Harness: Three seven-figure prices achieved as mixed sale begins

Three horses that were bought back by Marvin Katz as part of a partnership dispersal between him and Al Libfeld entered seven-figure territory on Thursday as the mixed sale kicked off at the Standardbred Horse Sale in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

The fireworks began when French Cafe, whose Walner filly Dejeuner led this year's Lexington Selected Yearling Sale at $1 million, brought the same price. The 9-year-old Father Patrick mare has produced four foals, led by 4-year-old Muscle Hill mare French Champagne ($589,356, 1:51 4/5). French Champagne sold right after French Cafe and was re-acquired by Katz for $1,150,000. Finally, French Cafe's weanling by Muscle Hill named Parisian Charm also fetched $1 million.

Six-year-old Walner mare Fashion Schooner, a multiple stakes winner who finished her racing career with earnings of $765,374 and a mark of 1:50, was purchased by Armitage Farm for $700,000. The 2022 Hambletonian Oaks champion was consigned by Preferred Equine Marketing, Inc. as agent and sold from the Fashion Farms dispersal.

► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter

Libfeld picked up 5-year-old Donato Hanover mare Fashion Athena, who earned $329,383 and took a mark of 1:52 1/5, for $510,000. She was also consigned by Preferred Equine Marketing, Inc. as agent for Fashion Farms.

470 horses and stallion shares sold on Thursday for $22,238,000 and an average of $47,315. The gross far exceeded last year's amount of $15,976,000, while the mixed sale opening session average in 2024 was $46,442.

2025's edition of the Standardbred Horse Sale concludes on Friday with HIPs 1473-1734 available to buy beginning at 11 A.M. (EST).