Harness: Trotting broodmares head first mixed sale session

Picking up where the yearling sale left off, Thursday's opening day of the mixed catalog at the Standardbred Horse Sale was a roaring success.

306 horses/stallion shares brought a gross of $13,565,000 and an average of $44,330 during the session. Going back to 2019's opening session of the mixed sale for comparison, this total was up from $12,459,000 (329 offerings that day), and the average climbed 17 percent from $37,869.

Trotting broodmares were in particular demand during the afternoon, led by HIP 1097 What A Knockout, who was purchased by Hanover Shoe Farm for $595,000. A 6-year-old Donato Hanover mare consigned by Peninsula Farm as agent, her dam Southwind Sofia is a half-sister to Southwind Serena, the dam of Mission Brief. What A Knockout was last bred to Muscle Hill.

HIP 1110 Jolie De Vie was the runner-up on the board, as she went to Steve Stewart of Hunterton Farm for $425,000. A 7-year-old Muscle Hill mare, she is the dam of Breeders Crown 2-Year-Old Filly Trot elimination winner Lilbitalexis (1:52 2/5, $173,362). Jolie De Vie was consigned by Preferred Equine Marketing and was last bred to Walner, who is also the sire of Lilbitalexis.

Jean-Pierre Barjon, President of France's central governing body LeTrot and also a breeder, acquired HIP 1106 Graceful Lady for $360,000 and HIP 1093 Maven for $285,000. A 4-year-old Father Patrick mare, Graceful Lady is a sister to Lifetime Pursuit (1:50 4/5, $1,065,586). Graceful Lady was consigned by Preferred Equine and was last bred to Muscle Hill. Maven, who earned almost $2 million in her career and was consigned by agent Peninsula Farm, is a 12-year-old Glidemaster mare. She was last bred to Tactical Landing.

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The highest-priced pacing broodmare was HIP 1140 Rainbowinthedark, who was taken by Ernie Martinez for $140,000. A 6-year-old Bettor's Delight mare, she's a full sister to Bettor's Wish. She was consigned by Hunterton Sales Agency as agent and was last bred to Captaintreacherous.

2021's edition of the Standardbred Horse Sale comes to a close on Friday with HIPs 1300-1551 in the main book and 1800-1821 in the supplement catalog available for purchase.