Despite a downturn in the national economy, the 2008 NCHA Summer Spectacular Sales saw a significant increase in sales over 2007, with an impressive 81% completed sales from a catalog of 270 head.

Produced by Western Bloodstock on August 1 and 2 at Will Rogers Equestrian Center, Fort Worth, Texas, during the $2.2 million NCHA Derby, the sales realized a gross sales average of $11,851 on 249 head and a net sales average of $10,814 on 204 head. The 45 lots for which reserve was not attained averaged $16,564, and 20 head were withdrawn.

An average of $73,800 was realized on the top five selling horses; the top 10 averaged $49,850, and the top 20 brought $36,100.

“Although most categories showed strong increases over 2007, some were down strictly due to lack of overall quality and not in any way due to the market,” noted Western Bloodstock spokesman Jim Ware. “These included show horses with earnings of $10,000 or more, and yearlings not sired by current leading sires.  Both are categories that draw high quality in the NCHA Futurity Sales, so we anticipate that the December Sales should be especially strong in 2008.”

The sale category increases included:
      Yearlings by current leading open sires – 12% increase
      Proven younger broodmares – 39% increase
      Other broodmares – 26% increase
      2-year-olds – 46% increase
      3-year-olds – 49% increase
      Show horses earning $10,000 or less – 17% increase

The 2008 NCHA Summer Spectacular Sale toppers included Shortys Starlight at $130,000, an 8-year-old Grays Starlight daughter and earner of $105,283. She was consigned by Buffalo Ranch, Farmington, Utah, and sold to Center Ranch, Centerville, Texas, with a colt at side by TR Dual Rey and bred to Hydrive Cat.

Hollywood Nus Bar was the second-highest selling lot at $99,000. The 2003 NCHA Open World Champion, earner of $115,633, and a 12-year-old daughter of Lenas Jewel Bars, sold with filly at side by Meradas Blue Sue and bred to Hydrive Cat. She was purchased by Fabio Antonio Pozzi of Brazil as a Buffalo Ranch consignment.

Smart Misty Merada, a 16-year-old producing daughter of Smart Little Lena, bred to Peptoboonsmal, sold for $80,000. She was consigned by Grace Ranch, Jennings, Louisiana, and purchased by John and Nancy McCoy, Houston, Texas.

The overall average for the sales was $10,814, an increase of $344 from $10,470 in 2007.

The 2008 NCHA Futurity Sales will be held daily from December 6 through December 14 at Will Rogers Equestrian Center, Fort Worth, Texas, during the NCHA Futurity.