by Jerry Connors, the Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission

Harrisburg, PA — The saying goes “Records are made to be broken,” and those words were certainly in effect at the Standardbred Horse Sales Company’s six-day sale at the Farm Show Complex last week.

New standards were set for total amount of transactions ($70,257,000 for 2,033 horses), yearlings ($42,165,000), and the “mixed” sale ($28,040,500).

The top yearling sold was Bedtime Song, a half sister to champion filly Pampered Princess who brought $360,000. The top seller in the mixed session was Mystical Sunshine, likely to be named 2007 Trotting Mare of the Year and with a bright broodmare career in front of her, who drew a bid of $525,000.

“We are very pleased that the Standardbred Horse Sale has had another record-breaking year,” said Anton J. Leppler, executive secretary of the Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission. “The large amount of money buying Standardbred racehorses is a sign of the current excellent climate for racing and breeding of horses, especially in Pennsylvania, where our Sire Stakes program will go up to $10 million next year, and the new Breeders Fund will distribute $5 million, not to mention the acceleration that overnight purses have received.

“Away from the sales arena, the sale is also a winner in terms of Pennsylvania’s economy, with hundreds of buyers coming to Harrisburg, staying at local hotels, and eating at local establishments. The Farm Show Complex, which is a part of our Department of Agriculture, also obviously does brisk business, with rentals, concession sales, and ancillary benefits.”