SHAKOPEE, MN – Facing the dual challenges of an uncertain future purse structure and barn reconfiguration from the construction of the new 19,000 seat amphitheater, The Minnesota Thoroughbred Association held their annual yearling sale on Sunday, August 27 to mixed results.
The sale topper was hip number 31, a colt by Maximus Mischief out of Smarty Prance, consigned by Richard Bremer and Cheryl Sprick. John Mentz went to $49,000 for the colt, whose half-brother, Jose Patio, went gate to wire earlier in the day, smoking an open allowance field over the turf.
“We bred the grandmother, mother, Jose and now him,” said co-breeder Cheryl Sprick. “We have a long history with this family.
“We really had no idea what was going to happen in the ring today,” she continued. “We’re grateful to the buyer and hope he has great success. He and Jose’s grand-dam’s name is Minnesota Miracle and it’s finally happening.”
The leading consigner in terms of horses sold and dollars earned was Dove Hill Farm, selling five horses for gross proceeds of $72,000.
John Mentz was the leading buyer in dollars paid this year, picking up another colt, Mayor of Boyd (Enticed-Waveland-Woodman) in addition to the sale topper while C & R Racing purchased the most horses at the sale with three.
The gross proceeds for the 2023 sale were $301,000, down from $385,600 last year. Thirty-three Minnesota breds were consigned to the sale while there were also a pair of Oklahoma breds, for a total of thirty-five horses consigned. There were four outs prior to the sale so thirty-one yearlings went through the ring with twenty-four going to new buyers, one less than 2022.
The average sale price for the Minnesota bred yearlings was $13,477, down from $15,424 last year while the median was $7,000, up from $6,000 in 2022.
“Overall with the uncertainty the MTA is quite satisfied with the results,” said MTA President Cameron Mahlum. “Our breeders and consigners provided a collective quality product once again. I overheard many compliments about that. Our average and median were right in the four-year average. I like the fact that of the 22 MN breds that were sold, eight of them went for at least $15K. Thanks to Canterbury and their assistance in getting it ready. Our auctioneer and his team, including Kevin Gorg’s in his first pedigree reading. Big shout out to Kay King, the rest of the board and all who joined in the effort.”
Kay King, Executive Director of the MTA, faced several logistical challenges setting up and running this year’s sale but managed to keep it all organized and running smoothly.
“The updated Receiving Barn was fantastic,” said King. “This is the first time I’ve ever had a consignor ask to turn off a row of lights at ‘bedtime for the yearlings’ because it was ‘too bright.’ The stalls were solid and spacious. The Canterbury Park Expo Center is always a great venue for holding the auction.”
“We’re so appreciative of Canterbury’s efforts to accommodate our sale,” she continued. “The staff goes above and beyond to help make our sales successful.”
The beat will go on in Minnesota, as buyers and sellers both expressed hope for the future of racing in Shakopee.
“There may be a tough year or two, but we’ve gone through that before,” said one owner. “Something will get figured out and we’ll keep moving forward.”
Never underestimate the resilience of Midwestern horse people.
