Stakes winner La Nez brings $75,000 at final Barretts sale

La Nez, an 11-year-old mare who won four stakes in an 18-race career from 2009-12, was purchased for $75,000 at Tuesday’s Barretts fall sale of yearlings and horses of all ages, the most expensive hip in the sale company’s final auction.

Barretts, which has conducted sales in Pomona and Del Mar since 1990, is closing its operation this year. Tuesday’s sale was the company’s fourth event of 2018 and was held at the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds in Pomona.

The California Thoroughbred Breeders Association plans to conduct a January mixed sale in Pomona on Jan. 19. Later in 2019, Fasig-Tipton has scheduled a sale of 2-year-olds in training at Santa Anita in June and a yearling sale at the racetrack in September.

Tuesday’s sale saw 139 horses sell for $1,419,700, an average of $10,214. The figures were lower than the corresponding sale in 2017, where 158 horses sold for $2,315,000, an average of $14,642. On Tuesday, there were 137 horses listed as not sold, or 49 percent, from 276 who went through the ring.

A Smiling Tiger colt was listed as not sold for $165,000 from the consignment of Critter Creek Farm. The colt is a half-brother to the multiple stakes winner California Diamond, who perished in the fire that struck the San Luis Rey Downs training center last December.

La Nez, who sold in foal to Danzing Candy, was purchased by the Meah-Lloyd Bloodstock of David Meah and Jamie Lloyd. La Nez is the dam of three foals to race, including the winners From Ria to Riches and Tapit Today.

The most expensive yearling purchased on Tuesday was a California-bred colt by Justin Phillip bought for $57,000 by Nick Hines, agent for the Slam Dunk Racing partnership. The colt is out of Country Whirl, 19, who has produced six winners and was consigned by Critter Creek Farm as agent for Carnation Racing Stable.