Minnesota yearling and mixed sale regresses from record highs

A year after posting record figures in gross and average, the 2015 Minnesota Thoroughbred Association yearling and mixed sale took a step backward on Monday.

The auction saw 40 yearlings and two juveniles change hands for combined revenues of $310,150, down 32 percent from last year’s all-time high of $454,100 from 43 horses sold. The yearling average price dropped 28 percent from a record $10,560 to $7,594, while the median fell 27 percent from $5,700 to $4,150.

While the key monetary indicators were down significantly from their often record levels of 2014, it is important to note that this year’s gross, average, and median all finished higher than the 2013 renewal of the MTA sale.

Both 2-year-olds offered in the sale sold successfully for an average price of $3,200.

The overall buyback rate closed at 37 percent, marking a slightly improved from last year’s 39 percent.

A Stephen Got Even colt named Got Even Smarter topped the sale, going to Les Schneider for $30,000.

Bred in Minnesota by consignor Wildcat Ranch and Paul Schaffer, the bay colt is out of the unraced Smart Strike mare Just Smart, whose first foal to race is a winner. He is from the family of Grade 3 winner Wild Snitch and Grade 3-placed stakes winners Hardened Wildcat and Vengeful Wildcat.

Circle W Performance Horses was the auction’s leading consignor, with 11 horses sold for a combined $65,500. The Iowa-based operation was led by Boyd’s Secret, a Minnesota-bred filly from the first crop of sire Jersey Town who sold to Bruce and Mary Malkerson for $24,500.

Schneider was the leading buyer, with two purchases totaling $32,500, including the sale-topper.