Ohio Selected Jug Sale attains second highest gross ever

CIRCLEVILLE, OH. – The Ohio Selected Jug Sale enjoyed another robust session of active bidding, which led to the second highest gross in the sale’s history.

The loftiest price for a yearling sold was by Rose Run Farm’s Hip# 208, Rose Run Butler for $140,000.  A sharp colt by top sire Downbytheseaside, he was purchased by Dana Parham’s Odds On Racing.

Elated over their first ever sale-topping yearling, Rose Run Farm owner Arch Yoder was quick to credit is right-hand man Marlin Miller with the striking appearance and excellent condition that his yearlings are known for.

“I have trainers from all over Ohio tell me to ‘make sure I keep Marlin around.’  He does a great job prepping our yearlings,” Yoder noted.  “We have a nice sized crew for the sale, but back home it’s just me and Marlin doing all the work.”

Ohio Harness Horse Breeders president Senena Esty was pleased with the sale overall, and how her consignment was accepted by the buyers.

“We had a great sale, which was well attended and the crowd stayed strong through to the end.  All the consignors that I have spoken to were happy with the results,” Esty stated.

“With all eyes on the Delaware County Fair and the Little Brown Jug this week, the strength of our Buckeye State program will be on full display as 90 percent of the races are filled with Ohio breds.  It really is our time to shine, nationwide.”

Overall the gross sales totaled $8,010,500 for 269 yearlings sold, resulting in an average of $29,779 per horse.  This was a slight 3 percent decrease from last year’s record-setting auction, but was up 10 percent on gross and 6 percent on average over the 2022 auction.  The median was $23,000.

The sale is conducted by the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale Company, and general manager Bruce Brinkerhoff was very satisfied with the strength of the sale, and noted, “It’s the second highest gross in the 30-plus year history of the sale, and the second time we grossed over eight million.  The Ohio breeders and consignors have continued to improve their products and it has shown in the auction ring and out on the racetrack.”

Looking at the numbers more closely, for the fourth consecutive year the highest average price for all pacing sires was garnered by Downbytheseaside at $51,560 for 25 sold.

The highest priced pacing filly came from Midland Acres, who also stands first crop sire Summa Cum Laude.  His daughter, Hip# 53 Im’a Sight To See, brought $130,000 from purchaser Jeff Berger.   Summa Cum Laude led all sires in gross sales with $1.47 million for 52 sold resulting in an average of $28,327.  Pacing fillies led the divisional averages with $31,133 for 60 sold.

First crop sire In Range led the trotting ranks (for stallions with more than five sold) with an average of $39,760 for 25 sold.

The highest priced trotter in the auction was Hip#180 Buckeye Triumphs, a Triumphant Caviar colt consigned by Double Spring Farm, who was purchased by Chris Beaver for $120,000.

An In Range filly topped the trotting distaff section with Hip#66 Jelta bringing $110,000.  The half-sister to World Champion Jet Hill was consigned by Trackside Farm and Martz Creek.

Midland Acres topped the consignor gross sales category with $1,291,000 in total for 51 sold.  They were followed by Hickory Lane Farm with $1,047,000 (26) and Spring Haven Farm with $1,008,000 (36).

Rose Run Farm led the consignor average category at $47,412 for 17 sold.  Weaver Standardbred Farm was second in consignor average (with more than five sold) with $42,286 for 14 sold, followed by Hickory Lane Farm at $40,269 for 26 sold.

Complete results, sales summaries and other important auction data is available on the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale website: Click here.

by Chris Tully for the Ohio Harness Horse Breeders