Complete results just made available for the 2011 NCHA Futurity Sales, held December 6 through 10 in Fort Worth, show an increase of 14% in average price over the 2010 Futurity Sales.
Confidence in the cutting horse market was further borne out by an increase of 23.5% in average for the 10 highest sellers – $160,000, compared to $129,500 in 2010.
The sale topper, at $280,000, was a yearling High Brow Cat daughter, Tapt Cat, consigned by her breeder, Waco Bend Ranch. The full sister to 2011 NCHA Horse of the Year $639,000 earner Dont Look Twice was purchased by the Tapt Cat Syndicate.
Yearling filly Autumn Kitty, by High Brow Cat, and 7-year-old ARC Catty Dual, by Dual Pep, each sold for $220,000, the second-highest price from the sales. Arc Catty Dual, consigned by AK Cutting Horses and purchased by Center Ranch, was the high-selling broodmare with ETs by High Brow Cat, Smooth As A Cat, and One Time Pepto.
Autumn Boon, dam of Autumn Kitty, set a record with three offspring ranked among the top 12 (25%) high-selling horses. Autumn Kitty was consigned by Manion Ranch; Catzanova, a yearling colt by Smooth As A Cat, brought $69,000 for consignor Karen Freeman; and Awesome Autumn, a 7-year-old daughter of Smart Little Lena, consigned by Autumn Partners, sold to Lori and Bobby Gale for $90,000; while Diva N Denim, a 6-year-old full sister to Awesome Autumn, brought $41,000.
The top price of $70,000 for 2-year-olds was attained by Wicked Lil Reys, by Dual Rey; Sweet Mr Katz, by High Brow Cat; and ARC Lunar Pepto, by One Time Pepto. Sweet Mr Katz is a full brother to High Brow CD, 2008 NCHA Horse of the Year and a leading sire of 2011 Futurity Sale yearlings.
A strong demand for show geldings saw seven of them sold among the top 50 lots. Four of them for $50,000 or more, including 4-year-old Mate So Smooth at $74,000. The Smooth As A Cat son, in training with Paul Hansma, was sold to Donald Gilbert by Darren Blanton.
2011 NCHA Futurity Sales at a glance
Gross sales: 872 head with $17,730 average
RNA: 181 head with $23,130 average
Net sales: 691 head with $16,320 average
Withdrawn: 54 head
Completed sales: 79%
For complete results go to westernbloodstock.com