Percy Bluechip was the 2016 Forest City Selected Yearling Sale topper, garnering a final bid over six-figures on Sunday, Oct. 23 at Western Fair’s Metroland Media Agriplex in London, Ont.
Percy Bluechip, Hip 48, was purchased for $110,000 by Dr. Ian Moore of Guelph, Ont. Consigned by Preferred Equine for Blue Chip Farms, the bay filly is sired by Shadow Play out of the Artsplace mare Advantest, making her a full-sister to the Moore-campaigned O'Brien Award winner Arthur Blue Chip ($552,759 - 1:50.1). Percy Bluechip is also a half-sibling to the Bettors Delight son Kenneth J ($1,592,755 - 1:49.3).
Moore also purchased the Shadow Play son Atomic Seelster, Hip 55, for $100,000. The Seelster Farms-bred brown colt is out of the Astreos mare Angelina Seelster and is a half-sibling to the Mach Three mare Aniston Seelster ($193,683 - 1:52.4).
Backstreet Shadow, Hip 66, rounded out the top three highest priced yearlings of the sale with a price tag of $82,000. Also sired by Shadow Play, the bay colt is out of the Dragon Again mare Backstreet Sweetie. Consigned by Preferred Equine for Talbotcreek Farm, he was purchased by Lindsey Rankin of Lexington, Michigan. Backstreet Shadow is a half-sibling to Mach Three mare Aintsheasweetie ($89,684 - 1:52.2).
A total of 133 yearlings were sold at this year's Forest City Yearling Sale for $3,499,000. The average price of $26,308 was up from last year. In comparison, the 2015 sale was comprised of 136 yearlings, which sold for $3,197,000 with an average price of $23,507.
“I think the sale reflected a show of optimism for the industry and confidence in the product. The industry seems to be turning a corner especially with the incentives now being offered,” noted sale manager Ann Straatman. “It appears that breeders are looking at offering quality over quantity.
“I’d like to thank auctioneers Ryan Dorran Marketing, now in their fourth year with FCYS, all of the staff of the sale and Randy Manges and Bruce Brinkerhoff for assisting with inspections,” she added.
In addition to the sale of many of Ontario’s best bred yearlings, the weekend also included the Forest City Preview at The Raceway which were four divisional races open to three-year-old trotters and pacers who raced in the Ontario Sires Stakes this season.
Thanks to the sponsorship from Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. and Ontario Racing, the Forest City Yearling Sale and Western Fair District put together an innovative Info Zone for fans and owners. A number of organizations presented information on fractional ownership, horse registration and licensing, pedigree interpretation, Ontario's new owners' bonus and life after racing for our equine athletes.
To view the complete sale results, click here.
(With files from FCYS)