Silas Seelster fetched the highest price during the opening session of the 2017 London Selected Yearling Sale.
Selling as Hip #60, pacing colt Silas Seelster sold for $150,000 to Dr. Ian Moore. Silas Seelster (Shadow Play – Smilesplace) is a half-brother to speedy Soiree Seelster p, 2, 1:52.2s -’16 ($237,882).
In front of a capacity crowd at the Metroland Media Agriplex, a total of 114 yearlings sold during the first session for gross sales of $2,484,500. The average for the first day came in at $21,793.
“Very happy, great crowd. People seemed encouraged with everything,” said co-manager Heather Reid of Standardbred Canada. “I think the prices were very good and hopefully that continues tomorrow.”
Co-manager Ann Straatman of Forest City Yearling Sales echoed Reid’s sentiments.
“I think we had a great start; we had a strong crowd, an active crowd, an enthusiastic crowd so I’m happy with how we’ve started out.”
Straatman sees no indication that the trends and atmosphere will change heading into Sunday.
“I think lots of people were underbidders that didn’t get the horse they wanted and they’re still going to be looking. We have a strong day on Day Two, the horses are not seeded so we have equal quality on both days, and we have more horses to sell tomorrow so I’m excited for Sunday’s session.”
With a number of new stallions offering first crops either in Ontario or ever, Straatman was pleased with the reception those sires received from the harness racing community.
“I thought the Sunshine Beaches sold well, I thought the Royalty For Lifes were well received, the Archangels and the E L Titans, I thought they were well received so there’s a lot to be hopeful for.”
To view the full results from the first session of the London Selected Yearling Sale, click the following link: 2017 London Selected Yearling Sale Results – Day One.
Mohawk Seelster fetched the highest price of the second session of the London Selected Yearling Sale as the inaugural two-day sale concluded in London, Ont. on Sunday (October 15).
Mohawk Seelster sold for $220,000 to Millar Farms of Stouffville, Ont. A son of Sportswriter – Macapelo Rose, Mohawk Seelster is a half-brother to speedy pacing mare Mayhem Seelster p, 2, 1:53s, 3, 1:51.3s -’16 ($392,395).
“It was the place to be this weekend,” said Standardbred Canada’s Heather Reid, co-manager of the London Selected Yearling Sale. “Wonderful sale, the crowds were great and consistent throughout the weekend. With the way the industry has been the last couple of years I was glad to see a horse sell for more than $200,000.”
Reid believes that the $220,000 price tag is a record price for a Standardbred yearling sold in Canada.
“He’s been a standout since he was a young colt,” Seelster Farms’ Ann Straatman told Trot Insider. “So intelligent, just perfect conformation, great pedigree to go along with it. We knew he was special but we didn’t think he’d bring that amount of money…we expected maybe $100,000 for him but a lot of people waited for him.
“I think that’s fantastic that you can sell high-priced horses in Ontario.”
The second day featured 192 yearlings, with total sales of $5,051,500 and an average of $26,309.
Overall, 306 yearlings passed through the sales ring at the inaugural London Selected Yearling Sale. Gross sales surpassed $7.5 million at $7,536,000, providing a sale average of $24,627.
Speaking as the co-manager of the sale, Straatman was elated with the overall sale results.
“I’m thrilled with how things have turned out today, beyond our expectations. We thought about a $23,000 average — which was the combined average of the two great sales last year. And to exceed that is beyond expectations.
“I think the format was great, the auctioneers and the ringmen were superb, everything ran very smooth today. I’m thrilled with how things have worked out.”
Straatman feels the sale’s strength speaks to both the quality of the horses entered as well as the demand for Ontario Sired product.
“People recognize the strength of the Ontario Sires Stakes program and they showed that; they paid some top dollar for some really nice horses. I think that speaks volumes for what we have here in Ontario.
“I think this sale, this venue, having all the horses together under one roof…I thought everyone was very enthusiastic about this combination.”
Average-wise, trotting and pacing colts boasted a higher average than their female counterparts. Pacing colts (115 sold) averaged $26,978, while pacing fillies (100 sold) brought an average of $21,645. The 51 trotting colts sold averaged $27,480 while trotting fillies (40 sold) provided an average of $21,687.
To view results from the second session of the London Selected Yearling Sale, click the following link: 2017 London Selected Yearling Sale Results – Day Two.
(Standardbred Canada)
