Equine Sales Company held its annual Open Yearling and Mixed Sale on Sunday in Opelousas, Louisiana, and the auction posted enormous gains in average and gross compared to last year. This year’s auction featured an offering of 122 head, compared to 176 last year.
All told, 92 horses sold this year for $579,900 with an average of $6,303. Last year, 98 head sold for a gross of $232,700 and average of $2,374. This year’s auction posted a gain in average of 165.5%, while the gross jumped 149.2%. The buy-back rate also improved significantly, coming in at 24.6% compared to 44.3% last year.
“Obviously a smaller catalogue helped to boost the average, but the fact that the gross more than doubled with a smaller offering this year speaks volumes about the quality of bloodstock at the sale,” said Sales Director Foster Bridewell. “We appreciate the support of all the consignors who have helped this sale grow, and it was gratifying to see so many buyers with money to spend.”
While the highest price at last year’s auction was $17,000, a total of five horses—all broodmares—eclipsed that mark this year. Topping the sale at $32,000 was Diva from Dixie, a 5-year-old daughter of Dixieland Band in foal to Tale of the Cat. Steve Holliday purchased the mare from the consignment of Energy Solutions Consultants LLC.
Energy Solutions Consultants also consigned the highest-priced yearling, a Louisiana-bred colt from the first crop of Paddy O’Prado. Named Mesidandmrpete, the bay sold for $15,000 to Trackside Farm.
Scoring a trifecta of sorts, Energy Solutions Consultants consigned the top-selling weanling, a Louisiana-bred filly by Half Ours who sold for $11,000 to Bonangles Stables.
Two horses of racing age hit the $20,000 mark in the bidding but were bought back.
For hip-by-hip results, go to equinesalesofla.com.