Harness: 2021 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale wraps up

The record-setting 2021 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale concluded on Saturday night with the average up 7.6 percent over 2019's edition, which had set the standard until this year. The gross was also hit a new high of $56,692,500, and 863 horses were sold. 2019's sale saw 762 yearlings go through the ring for a sum of $46,480,000.

Saturday's session was led by sire Downbytheseaside, as seven of his progeny entered six figure territory. The leader of the Downbytheseaside Gang was HIP 757 County Line Cred, who was purchased by Diamond Creek Farm for $230,000. Consigned by Preferred Equine, Inc. as agent, he's the first foal out of Tookaloo Hanover, a half-sister to Tall Drink Hanover (1:48, $893,457).

Burke Racing Stable LLC. took three of the other $100,000+ Downbytheseasides, acquiring colt Boardwalk Jack (HIP 854) from Winbak Farm for $130,000, colt Act Fast (HIP 808) from All American Harnessbreds for $125,000, and filly Queen Of The South (HIP 761) from Preferred Equine, Inc. for $100,000.

148 horses sold in total on Saturday night for a gross of $5,285,500 and an average of $35,713.

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Four sires finished the sale with averages over $100,000. Walner fronted that group at $160,792 (48 yearlings sold), and he was followed by Captaintreacherous ($133,040/50 yearlings sold), Muscle Hill ($119,682/44 yearlings sold), and Chapter Seven ($109,200/40 yearlings sold).

Trotting colts got the nod over their filly counterparts for top honors as far as sex and gait go, with the boys bringing $16,090,000 (261 sold) and the fillies $16,071,000. Pacing fillies fetched $12,538,000 (200 sold) and pacing males rounded out the group at $11,993,500.

The leading consignor by gross was Preferred Equine, Inc. at $8,128,000, followed by Hunterton Sales Agency ($7,863,000), Kentuckiana Farms ($6,668,000), Diamond Creek ($3,610,000), and Winbak Farm ($3,572,000). Preferred Equine sold the most horses (134). For averages, the top consignor was Concord Stud Farm ($186,429). Following Concord Stud Farm was Hanover Shoe Farms ($155,100), Brittany Farms ($115,542), Blue Chip Farms ($100,000), and Cameo Hills Farm ($92,241).

Nancy Takter was the top buyer, spending $2,907,000 for 12 yearlings. Tony Alagna paid $2,725,000 for 26 horses, Steve Heimbecker bought 19 yearlings for $2,342,000, Burke Racing Stable LLC. acquired 24 yearlings for $2,019,000, and Ken Jacobs nabbed four horses for $1,327,000.