Del Mar sale breaks record

Boosted by a colt and a filly who sold for over $200,000, the Del Mar yearling sale on Monday evening averaged a record $48,228. But it also had a buyback rate of nearly 50 percent of the 110 horses offered.

The sale average rose 39.8 percent from last year's average of $34,506. Monday's sale grossed $2,749,000 for 57 horses sold, a decline of 11.4 percent in gross price from last year. A total of 53 horses were bought back Monday.

The record average eclipsed the 2002 mark of $43,770. The median Monday was a record $33,000, slightly higher than $32,000 mark set in 2002.

The sale topper was a Bertrando colt bought for $250,000 by trainer John Sadler, agent. Sadler declined to name the buyer. The colt is out of Rio Tejo, the reigning California Broodmare of the Year. Consigned by Kathy Berkey Bloodstock on behalf of Rick and Michael Arthur, the colt is a half-brother to stakes winners Giovannetti, Guillermo, and Rio Oro.

The top-selling filly is a full-sister to Silent Sighs, the winner of the Grade 1 Santa Anita Oaks in March. She went for for $225,000 to Laura Stone, agent, who declined to name the buyer. The filly was consigned by Marty and Pam Wygod's River Edge Farm.

Six horses sold for $100,000 or more.