Harrisburg yearling sale concludes with across-the-board decline

By the time the Standardbred Horse Sales Company’s annual November yearling auction in Harrisburg concluded on Wednesday night, the average price had settled at a 26.9 percent decline, and an analysis of the entire sale showed there were no bright spots as the world’s current economic crisis made its presence felt.

In addition to the drop in the average price from $40,922 to $29,897, the gross for the sale declined by $10 million (23 percent) and the median—the price point where half the horses sell for more and half for less—took a 22.9 percent dive.

The upper market was severely affected by the tight-fisted shopping mood as only 40 yearlings brought prices of $100,000 or more, down from 85 in 2007, which is a 52.9 percent drop.

The leading sire by average price was the pacing progenitor Western Terror, whose 7 offspring brought an average price of $76,857. The trotting sire Credit Winner ranked second with his 36 yearlings bringing an average of $59,694, actually an increase in average from the $47,800 he posted at the 2007 Harrisburg sale.

The mixed sale portion of the sale got underway Thursday morning and concludes Saturday.

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