by David Carr, the United States Trotting Association

Lexington, KY — The Lexington Selected Yearling Sale continued Wednesday evening (Oct. 1) on a near-record course for average sale price through two sessions. The average sale price of $74,858 is the second highest in its 10-year history through two sessions for Lexington Selected, trailing only the $77,536 set in pre-financial crisis 2007. The current average, based on 254 yearlings sold, is an improvement over last year’s two-day mark of $66,149 by an impressive 13.2 percent.

Focusing on Wednesday’s results, a total of 157 yearlings passed through the sales ring, fetching an average of $56,261. For both gaits it was the fillies that led the way, averaging more than $59,000 apiece. As with Tuesday’s opening session, pacing colts, so often the pacesetters at sales, brought up the rear at $50,049.

The sale topper on Wednesday at $180,000 was Sunset Glider, by the leading money-winning trotting sire Cantab Hall out of Highland Glider, a half-sister to world champion and $800,000 winning Godiva Hall. Buyer Jimmy Takter will be adding Sunset Glider to his powerhouse stable. Kentuckiana Farms consigned the filly as agent for breeder James Wilhite Jr.

Runner-up honors overall for the session belonged to the top pacer on Wednesday, Warrawee Ruthless, selling for $170,000 to Tony Alagna. This colt by Sportswriter, whose first crop has been dominating in Ontario, is out of Great Memories, making him a half-brother to millionaire Warrawee Needy and half-million dollar winner Big Bay Point. Preferred Equine Marketing, Inc. showcased this yearling for breeder Warrawee Farm.

A pair of trotters sold for $160,000 apiece. OK Kemp, a Muscle Hill filly from Distaff, the dam of $600,000 Budster and the 2-year-old Kelsey’s Keepsake, was deemed to be far more than okay by buyers Let It Ride Stables Inc. Hunterton Sales Agency represented the breeders Steve Stewart and Kemppi Stable.

Swedes were again active bidders and buyers in Lexington on Wednesday, with Robert Bergh signing for the most expensive of these, the colt Curious De Vie. The first foal from $200,000 winning mare So You De Vie and by prized sire Credit Winner, Curious De Vie was consigned by Preferred Equine Marketing Inc. for breeder Joie De Vie Farm LLC.

The Lexington Selected Yearling Sale continues each evening at 7 p.m. through Saturday at the Fasig-Tipton Sale Arena.

Listed below are the leading yearlings for the second session and summary stats.

Yearling-Sire-Dam-Sex-Gait-Price-Buyer
Sunset Glider-Cantab Hall-Highland Glider-M-T-$180,000-Jimmy Takter
Warrawee Ruthless-Sportswriter-Great Memories-H-P-$170,000-Anthony P. Alagna, Agent
OK Kemp-Muscle Hill-Distaff-M-T-$160,000-Let It Ride Stables Inc.
Curious De Vie-Credit Winner-So You De Vie-H-T-$160,000-Robert Bergh
Nicholas Beach-Somebeachsomewhere-Michelle My Gal-M-P-$150,000-Joe Holloway Stable LLC
Hollywood Hanover-Cantab Hall-Hotentrot Hanover-H-T-$150,000-Richard Gutnick, Agent
Charlie Hill-Kadabra-Andover The Top-H-T-$150,000-Vic Hayter
Ultimate Shopper-Yankee Glide-Adelaide Hall-M-T-$140,000-ACL Stuteri Ab
Nomomercy Bluechip-American Ideal-Mercy Mercy Mercy-M-P-$135,000-John Cancelliere
Rocks On The Beach-Somebeachsomewhere-Don’tknocktherock-H-P-$125,000-Fashion Farms LLC
One For The Beach-Somebeachsomewhere-Ready To Rocknroll-M-P-$125,000-Nancy Johansson, Agent for Robert Lindstrom

Session 2
Group-Number Sold-Total Price-Average Price-Top Price-Median-$100,000+
Pacing Colts-41-$2,052,000-$50,049-$170,000-$47,000-7
Pacing Fillies-33-$1,963,000-$59,485-$150,000-$50,000-5
Trotting Colts-42-$2,370,000-$56,429-$160,000-$50,000-5
Trotting Fillies-41-$2,448,000-$59,707-$180,000-$52,000-6
Total-157-$8,833,000-$56,261-$180,000-$50,000-23

Sale through 2 sessions
Group-Number Sold-Total Price-Average Price-Top Price-Median-$100,000+
Pacing Colts-62-$3,684,000-$59,419-$170,000-$52,500-13
Pacing Fillies-60-$4,834,000-$80,567-$325,000-$65,000-17
Trotting Colts-73-$6,127,000-$83,932-$400,000-$65,000-18
Trotting Fillies-59-$4,369,000-$74,051-$400,000-$57,000-14
Total-254-$19,014,000-$74,858-$400,000-$60,000-62