$595,000 for broodmare at Harrisburg

Harrisburg, PA — What A Knockout packed the biggest punch in Thursday’s first session of the Standardbred Horse Sale’s Mixed Sale, with the 6-year-old broodmare selling for $595,000 to Hanover Shoe Farms. She was one of five broodmares, all trotters, purchased for at least $200,000 during the afternoon.

What A Knockout, a daughter of Donato Hanover-Southwind Sofia owned previously by Herb Liverman, was sold in foal to Muscle Hill. She was consigned by Peninsula Farm. Her first foal, a Muscle Hill filly named The Lady’s A Ten, sold for $100,000 at October’s Lexington Selected Yearling Sale. Her family includes Southwind Serena, the dam of multiple Dan Patch Award-winner Mission Brief and Grand Circuit-winning stallion Tactical Landing.

The second-highest seller was 7-year-old Jolie De Vie, who was purchased in foal to Walner for $425,000 by Steve Stewart. The mare’s first two foals, Jack Fire and Lilbitalexis, are Grand Circuit winners, with Lilbitalexis recently winning a Breeders Crown elimination and finishing fifth in the final. Jolie De Vie (Muscle Hill-Dream Angel) was consigned by Preferred Equine Marketing and owned previously by Keith Clark, Jeffery Ruch, and Daniel Phillips.

France’s Jean-Pierre Barjon purchased the next two highest-priced mares, Graceful Lady for $360,000 and Maven for $285,000.

Four-year-old Graceful Lady (Father Patrick–Queen Of Grace) was sold in foal to Muscle Hill and is a three-quarter sister to 2014 Hambletonian Oaks winner Lifetime Pursuit. She was owned previously by Jeff Snyder and Four Friends Racing Stable. She was consigned by Preferred Equine.

Twelve-year-old Maven (Glidemaster-M Stewart) was a Dan Patch Award winner who earned more than $2 million lifetime. She was sold in foal to Tactical Landing. Her offspring include 2-year-old Pretender, a Grand Circuit winner who is the 3-1 morning-line second choice in Saturday’s Kindergarten Classic Series final for 2-year-old male trotters. She was owned previously by John Fielding, Herb Liverman, and Joyce McClelland. She was consigned by Peninsula Farm.

Completing the top five Thursday was 7-year-old Vita Bella Bi (Donato Hanover-Crysta’s Image), who was purchased for $200,000 by Lynda Stewart. She was sold in foal to Bar Hopping. She was owned previously by M Biasuzzi Stable and consigned by Hunterton Sales Agency. Her first foal, the Muscle Hill colt Excalibur Bi, sold for $210,000 at October’s Lexington Selected Yearling Sale.

The first session of the mixed sale grossed $13.5 million and averaged $44,330 for 306 horses, including stallion shares. Last year’s entire mixed sale grossed $12.8 million and averaged $28,798 for 446 horses.

Friday’s final session of the Standardbred Horse Sale begins at 10 a.m. (EST).

For complete results, click here.

by Ken Weingartner, for the USTA