Downbytheseaside offspring dominant at Ohio sale

CIRCLEVILLE, OH. – The Ohio Selected Jug Yearling Sale enjoyed an 11% increase in overall average and a similar 11% increase in gross sales from last year’s record breaking harness racing auction, for the same number of horses sold.

For 273 yearlings auctioned, the gross sales were $7,538,00 for an average of $27,612 per Standardbred yearling.

Held on Friday, September 17 at the beautiful Pickaway Agriculture and Event Center in Circleville, Ohio, all the top Buckeye owners and trainers were on hand, or bidding electronically, to take advantage of the lucrative Ohio Sire Stakes program.

Buoyed by Diamond Creek’s pacing sire Downbytheseaside, who was a dominant force on the racetrack this season, the son of Somebeachsomewhere also lit up the bid board throughout the day.

A record price of $200,000 for a yearling sold in the state of Ohio was set by Hip # 139, Elusive Beauty, who was a Downbytheseaside half-sister to 2020 Little Brown Jug winner Captain Barbossa p,4,1:47.1-’21 ($561,120).  Purchased by Dana Parham’s Odds On Racing, Boca Raton, FL, she was bred, consigned and sold by Steiner Stock Farm, Lima, OH.

Joe McClead, who stands the stallion Downbytheseaside at his Delaware, Ohio nursery Sugar Valley Farms, stated, “All the cards were right, not only for the sale topper, but to bring a horse like this into Ohio, and have the confidence of the breeders, is a great testament to the program.”

Sons and daughters of Downbytheseaside dominated the sales ring today, fetching an average price of $53,674 for gross sales of $2.3 million with 43 individuals sold.

“It’s a great thing for Ohio and it’s a lot of fun to be a part of it,” McLead concluded.  “But it’s not just Downbytheseaside, there is a lot of excitement everywhere.  You have got to be a part of it.  It’s not easy to make a living in this business.  But, in Ohio you have more opportunity, and that is what makes it the Great State of Ohio!”

The highest priced trotting yearling sold was Hip# 126, Rose Run Yorick, a gorgeous What The Hill colt from a full sister to Crazed 3,1:52.2 ($1,063,059), which was hammered down to Hatfield Stables, Columbus, Ohio for $160,000.  Bred, consigned and sold by Rose Run Farm, it was the first time that nursery had broken the six-figure mark.

“As a young man I went to an auction and I saw them sell a yearling for $100,000, and I said, ‘that’s what I want to do.’  I kept working, and kept working and it finally came true,” recalled Rose Run Farm manager Archie Yoder.

“I have been trying to do this for thirty years.  We finally had the right horse on the right day…he was a beautiful horse, and stood well.  They looked him over, he was perfect and ultimately two people wanted him.  Then, it’s hard to tell where they may end up at.”

The top average of trotting sires with seven or more entered was Creatine that accounted for 9 sold and an average of $32,222.  Next was Midland Acres’ Long Tom who presented 29 yearlings for an average of $27,034.  Uncle Peter and What The Hill from Hickory Lane Farm had 14 for $25,429 and 49 for $23,571, respectively.

Dublin Valley Farms’ first crop sire Enterprise, a son of Chapter Seven, had a solid first day, with 23 sold for an average of $23,304, including two sold for around $50,000.

On the pacing side, with 7 or more sold: McArdle (7/$22,571); Yankee Cruiser (10/$20,800); Racing Hill (8/$19,875); Fear The Dragon (42/$17,500); Well Said (8/$15,875) & Pet Rock (7/$10,000).

For complete sales results, click here.

by Chris Tully