by David Carr, Research Manager, USTA

Lexington, KY — It may have been the second session of the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale on Thursday night, October 4, but there was an opening night atmosphere, and prices to match.

Prices held together well following an outstanding opening night. In fact, the overall sale topper at $350,000 passed through the ring in Thursday’s session, and the number of yearlings selling for at least $100,000, 30, surpassed the count of six-figure yearlings sold in last year’s excellent opening session.

In all, 142 yearlings sold for an average price of $68,915 on Thursday. So, it was a fabulous night.

Or, perhaps it was a Cantabulous night. The eagerly anticipated first crop sire Cantab Hall was responsible for the sale topper and five of the seven highest-priced horses on Thursday, each selling for more than $140,000. For the session, his 13 yearlings averaged prices exceeding $120,000. Andover Hall may be the reigning king of trotting sires, but these yearling buyers are expecting Cantab Hall to be a major contender for the throne.

Although Andover Hall had a huge impact on the Lexington Selected Sale in 2006, he has far fewer yearlings cataloged this year. Into the void have trotted impressive first crop sires; in addition to Cantab Hall, Windsong’s Legacy, Kadabra, Revenue S, and Tom Ridge can boast having yearlings sell for at least $100,000 in Lexington.

High price honors for the sale belong to Mr Cantab, a colt by Cantab Hall out of Miss Marita. This mare produced two-time divisional Horse of the Year Passionate Glide, as well as major multi-stakes winners Marita’s Victory and Mr Vic. Erv Miller, acting as agent for John Carver, cast the winning bid of $350,000 for this Brittany Farms-bred youngster.

The only pacer to crack the top seven highest priced yearlings in the session was next in line. Proving that first crop stallions are popular among pacers as well, Western Terror sired World Away, a colt out of World’s Sweetheart, the dam of current 4-year-old pacing powerhouse Mister Big, was sold for $180,000. Carl Jamieson will be taking the Kentuckiana-bred colt back to Ontario.

Conway Hall was the only sire currently having foals racing to have a yearling among the top seven in Thursday’s session. He sired Dream Buy, a filly from a maternal line that has produced some outstanding fillies, such as Forever Starlet, Crown Starlet, and My Dolly. Adam Victor and Blue Chip Bloodstock joined forces to acquire this promising lass for $175,000.

Acting as agent, Myron Bell made successful bids for a pair of Cantab Hall yearlings raised by Lindy Farms. The colt Lindy’s Dynasty is the first foal out of an unraced sister to Bit O Candy, selling for $170,000. The filly Some Like It Lindy, going for a bid of $160,000, is out of a daughter of the aforementioned My Dolly.

Also selling for $160,000 was Waverider Hanover, by Cantab Hall, out of $200,000-winning mare Water Star. Ira Kristel selected this yearling from the Hanover Shoe Farms consignment.

Cantab Hall appeared on the leader board again with the colt Copy Catch, out of a half sister to two-time Horse of the Year Moni Maker. Adam Victor selected this youngster from the Cane Run Farm consignment, on behalf of Scuderia Bivan, for $145,000.

Here are the session and overall statistics for the Lexington Selected Sale, which continues through Sunday: