by James Platz

Hoosier Classic Sale Company LLC conducted its annual Buckeye Classic Yearling Sale Tuesday (Oct. 8), at the Champions Center Expo in Springfield, OH. Now in its 10th year, the 2024 Buckeye Classic catalog was the largest ever, with 361 yearlings consigned. During the marathon session, a total of 339 babies passed through the ring for gross sales of $3.99 million, a record for the sale, while averaging $8,821. Last year, 227 yearlings brought just shy of $2.7 million and averaged $11,872.

Trotters occupied the top of the sales sheets led by a pair from first crop sire In Range. Neigh Brr Lady, cataloged as Hip #181, topped the session with a $41,000 bid. Consigned as agent by LMN Bred Stables, the filly is out of Cantab Hall mare Lady Bella, who has already produced three winners. The dam is a sister to five six-figure earners. Stacey Nisonger signed the ticket on behalf of Nisonger Stable.

Colt Mile Range, Hip #135, was next on the sheet, bringing $40,000. An agent horse from the Dublin Valley Farm consignment, the colt is the third foal from Yankee Glide mare Glide Onin Sabrina. The dam is a sibling to seven other winners including $300,000 winner Hes A Demon. Brent Davis signed the ticket acting as agent.

Ready For Sunshine, a colt by Ready For Moni, was next in the results, selling for $38,000. Also from the Dublin Valley consignment, the brown colt is the second foal from Cantab Hall mare A Ray Of Sunshine, sister to Hambletonian Oaks runner-up Lady Rainbow. Cataloged as Hip #8, Ready For Sunshine was bought by Dalten Walls, signing as agent.

A group of 33 babies from the first crop of In Range sold Tuesday for a gross of $472,500, good for an average of $14,318. Ten from the sire sold for $20,000 or more. Ready For Moni was represented by 18 yearlings that grossed $249,000 and averaged $13,833.

Parading Fire was the top pacer sold at Tuesday’s Buckeye Classic. The bay colt, Hip #144 in the catalog, was part of the Winterwood Farm consignment, hammered down for $37,000. From Royal Mattjesty mare Gracie’s Parade, the Catch The Fire colt is a sibling to $100,000 earning freshman Downbytheparade and nine-time winning sophomore Hardfoneguy. The colt was purchased by Nisonger Stable.

Catch The Fire colt Ultimate Catch also topped $30,000 Tuesday, sold for $34,000. Consigned by Edgemoor Farm LLC as Hip #344, he is the first foal from McArdle mare Ultimate Thrill, full-sister to top Ohio pacer McThriller p, 1:49 ($480,522) and Normans Madeline p, 1:51.2 ($326,192). Wayne Mast, Jr. purchased the yearling.

A total of 16 babies sired by Catch The Fire passed through the ring, bringing $175,000. The group averaged $10,938.

Four yearlings sired by Downbytheseaside were offered at the Buckeye Classic. Naughty At The Sea, Hip #234, led the group with a $30,000 final bid. From the $700,000 winner Naughtytiltheend, the Ohio and Kentucky eligible filly is a sister to five winners. The second dam is millionaire Cam Swifty. Consigned by Wittmer Standardbreds, the filly was purchased by Brent Tartar. The quartet of yearlings averaged $17,750.

Zumma World topped the list of babies sired by Summa Cum Laude. The colt, cataloged as Hip #107, is from Western Ideal mare Show The World, already a producer of six winners from eight foals. Second dam is the great Worldly Beauty. Consigned as agent by Mervin Burkholder, the colt garnered a $32,000 final bid, purchased by the Nisonger Stable.

Dublin Valley Farm, the sale’s largest consignor with 45 horses sold, grossed $423,000. Edgemoor Farm led all consignors selling five or more yearlings in average. The Adamsville-based farm sold five babies for an average of $17,200.