Harness: Pedigree power and more on tap for Lexington Selected Sale

A highlight of every year in the Standardbred industry is the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale and one could certainly argue that the 2021 catalog is on par with the best the sale has ever offered.

The number of horses available in Lexington at this year's sale, scheduled for Tuesday, October 5 to Saturday, October 9 at the Fasig-Tipton Sales Pavilion, is by far the largest since 2005 when the sale began archiving results online. A total of 882 yearlings were entered in the sale and only two have pulled out to date. According to co-Sales manager Dave Reid the catalog includes 36 more horses than 2020.

"I think the sale is extremely strong," said Reid. "The catalog is probably equal to the last few years' strength if not stronger. It is extremely strong, deep and diversified."

"We had a record year in 2019 when we saw the two yearlings make history by selling for $1 million. I thought 2020, considering the state of the world and the Pandemic, that the sale held up really well. I think the buyers, the trainers, the consignors all handled adversity really well. I don't like to make predictions because so much can change between now and the sale. There are some factors that can influence things: the pandemic, travel restrictions and governmental issues. Based off the horse industry itself, I expect the sale to be comparable to the last few years. I don't see a big drop-off. If everything stays stable, the marketplace should be fair and healthy for all sides."

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Perhaps surprisingly, as the number of horses sold has increased, so has the average price per horse. From 2013 to 2017 an average of 634 horses were sold for $48,807. Since 2018, the averages have increased to 760 horses and $56,190.

While the opening session will kick off at the usual 7:00 PM time, a change for 2021 is a 3:00 PM starting time on both Wednesday and Thursday.

"We've heard from a number of buyers and trainers that getting done at 11:30/11:45 at night makes it a little more tiring for them," said Reid. "So Randy and I felt it was a good idea to try the new time and let people enjoy the Lexington experience of being able to being able to go out after the sale or getting to put their heads on the pillow a bit earlier."

Before the 3:00 PM session on Wednesday, Reid and co-sales manager Randy Manges will play host to the 2021 Breeders Crown Charity Challenge presented by the Libfeld-Katz breeding partnership. Local New Jersey charities (since the Breeders Crown is being held at The Meadowlands this year) will benefit from the auction of donated breedings to the following stallions:

* Always B Miki - Adam Bowden of Diamond Creek Farms

* Captaintreacherous -- Captaintreacherous Syndicate

* Chapter Seven -- Blue Chip Farm & Chapter Seven Syndicate

* Greenshoe - Greenshoe Syndicate

* Muscle Hill -- Southwind Farm & Muscle Hill Syndicate

* Tall Dark Stranger -- Hanover Shoe Farm & Dr. Bridgette Jablonsky

* Walner -- Walner Syndicate

* Perfect Sting -- Brittany Farms & Val D'Or

One thing you won't see in 2021 during the Lexington Sale is a mixed session. Held in 2018 and 2020, Reid and Manges elected to pass on it this year.

"Randy and I always felt it was a good place for the venue. We had a smaller catalog that sold well, but we decided to pass this year," said Reid.

For those still waiting to receive a catalog in the mail, the first crop of Tactical Landing leads the sale in terms of numbers with 69 yearlings, followed by sons and daughters of Father Patrick (60), Always B Miki (52), Captaintreacherous (50) and Walner (48). Walner is the opening-night headliner with 18 yearlings, edging out Muscle Hill (16), Chapter Seven (15), Captaintreacherous (14) and Tactical Landing (13).

Over the first two sessions, Captaintreacherous saw the biggest gains with 14 more yearlings than in 2020. Meanwhile, Always B Miki-sired yearlings decreased by 10 in the first two nights.

"We have more Captains this year than we had last year, so that plays a part," said Reid. "The sale is probably 55% trotters and 45% pacers and the sessions are probably weighted similarly. I think the pacing market itself is something that is a little subjective and we are trying to do a balancing act."

Captaintreacherous led all pacing stallions at Lexington in 2020 with an average price of $98,379 and perhaps he'll face pressure from budding star Downbytheseaside this year. Muscle Hill remained at the top with a $132,510 average last year and is almost certain to be challenged for that top spot by Walner at the sale in October.

First-crop stallions of note include Tactical Landing, Crazy Wow, Stay Hungry, Lazarus and International Moni.

The bids begin to fly just after 7:00 PM on October 5 and whether in person or participating via an online platform, the action should be fast and furious as usual.

Be sure to check out our September 30 Lexington Preview Newsletter Issue for extended coverage of the sale with previews of yearlings, consignors, participants and more. For advertising information in that issue, email dgiwner@drf.com. To sign up, click here.