Harness: Lexington Selected Yearling Sale by the numbers
Four sessions are now complete at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale after HIPs 631-844 went through the ring on Thursday afternoon at the Fasig-Tipton Sales Pavilion.
Thursday's action was topped by two horses at $85,000. HIP 661 Michelle, a filly from the first crop of Papi Rob Hanover, went to Joe Holloway, and Andy Miller Stable, Inc. purchased Century Love, a colt by Love You. Michelle was consigned by Brittany Farms and Century Love by agent Peninsula Farm, Inc.
The session was down just over 20 percent on average year-over-year ($23,913 today versus $30,159 in 2022), but the gross was up slightly (from $4,946,000 to $4,973,800) as 44 more horses were offered in this year's fourth session compared to last year. Overall, the sale is now down 13.6% on average from last year through four days, but the gross is poised to see a new sale record as it's already at $63,458,800 with 130 and change horses left to sell. The gross last year for all five sessions totaled $65,289,000.
The top buyer at this year's Lexington Selected Yearling Sale is agent Tony Alagna, as he has spent $4,509,000 on 32 yearlings. Following him is Andrew Harris as agent for William Pollock (10 horses/ $3,550,000), Andy Miller Stable, Inc. (14 / $2,315,000), Marcus Melander (9 / $2,305,000) and Armitage Farm (15 / $2,022,000).
Chapter Seven has the top gross for sires at $7,578,000 for his 56 offerings. Walner ($6,191,000 / 48 horses), Tall Dark Stranger ($5,549,000 / 60), Captaintreacherous ($5,513,000 / 48) and Muscle Hill ($5,391,000 /44) round out the top five. First-crop sire Gimpanzee has the best average at $168,238 for his 21 yearlings. Checking in behind him are Chapter Seven ($135,321), Walner ($128,979), Muscle Hill ($128,979) and Captaintreacherous ($114,854).
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Trotting fillies are leading the way at the sale, with 238 of them bringing a total of $21,958,500. The trotting colts are next ($16,580,700 / 209 horses), followed by pacing colts ($12,681,400 / 188) and pacing fillies ($12,238,200 / 18).
Preferred Equine Marketing, Inc. is the leading consignor in terms of gross thus far, with their 133 horses fetching $10,263,500. Hunterton Sales Agency is hot on their heels at $10,086,000 for their 90 offerings, followed by Kentuckiana Farms ($8,826,500 / 108 horses), Crawford Farms ($5,765,000 / 56) and Hanover Shoe Farms Inc. ($3,393,000 / 25). For averages, All American Harnessbreds tops the list of consignors at $146,000 for their seven horses. Completing the top five in that category are Hanover Shoe Farms Inc. ($135,720), Hunterton Sales Agency ($112,067), Blue Chip Farms ($107,429 / seven horses) and Brittany Farms ($104,529 / 17 horses).
After tomorrow’s racing program at The Red Mile, the 2023 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale will conclude with HIPs 847-987 being offered starting at 7 p.m.