Records fall during NCHA Futurity Sales

NCHA Futurity Sales 2007, produced by Western Bloodstock from December 9 through 16 at Will Rogers Equestrian Center, broke previous sale records in seven categories. The sale average of $21,082 on 1,029 horses sold, from a catalog of 1,250, was more than $3,000 higher than in 2004, when the highest number ever (1,086) were sold.

“It was a fabulous sale,” said Jim Ware of Western Bloodstock. “We didn’t have quite as many horses at $100,000 or more, but the mid-range horses brought more than ever before. The cutting industry can’t have enough good horses – it takes a lot of prospects to supply the increasing entries at limited age events.

“I’m often asked how many is too much to sell,” Ware continued. “When you consider there were 1,700 entries in the 2007 Futurity, and that does not include those horses shown before that event, you realize it takes a staggering number of horses to meet the industry demand.”

Averages for the top 20, 100 and 200 horses sold also topped all previous years — the top 20 sold for an average of $238,850; top 100 for an average of $94,590; and the top 200 for $64,160.

Completed sales in 2008 were seven percent higher than the all-time record year of 2004 (82 percent compared to 75 in three years earlier).

The Invitational Yearling Sale, with an average of $79,592 for 50 head, saw an increase of 14.5 percent over 2006, where 51 head sold for an average of $68,745. The all-time record for a yearling of $390,000, set at the 2004 EE Ranches Sale, was exceeded or equaled by three lots. Curlys Cowgirl, consigned by Dick Gaines, Byers, Texas, set a new yearling record of $500,000. The Zack T Wood daughter, full sister to champions Wood Ya Wanna and Wood I Never, sold to Stan Thomas, Newman, GA.

Bet Hesa Cat, a red roan by High Brow Cat and out of world champion Bet Yer Blue Boons, set a yearling colt record of $400,000. Consigned by Teddy Price, Winnfield, LA, he was purchased by trainer Austin Shepard, Summerdale, AL, for the Bet Hesa Cat Syndicate.

Shes Brilliant, consigned by Tommy Manion, Aubrey, TX, tied the previous yearling auction record. The High Brow Cat daughter, a full sister to NCHA Horse of the Year Smooth As A Cat, brought $390,000 from Stan Thomas. The former record was for the High Brow Cat daughter Catalaney, out of leading producer Laney Doc, purchased by Thomas during the 2004 EE Ranches Sale.

Five-year-old Absolutely Stunning, with siblings that have earned over $715,000, set a new record for a seasoned cutting horse at $575,000. The red roan daughter of Smart Little Lena, from the family of all-time producer Royal Blue Boon, is the earner of $102,000. She was consigned by Tommy Manion and Karen Freeman, Clarksville, TN and sold to Jackson Land & Cattle, Jackson Hole, WY, owner of leading cutting sire Peptoboonsmal.

Four-year-old Shes Icing On The Cat, winner of $237,000 under Wes Galyean, Ardmore, OK, broke the previous record for a seasoned cutting horse at auction with a price of $500,000. The High Brow Cat daughter, consigned by Galyean, was purchased by Ken Jackson, Owensville, MO, who purchased the weanling filly All Boon at the 2006 NCHA Futurity Sales for a record $750,000.

A new two-year-old record was established with the sale of What A Smooth Cat for $225,000. The son of Smooth As A Cat, out of Nurse What, was consigned by Lee Gaule, Springfield, IL, and purchased by Lynn Leedy, Oklahoma City, OK. SDP Tell Me Kitty, a filly sired by Mr Jay Bar Cat, tied the previous two-year-old record at $200,000. She was consigned by Trey Hunt, Argyle, TX, and sold to Sandra Sabey, Big Fork, MT.

Cutting has outpaced all non-racing events as the richest and fastest growing segment of the performance horse industry. The National Cutting Horse Association paid $42 million in purses during 2007, and the NCHA Futurity, offered a record purse of $4.2 million.

All three major 2007 NCHA Futurity champions had been purchased through previous Western Bloodstock Sales: Open champion High Brow CD at the 2005 Preferred Breeders Sale; Non-Pro champion Wild Hickory Bob during the 2007 NCHA Super Stakes Sale; and Amateur and Non-Pro Limited champion Dual Ya Scoot from the 2005 Preferred Breeders Sale.

“We’re extremely proud of the three champions came through our sales,” said Jim Ware. “It confirms the fact that the best prospects in the world come through Western Bloodstock.”

The next NCHA sale on Western Bloodstock’s calendar is the 2008 NCHA Super Stakes Sale, April 19, 2008 at Will Rogers Equestrian Center, Fort Worth, Texas.