January Mixed Sale closes Monday

"There are two ways to look at the shortage of racehorses," he said. "On the one hand, there are plenty of racing opportunities and purses are strong, so many find it hard to part with a good horse.

"But on the other hand, that smaller population of racehorses has sent demand through the roof when a good one does go to auction. Nearly every horse that sells these days--that's competitive and winning--brings every penny it's worth, and many times a whole lot more."

With breeding season just around the corner, the sale has also become a target for those selling race fillies, in-foal broodmares and stallion shares.

"Our ‘Magnificent Mares' section has really picked again recently, and we expect that trend to continue," Reid said. "With the yearling market like it was this last fall, there's big money to be made selling high-end fillies and mares." (Tattersalls Sales Co.)