HARRISBURG, Pa. – The Standardbred horse sale at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center set a new record earlier this month, selling 2,074 horses for $66.5 million, Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff said.
The yearling sale grossed a record $38.6 million, while the mixed sale grossed a record $27.9 million.
“For the third straight year, the Standardbred sale has set new records,” said Wolff.
“This is a testament to the quality of Pennsylvania’s equine industry, which attracts buyers from around the world.”
Incentive. For the first time, the department of agriculture offered an incentive program for first-time foreign buyers who purchased Pennsylvania-bred yearlings.
As a result, 19 horses were purchased by qualifying buyers for $876,000, representing Sweden, Russia, Ireland, North Wales, Finland and the Republic of Tatarstan.
Highest. The highest-selling horse of the sale was a champion race mare, WindyLane Hanover, consigned by Yankeeland Farms of Maryland, for $600,000.
The highest-selling yearling went for $375,000, consigned by Hanover Shoe Farms in Pennsylvania.
About the breed. Standardbreds, noted for their speed and stamina, are most frequently used in harness racing.
Consignors from throughout the United States and Canada market yearlings and other Standardbreds during the sale.
Complete pedigrees and sale results are available online at http://www.theblackbook.com.
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