The Carter Sales Co.’s OKC September Sale average jumped 50 percent, setting a record increase in average and median sale prices and the lowest buy back rate in the sale’s history. The sale was held September 1 at the OKC State Fairgrounds Sales Arena.
The average sale price was $10,858 and the $7,500 median nearly doubled the $4,500 median in 2018. The 19 percent buy back was the lowest to date.
The sale’s top seller at $30,000 was Hip 19. The colt by Pollard’s Vision out of Kip Seville, sister to multiple Champion and Horse of the Year Kip Deville ($3.1 million), was consigned by Mighty Acres for Center Hills Farm. Lee Young of Oklahoma City signed the ticket for Young Stables, LLC.
Hip 17, a filly by Graydar out of the Ghost Zapper mare Heavenly Ghost, commanded the second high price at $27,000. Mark Hixon was agent for signed John Barger of Grand Prairie, Texas. The filly was consigned by Buena Madera.
While the sale posted records in most categories, the number of horses offered was the smallest in the sale’s 13-year history. The 42 yearlings offered represented a 46 percent drop from 78 in 2018.
“The number offered and the incredible purses for racing produced the highest median in our sale’s history. But in an industry where sales are contracting across the board, we have reason to be concerned,” said Sales Manager Terri Carter. “With two equine veterinarians in the family, we see many other types of horse sales with similar declining numbers, but we also see disciplines with recent increases.
“Like any business, we have a responsibility to fix our problems, then use our many resources to share our love for horses and the industry. It is just too easy be negative and that drives people away,” she added. “I am a big believer that attitude is everything and the attitude and atmosphere at the sale, along with the record increases told me we are headed in the right direction.”
The mixed session sold four of six mares for an average of $1,460 and a buy back rate of 33 percent.