There was some old-time auction action at the 2016 Hastings Paddock Sale when 18 thoroughbreds of racing age were sold for a total of $150,000 at Hastings Racecourse Saturday afternoon.
With Paddock Sales Manager Mike Heads and track announcer Dan Jukich directing proceedings under brilliant sunshine from a stage on the tarmac at Hastings, two horses – Merlot and Color Me Gold – each attracted the highest prices at $30,000 CAD.
Merlot, a 4-year-old by Rosberg who finished third in the $50,000 Chris Loseth Handicap at Hastings last season, created the loudest buzz early into the Sale when prominent horse owner Peter Redekop and Richard Yates, manager of Hastings Racing Club Two, went head-to-head in a bidding frenzy.