by James Platz

Hoosier Classic Yearling Sale Company played host to the ninth edition of the Buckeye Classic sale Tuesday (Oct. 10) at the Champions Center Expo in Springfield, OH. With 236 yearlings cataloged, the sale saw increases in gross, average and median compared to 2022 business levels. A pair of Ohio-sired trotting fillies topped the session, each selling for $50,000.

“The Buckeye Classic has steadily evolved into the type of sale we envisioned nearly 10 years ago,” said sale manager Steve Cross. “Consignors have found the Classic a great place to market those yearlings that may be lost in a select sale but shine in another venue. They are realizing the importance of placing a yearling where they can best maximize the value of their stock. In turn, buyers are finding the timing of the Buckeye Classic to be perfect in the sale season. Stables with openings after the select sales have found promising youngsters by top sires still available.”

Of the yearlings cataloged, 227 passed through the ring Tuesday generating $2.69 million in gross sales and an average of $11,872, a 6.69 per cent increase. Last year, 231 yearlings sold for $2.57 million while averaging $11,127. The median increased from $8,000 in 2022 to $9,500 this year.

Trotters occupied the top eight spots on the sale sheet, with multiple sires represented. Rose Run Ashton, an Uncle Peter filly consigned by Rose Run Farm, brought $50,000. Cataloged as Hip #29, the yearling is the first foal from Dejarmbro mare Rose Run Value, a sibling to eight winners including the red-hot Rose Run Yanae 3, 1:54h -’23 ($393,288). Pam Young signed the ticket for the filly.

Long Tom filly Little Miss Jo, consigned as agent by Dublin Valley Farm, also was hammered down for $50,000. Selling near the back of the catalog as Hip #225, the baby is a full-sister to Ohio Sires Stakes final winner and Mohawk Million runner-up Tennessee Tom 2, 1:55.1f -’23 ($456,350). Allen Miller purchased the filly.

What The Hill gelding Hill Of A Cowboy, Hip #132, brought a $48,000 final bid. Purchased by Melvin Schmucker, the yearling is the fourth foal from $800,000 winning Cash Hall mare Cowgirl Hall. Hill Of A Cowboy was offered as an agent yearling in the Spurwood Farm consignment.

Volstead filly Valotte, Hip #156, sold for $44,000, purchased by Joyce McClelland and Larry Wills. Also from the Dublin Valley Farm consignment, the filly is a sibling to four winners. Her family includes millionaire and multiple Dan Patch award winner Syrinx Hanover.

Dublin Valley led all consignors in gross sales, with 47 yearlings yielding $665,000, good for an average of $14,149. Rose Run Farm topped the sale by average. The consignor offered seven babies that grossed $145,000 and averaged $20,714.

With five of 20 progeny bringing $25,000 or more, Long Tom yearlings were in high demand, grossing $398,500 and averaging $19,925. What The Hill babies (14) averaged $14,857 and Uncle Peter offspring (13) averaged $16,500, while Marseille’s first offering (21) produced an average of $12,976. On the pacing side, offspring from Catch The Fire’s first crop (5) averaged $18,900 followed by Pet Rock (4 for $17,000), Racing Hill (5 for $16,000), Well Said (11 for $12,500) and Fear The Dragon (9 for $12,389).

LeVan Stables were the most active buyers on the day, signing nine tickets totaling $99,500. The most expensive was What The Hill colt Midwind Tryagain, Hip #204, consigned by Spurwood Farm and purchased for $17,000. Rosy Weaver purchased eight yearlings totaling $165,000. Her top purchase was Triumphant Caviar filly Eckert Hill Addie, which sold for $25,000 out of the Rose Run Farm consignment. Wayne Mast, Jr. ($132,500) and Bret Schwartz ($64,000) each signed the slips on seven yearlings.