Resilience at CTHS Ontario Yearling Sale; Local 2021 Prospects

TALE OF THE TAPE – 2020 CTHS ONTARIO YEARLING SALE

2020 ————————————2019

Gross $2,831,300 $3,381,400

Sold 142 157

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Not Sold 55 88

Average $19,939 21,538

Median $14,500 13,000

TOP PRICES

$90,000 – Ch.c. by Old Forester – Holidaysatthefarm by Smarty Jones. Consigned by Cara Bloodstock (Bernard McCormack), agent – Purchased by John DiScola

$82,000 – B.f. Mr. Speaker- She Stands Proud by Proud Citizen. Consigned by Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales Agency, agent – Purchased by Jim Menzies

$82,000 – LANGSTAFF ROAD, ch.c. by Langfuhr – Sweet Bama Breeze by City Zip. Consigned by Hill ‘n’ Dale sales Agency, agent – Purchased by Derek Chin

$80,000 – B.f. by Silent Name (Jpn) – Sweet Crimson by Langfuhr. Consigned by Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales Agency, agent – Purchased by Stuart Simon, agent for Bill and Anne Scott

$72,000 – B.c. by Midnight Lute – Simply Precious by Ascot Knight. Consigned by Huntington Stud Farm Corp., Agent – Purchased by Thomas Uniacke

$68,000 – Gr./Ro. f. f. by Lea – Deep Blue Sea by Midshipman. Consigned by Richard Hogan, agent for Debra Ehrat – Purchased by Mary Ellen Biamonte

$60,000 – Dk.b.c. by Point of Entry – Jesters Jazz by Mr. Jester. Consigned by Susan Y. Foreman, agent – Purchased by JDLP Holdings Inc.

$55,000 – ABSOLUTE JEWEL, b.f. by Society’s Chairman – Retail by Bluegrass Cat. Consigned by Shannondoe Farm, agent V – Purchased by Rocco d’Alimonte and Frank Annechini

$55,000 – Dk.b.c. by Silent Name (Jpn) – El Tara by Schossberg. Consigned by Hill ‘n’ Dale Agency, agent – Purchased by Discovery Racing

$52,000 – B.c. by English Channel – Cabriole by Flatter. Consigned by Northern Dawn Stables (Sherry McLean), agent – Purchased by Dan Vella, agent for Ray Burke, Sea Glass LLC

$50,000 – Dk.b.f. by Silent Name (Jpn) – Strike Twice by More Than Ready. Consigned by Woodlands Farm (Gail Wood), agent) – Purchased by Trinity Racing Stable

$50,000 – Ch.f. by War Correspondent – Ennis Lady by Speightstown. Consigned by Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales Agency – Purchased by Michael DePaulo, agent for John Russell

In an unprecedented year, a difficult year, the annual Canadian Premier Yearling Sale from the CTHS Ontario went forward Sept. 2, restricted by COVID-19 protocols. The basic numbers say the yearling average dipped below $20,000 but higher than the 2018 average of $18,532. (The 2019 average of just over $21,000 was skewed a bit by the sale of a couple of high-priced yearlings who essentially went back to their breeders.)

But racing has gone on in 2020, albeit with a shortened season, and the rich purses for maiden races and a still-strong Ontario bred/sired program has kept hopes high for breeders and owners.

Median price for the sale was up to $14,500 from $13,000 and quite a few more youngsters sold for $50,000 or more compared to the last couple of years.

The top 12 priced yearlings were purchased by 12 different buyers from seven different consignors. The buyers were predominantly the usual faces including a return to the ring by Danny Dion’s BEAR STABLES, and JIM MENZIES of Piano Bar Stable.

Dave Whitford of Whitford Bloodstock in Milton, ON sold the sales topper, a flashy chestnut colt by longtime leading Ontario sire Old Forester from the stakes placed mare Holidaysatthefarm (Smarty Jones). Whitford, farm manager for Sam-Son Farms, purchased the mare in foal to Kantharos in 2017 for $25,000. Her first yearling for Whitford sold for $15,000 in 2018.

This year’s youngster brought $90,000 from John DiScola of the DiScola Brothers, who race horses with trainer Josie Carroll. The top yearling was hip no. 15, early in the sale that began at 12 noon.

DiScola also purchased a filly by Ami’s Holiday for $32,000 out of the Grand Reward mare You’ve Been Played, bred by Katie Browne and Brian Bell and sold by Susan Foreman, agent.

The three 3 yearlings from perhaps the last yearling crop to sell a auction from the late Gus Schickedanz took the next three spots on the top prices list including the $82,000 highest priced filly.

The Mr. Speaker gal, consigned by Glen Sikura’s Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales Agency, agent was bought for $82,000 by Menzies, whose stable had so much success with one of its first purchases, multiple stakes winner Red Cabernet.

Menzies also signed tickets on a Perfect Soul – Yes She’s a Lady colt for $17,000 and a Perfect Timber filly for $5,000.

More local owners who bought several yearlings included Mary Ellen Biamonte, who paid $68,000 for a Lea filly from Richard Hogan as agent for Debra Ehrat, an $18,000 Summer Front filly, a $25,000 Mucho Macho Man filly with M. Tekbas and a $16,000 Frac Daddy filly.

Tucci Stables, Robert Tiller, Mike Depaulo, Dan Vella, John Ross, John Mattine, Roger Attfield, Laura Krasuskaite, Gail Cox, Bill Tharreno and Julia Carey were among the local trainers and owners who were busy.. Vella purchased a couple of the relatively new Sea Glass LLC, Ray Burke including a $52,000 English Channel colt.

Al and Bill Ulwelling purchased a pair and the father-and-son team from Minnesota continue to be strong supporters of the Ontario racing program. One of their purchases was an attractive colt by Society’s Chairman for $44,000.