Harness: French Trotters fetch $143,000 in PEO mixed auction

The first of two installments of Preferred Equine Online Mixed Sales that feature French trotters brought $143,000 for the four horses that were sold from the seven offered.

The soon-to-be-imported racehorses were led by the $270,000 earner Elegant Du Lupin, who sold for $50,000 to Jonathan Klee, Justin Bolasci and William Garofalo. Other top sellers included Ginai Des Epines, who was purchased for $44,000 by Triple D Stables.

The sale's number one seller was actually a U.S.-based racemare, Sly Eleanor N p,1:51 1/5f ($284,328), who has been racing in the mares winners-over class at Pocono. Sold by Preferred Equine Online as agent for owner Gary Lance, she was purchased by prominent buyer Brad Grant's BJG Racing for $78,000.

The horses not sold are still available on a "make offer" basis with an asking price. They may be viewed on the sales page, along with rthe sale's complete results.

"All in all, combining French and American horses in a mixed sale went very well," said PEO owner and manager David Reid. "We're excited to work with LeTrot's team of advisors to try this new concept, and I think there's certainly a North American market for these types of horses."

Reid said that just like selling North American racehorses, quality rises to the top and is what buyers are after.

"I think domestic buyers will learn the racing style and time conversion, and begin to accurately compare talent level with what we have here. The LeTrot team of inspectors did a terrific job of evaluating the draft of horses and in the preparations that led to them being offered for sale," Reid added.

Preferred Equine Online will feature six more French trotters in its sale next Monday, Aug. 1, which will be open to all horses. The deadline for entries for additional racehorses, race fillies and broodmares is Wednesday, July 27.

The roster and catalog will be posted at preferredequineonline.com on Friday, July 29.

-release (Preferred Equine Online)