Harness: Solid returns at Blooded Horse Winter Sale

The annual Blooded Horse Winter Sale, held Feb. 12 at the Champions Center in Springfield, Ohio, was the strongest in its 56-year history. It was standing room only as owners, trainers and breeders flooded the pavilion to restock stables and acquire broodmares.

“People love coming to a sale to actually see and touch the horses they want to buy,” said sale manager Jerry Haws. “It may take a bit more time and resources, but the dividends far outweigh the cost. Bringing horses to a packed venue of eager buyers is a tremendous marketing tool. Consignors, for the most part, were quite pleased.”

The sale topper was the Muscle Hill 5-year-old trotter Southwind Cobra, who was purchased by Loren Yoder of Iowa for stallion duties for $54,000. Consigned by Windy Ridge Farm, the Grand Circuit winner sported a record of 1:53 3/5 and earnings of $236,834. Runner-up honors went to the highly competitive 4-yr old pacer Gerardo, a winner of $104,000 last year. Consigned by Doug Dunbar of Ontario, the son of Rockin Image was bought near the end of the sale by Kayne Kauffman for $50,000. Dunbar also signed the ticket for the solid conditioned pacing mare Big Lis for $35,000, one of 29 that Canadian buyers took home. Of those, six were purchased by Brian Doyle for export to Ireland, including the lovely Art Major broodmare Miri for $17,000.

The Burke Racing Stable consignment included a pair of fancy trotting fillies that got breeders’ attention. Winterwood Farm, acting as agent, had the final bid on Pink Fringes, a daughter of Uncle Peter from the family of B Cor Pete 1:53 2/5 ($893,076) and Tall Cotton 1:51 3/5f ($871,621) for $26,000, and Dublin Valley Farm secured Pat On The Back, a Donato Hanover daughter of Buck I St Pat 1:51 ($2,320,637) for $15,000.

The always popular Spring Haven Farm consignment offered the fast 5-year-old Somebeachsomewhere mare Mylittlesurfergirl 1:51 3/5 who was purchased by Gray Thunder II Stable of NY for $18,500, and the attractive 4-year-old trotting gelding Fan The Flames that Brandon Presto acquired for $19,000 to race at The Meadows.

For complete sale results visit bloodedhorse.com. The next sale is May 14 and it’s an exceptionally strong market for racehorses. Entries close April 22.

-edited release (Blooded Horse Sale)