By J.N. Campbell
At 271 head, one of the largest catalogs in its history, the Texas Thoroughbred Association's (TTA) single-session Yearling Sale will be held Monday, Aug. 28 at 10 a.m. (CT) at Lone Star Park Sales Pavilion.
The 2022 edition, which reported a buy-back rate of 24%, saw 161 yearlings out of 211 sell for a total of $3,416,000–up almost 6% from the previous year when 177 out of 228 grossed $3,229,600. Growth was also seen in last year's average of $21,217, an increase from $18,246 in 2021, while the median was $13,500, up from $10,000 the year prior.
Based on current trends, Mary Ruyle, the Executive Director of the TTA, is banking on the Texas racing and sales landscape continuing to blossom.
“The Texas Thoroughbred Association is very optimistic–particularly given the strong catalog for the upcoming Yearling Sale which includes what is likely the best group of Texas-bred yearlings offered,” Ruyle said. “Every horse that passes through the ring at this sale will be eligible for the $150,000 Texas Thoroughbred Association Futurity at Lone Star Park in 2024 and either the $100,000 Derby or Oaks at Sam Houston Race Park in 2025. The Derby and Oaks were run for the first time this year and were very well received.”
First made available in 2020, funds from the Horse Industry Escrow Account have been used to increase purses in Texas and provide additional Accredited Texas-Bred incentive awards to breeders, owners and trainers.
“We expect to have a good crowd in attendance and we will again have online bidding available for approved buyers. A break from our never-ending heat wave would be most appreciated,” said Ruyle.
For the second year in a row, Highlander Training Center, a state-of-the-art facility just south of Sulphur Springs outside of Dallas, Texas, is represented at the sale. This year's draft is made up of 36 yearlings, stabled in Barn E3 at Lone Star.
“We had the $100,000 sales topper last year with Too Much Kiki [Too Much Bling] who ended up winning a stakes this past season at Lone Star,” said Highlander CEO, Jeff Hooper. “Foster Bridewell, who coordinates and runs the sale for the TTA, has been able to really bring in a good mix of buyers and we saw several top pinhookers from Ocala, plus some others from around the country, at this sale.”
Out of the Highlander consignment, Hooper said that hip 149, a Louisiana-bred colt by Unified out of Mirabeau (Bind), will be among those to watch.
“He's the first foal out of a very fast young stakes-winning mare,” said Hooper. “He has a lot a class and walks like a panther. I think he will be very popular with both pinhookers, as well as people looking to buy to race.”
Click here to access the TTA website and the online catalog.
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