CRAPAUD, P.E.I. — Buyers were out in full force for the Atlantic Classic Yearling Sale last week in Crapaud as more than $1.1 million was spent in hopes of having the next champion.
The Crapaud Agriplex was packed Oct. 11 as 108 yearlings went through the sales ring with three of those horses pegged as reserve-not-achieved. From the 105 yearlings that were signed for, the total gross was $958,800, good for a sparkling $9,131 average per horse sold. Then add in the 15 per cent HST and buyers collectively forked over $1.1 million on young horses.
Woodmere Fenn was the top sale of the day as the son of Rollwithitharry was purchased by Pat Morris of Charlottetown for $26,000. Rick Adams of Charlottetown signed for the top priced trotter, Infinite Force, a daughter of Tad The Stud, with a $10,500 price tag.
While the gross of $958,800 was a sales record, the 2017 edition of the sale still holds the record for highest sales average as 89 hips sold for a $9,224 average before applying sales tax. The 2018 average was $7,577 per yearling.
The most startling number was the sheer volume of high-priced yearlings at this year’s sale as 40 yearlings sold for $10,000 or more and six yearlings had price tags surpassing $20,000.
Woodmere Farms of Marshfield was the big winner of the day as proprietor Bruce Wood had a marvellous group of 11 yearlings to sell. The buyers rewarded him as his group grossed $202,950 for an unbelievable average of $18,450. On the other spectrum of the sales topper, Woodmere sold their two cheapest yearlings for $13,000 a piece, speaking to how sought after these horses were.
Of stallions selling three of more yearlings on the day, Woodmere Farms’ own Rollwithitharry was the top stud as he sold 10 yearlings for $152,750 translating into a $15,275 average.
The first and only crop of the late Steelhead Hanover chimed in second with 12 yearlings selling for $147,650 good for a $12,304 average.
Ontario sire Betterthancheddar had three yearlings sell for an average of $10,750, followed by first crop sire Source Of Pride selling 14 yearlings for a $10,000 average.
Veteran sire Western Paradise saw a $9,667 average from three yearlings, with Stonebridge Terror selling 10 horses for a $8,690 average.
The final Atlantic crop of the late Ameripan Gigolo saw five yearlings pass through the ring for a $8,450 average while Hilarious Halo had his first crop well received with sales averaging $8,400 for four yearlings sold. Trotting sire Tad The Stud had 11 in the sale for a $74,600 gross and a $6,781 average. The first crop of Cougar Hall had seven horses selling for a $6,157 average followed by Westwardho Hanover ($5,867 average, three yearlings), Malicious ($4,693 average, seven yearlings) and Image Of Dawn ($3,317 average, three yearlings).
The 11 Ontario-breds of the day collectively brought $117,550 for a $10,686 selling average.
Nick’s Picks
Saturday at 12:30 p.m. at Red Shoresat the Charlottetown Driving Park:
Race 1 – Whipple Effect
Race 2 – Smiley Bayama
Race 3 – Im A Miracle
Race 4 – Er Quinn
Race 5 – Likely To Win
Race 6 – Dusty Lane Cortez
Race 7 – Bobjohnski
Race 8 – Casimir Obama
Race 9 – Jordies Hope
Race 10 – Midnight Matt
Race 11 – Rose Run Quest
Race 12 – Silverhill Buddy
Related link:
• Full list of yearlings in sale
Nicholas Oakes' column appears in The Guardian each Friday. He can be reached at [email protected].
