Harness: Yearling-only part of Standardbred Horse Sale ends with record average

The yearling-only portion of the 2021 Standardbred Horse Sale came to a conclusion on Wednesday, and a new record average of $54,653 was set. This average is up 11.7 percent from the previous high of $48,903 set in 2019.

The gross for the three sessions was $42,465,500, the second-highest in sale history, trailing only 2007 ($42,784,000). 1,048 yearlings sold in 2007, compared to 777 this year.

Three yearlings cracked six figures on Wednesday, led by HIP 598 Unity Blue Chip at $145,000. A daughter of E L Titan consigned by Blue Chip Farms, she's the first foal out of the Credit Winner mare Credittomyfamily, a full sister to Moni For Lindy (1:53 4/5, $421,821). Unity Blue Chip’s third dam is the great trotting mare Moni Maker.

"This filly really has everything," said winning bidder Paul Kelley. "She has perfect conformation, combined with a great body and legs. She's quite smart-looking. She's a fantastic individual that can really get over the ground.

"It's a young family that has the potential to really take off pedigree-wise as well. She had everything that I look for in a trotting filly."

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Blue Chip, as agent, also sold HIP 784 Duck Dynasty for $100,000. Purchased by Shane Tritton, this Huntsville colt is the first foal out of Rockn Opium, a sister to Mortal Zin (1:51 4/5, $405,994).

HIP 786 Sublime Hanover also topped out at $100,000 and was taken by Wilma and James MacKenzie. A daughter of Sportswriter-Sammy's Magic Girl bred and consigned by Hanover Shoe Farms, she's a half-sister to Jugette and Ontario Sires Stakes champion Scarlett Hanover (1:50 4/5, $863,454).

With the yearling-only catalog now in the books, the sale shifts to the mixed sale on Thursday and Friday. HIPs 900-1212, plus 1700-1736 in the supplement book, will be available for purchase on Thursday starting at 10 a.m.