by Kim French, USTA Internet News Editor

Columbus, OH — Swan For All offspring had those in attendance preparing to sign their name on the dotted line Friday, but Rockin Image demonstrated his sire power on the second day of the Hoosier Classic Yearling Sale in Indianapolis, Ind. on Saturday (Oct. 21). The stallion was responsible for two individuals that fetched $145,000 and $125,000, respectively, in Newport Party and Sunday Clothes. He and his trotting counterpart, Swan For All, were certainly the cornerstones of increasing the sales results to the tune of 17.4 percent compared to last year.

“I am so happy for Legacy Lane Farm,” said Steve Cross, sales manager. “It was especially rewarding to see Amy (Miller) be the person that worked with this yearling after the year she and her family have had to sell the sales topper.”

Newport Party, a daughter of Rockin Image and Hall of Fame inductee Fox Valley Monika, was bred by Miller’s father Duane. The filly went through the ring as Hip No. 236 and is a half sibling to Architect (Artiscape, $189,976), Glass Pack (Cole Muffler, $1,009,505), Doubletrouble (Richess Hanover, $704,754), Flowmaster (Cole Muffler, $132,788), and Our Dragon King (Dragon Again, $556,106). She is a full sister to Indiana champion Can’t Touch This ($422,864).

Last summer Amy Miller, whose family operates Legacy Lane Farm, was diagnosed with leukemia and the 2016 Hoosier Classic Sale conducted a fundraiser to provide funds that aided in paying her medical expenses.

“I cannot tell you how much this means to me,” Duane Miller said. “Last year Amy was in the hospital during this sale and it didn’t look good. This year she asked me if I wanted to take this filly in the ring because she was the last one in my consignment and I told her she needed to do it. She is in remission now and all four of my children were there, so we were all together to watch this filly. Everyone was clapping for her and it makes you feel light-footed for awhile after that; I’ve never had that happen before. But what really means more than any amount of money was Amy taking her in and my two youngest children being there from school. It was like this has all come full circle for us; just unbelievably special.”

Newport Party will now continue her career under the guidance of William De Long, whose family has also been influential for the sport within the boundaries of the Hoosier State. The De Longs have been responsible for several Indiana champions including this filly’s full sibling, Can’t Touch This and Breeders Crown entrant Seventimesavirgin, who was bred by Jesse De Long.

Jesse’s son John conditions Seventimeavirgin, Indiana’s 2016 Pacing Filly of the Year. John collected his 2,000th driving victory at the Anderson oval this summer.

Despite not having received quite as high a bid as Newport Beach, Sunday Clothes merited attention in his own right. Classified as Hip No. 296, the son of Rockin Image-Sara’s Lucky Charm was consigned by In Law Stables, who also presented Friday’s top priced trotting filly in Swans Miss Muffet ($87,000).

Purchased for $125,000 by Anthony Lombardi, Rocco Ruffulo and S&R Stable, Sunday Clothes is a half-brother to Beckhams Z Tam (Always A Virgin, $281,244), who is an Indiana champion, and Green Beans (Always A Virgin, $14,453) who just began racing this season.

“What is important to me is the consignors and buyers are happy,” Cross said. “We were fortunate the Breeders Crown eliminations are this weekend to bring some new faces that bought some of our horses. These are the people that will go on to Pennsylvania (Harrisburg) and reinvest. As long as we continue to improve our mares and our consignors work as hard as they do to prepare our yearlings, I cannot help but be pleased with the results our team has witnessed.”

The second day of the sale saw 173 yearlings sell for $3,181,000 with an average of $18,387 and median of $14,000. The two-day total grossed $6,932,000 with an average of $19,527 and a median of $15,000.

Swan For All sired 38 yearlings that brought $1,396,000 with an average of $36,717, while Rockin Image had 63 head sell for $1,874,500 with an average of $29,754.

For full sales results, please click here.