Harness: Ohio Selected Jug Sale in the books

The 2022 edition of the Ohio Selected Jug Sale took place on Friday at the Pickaway Agriculture and Event Center in Circleville, and was headed by HIP 103 Idas First Dance at $170,000.

Idas First Dance, bred by Andy E. Miller and sold by agent Dublin Valley Farm, went to agent Thomas Svensen. Idas First Dance is from the first U.S. crop of Volstead, a Cantab Hall stallion who had plenty of racing success in Europe, including a victory in the Sweden Cup. Idas First Dance is the first foal out of the Triumphant Caviar mare Rose Run Ida, a full sister to Rose Run Sydney [1:54 1/5, $597,703].

"We had every confidence in Volstead, and clearly the astute buyers were willing to take a shot on a European champion son of Cantab Hall. We had a lot of interest in him as a sire earlier in the year, as well as his yearlings this fall," said Robert Hershberger, owner of Dublin Valley Farms and one of a dozen breeders that own the sale. "We are very proud that Volstead's yearlings averaged $67,333. His yearlings looked the part and were well received by the trainers and the buyers."

Downbytheseaside sired four of the other six horses to get into six figures during the sale. Cowboy By The Sea went to thestable.ca for $127,000 from the Spring Haven Farm consignment, What An Ocean View, bred and offered by LMN Bred Stables, Inc., was purchased by Burke Racing LLC. for $120,000, Paddiesbythesea, sold by Cool Winds Farm and Aquatic Farm, brought $115,000 from Ryan Miller, and Rip Tide was also taken by Burke Racing LLC. for $100,000 from Steiner Stock Farm.

"We bred and sold this colt's dam, Graceful Vision," noted Laura Nault of LMN Bred Stables, Inc. in regards to What An Ocean View. "So this was a very special day for us. We are thrilled he is going to the Burke Stable."

The other two yearlings to go into $100,000-plus territory were What The Hill filly Amazing Face ($110,000 and purchased by Greg Luther) and Uncle Peter filly Pink Memories ($105,000 and bought by Joyce McClelland and Larry Wills. Amazing Face was another Spring Haven Farm product, and Hickory Lane Horse Farm was agent for Greenfield Equine on Pink Memories.

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The sale concluded with a slight 1.8 percent gain in average over last year ($28,115 in 2022 vs. $27,612 a year ago). The gross of $7,478.500 was down a bit from 2021 when seven more horses sold (273 in 2021 v. 266 this year).

--quotes courtesy of the Ohio Harness Horse Breeders--