First Prize Stanley, a son of Mr Jess Perry out of a full sister to First Down Dash, sold for an all-time record of $675,000 on Sunday, August 31, to top the Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale at Ruidoso Downs, NM.

Total sales for the three-day sale of running-bred Quarter Horses was up 15.3 percent over 2007. The auction grossed $19,574,900 on 455 yearlings, up from $16,984,700 on 420 head last year. The average price of $43,022 surpassed the record-breaking 2007 average of $40,400 by 6.4 percent.

The upper end of the market was particularly strong with 119 yearlings selling for $50,000 or more. a 25.3 percent increase over 2007.

Chad Hart, owner of Hart Farms, Kaplan, LA, purchased First Prize Stanley from his breeder, Weetona Stanley, owner of his dam First Prize Dash, 2006 Broodmare of the Year and dam of three Grade 1 stakes winners, including First Prize Perry, who kicked off his stud career in 2008 at Hart Farms.

Julianna Hawn-Holt topped the consignors’ list with a gross of $1,249,500 for nine yearlings, including the $530,000 paid for high-selling filly Mia Corona, full sister to All American Futurity winner Corona Cash, and half-sister to leading sire Corona Cartel.

The previous record price for a Ruidoso Select yearling was the $510,000 paid during the 1981 Super Select Sale for a half-brother to champion Higheasterjet.

The all-time record for a Quarter Horse yearling at auction was set at the 2001 Vessels/Schvaneveldt Sale, when Corona Caliente, brother to 2008 Ruidoso Select high-selling filly, Mia Corona, sold for $700,000.