extended family of Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint winner Wavell Avenue.