With no dispersal, Barretts numbers drop

LEXINGTON, Ky. Unlike last year, the Barretts October mixed sale did not include a major dispersal, a factor in weaker returns Monday in its opening session.

The auctions first of two sessions at Fairplex Park in Pomona, Calif., sold 143 horses for a total of $536,600, well down from last years opening-day total of $2,434,500 for 201 horses, including 17 from Stan Fultons dispersal which accounted for $1,322,500 of the 2007 total. The 2008 opener averaged $3,752, down from $12,112, and median fell 49 percent, from $3,500 to $1,800.

Mondays session-topper was an $80,000 yearling Exchange Rate filly out of the stakes winner Our Dear Helen, by Bates Motel. The dark bay or brown filly is a three-quarter-sister to stakes winner Me My Mine. Dennis R. ONeill purchased her from H & E Ranch.

The sale was to continue through Tuesday.