Higher average sale price for ITOBA auction

The Indiana Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association’s 2-year-olds in training and horse of racing age sale hit a stumbling point Sunday, with a lower gross and higher buyback rate. But it also found a silver lining in its higher average sale price.

The auction, held at Indiana Grand in Shelbyville, Ind., saw six horses change hands for revenues of $33,500, marking a 37 percent decrease in gross from last year’s sale when 10 horses brought $53,100. The average sale price rose 5 percent to $5,583 from $5,310.

Sunday’s buyback rate closed at 43 percent, up from 33 percent in 2016.

The duo of Bruce Murphy and Genaro Garcia were the auction’s most active buyers, landing three horses for a combined $17,500. Among that group was the sale topper, The Last Factor, a $10,000 Entrepreneur gelding.

The 2-year-old dark bay or brown gelding is the first foal out of the unraced Maverick mare Flashy Philly. Bred in Indiana by Rodney Richardson, he is from the family of Grade 2 winner Sissy’s Time, Grade 2-placed stakes winner Hot Market, and Grade/Group 3-placed runners Miss Pink Diva and Sissingaya.

The Last Factor breezed three-eighths in 35.20 seconds, and was consigned by Elliott Ventures, as agent.

Also of note, Pass and Go, a 3-year-old Pass Rush filly who finished third in the ITOBA Stallion Season Fillies Stakes at Indiana Grand the night before the auction, sold to trainer Merrill Roberts for $7,500 to tie for the sale’s second-highest price.

Pass and Go previously raced as a homebred for Herbert and Darlene Likens, and was trained by Barbara McBride. She is winless in 13 career starts, but has placed three times and earned $24,669.