Numbers up at Washington sale

The average price was up a hefty 16.8 percent at the Washington Thoroughbred Breeders Association's annual winter mixed sale on Sunday, when 176 horses and seven stallion shares averaged $3,671. The median price for the sale was $2,300, up 55.3 percent from last year's median of $1,500.

Yearlings led the way, with 102 selling for an average of $5,454. The average was up 30.8 percent over last year's mark of $4,170.

Three yearlings tied for the highest price, each bringing $26,000. They were a Mutakddim filly purchased by Victory Stable and David Cooke of Kent, Wash., from the consignment of Blue Ribbon Farm; a colt by Quiet American purchased by Emerald Downs trainer Sharon Ross from the consignment of Halvorson Bloodstock Services LLC; and a full sister to 2006 Emerald stakes winner Wild Cycle (Free at Last-Northern Whirl) purchased by local resident Frank Gaunt from the consignment of Griffin Place LLC, agent for Carnation Racing Stable.

Twenty-one weanlings sold for an average price of $1,857, up 5 percent from last year's average. The category was led by a daughter of Game Plan from the Foothills Farms dispersal, who went for $7,700 to Hastings Park trainer Harrold Barroby.

Forty-seven broodmares and broodmare prospects sold for an average of $1,595, down 19.3 percent from the $1,975 average registered last year. The highest-selling broodmare was the 9-year-old Blue Yodel, a stakes-placed daughter of Nicholas who was purchased for $12,000 by Jerry and Gail Schneider of Auburn from the consignment of Ben-Ben Farms and West Hills Farms. Blue Yodel sold in foal to Slewdledo.

Of the 219 hips offered for sale, 36, or 16.4 percent, failed to attain their reserves. That number was up about 1 percent from last year.