The atmosphere at last Monday’s 18th annual Fall Yearling Sale can only be described as carnival-like.

Auction officials stood on platforms, using elaborate gestures, dramatic facial expressions, and shouts to encourage buyers to bid higher.

Potential buyers, sellers, trainers, owners and veterinarians from all over the East Coast attended the sale.

Morrisville’s Equine program sold 11 yearlings, averaging $15,573, according to MorrisvilleSale.com. Morrisville’s priciest horse, Plumb Monkey, sold for $42,000, said David Hanson, Sale Director.

Vernon Downs spokesman James Moran said he was pleased with his two new additions, Prepare To Launch and Guvner Of Goshen, totaling approximately $7,000. Moran said he enjoys Morrisville’s yearling sale and plans to attend next year.

The Equine program was heavily involved in the auction. Whether they were leading the horses on the auction block, positioning them in the ring, or behind the scenes grooming the animals, the equine students gained valuable experience from the sale.
Winbak Farm out of Chesapeake City, MD contributed the most horses to the auction. Out of 54 yearlings brought to the sale, they sold 53, bringing in roughly $11,706 per horse. There were 41 cosigners in all.

Asked about the risk of buying a horse whose medical history is a mystery to a buyer at the auction, Hanson said, “If you could look at their hearts, you would know.” Hanson said a horse has to want to be involved in racing. Hanson compared buying horses at an auction to buying stocks; it’s speculative.

Hanson also said that the sale costs about $100,000 to put on. He listed expenses such as auctioneers, trucks, and other necessities. The Morrisville State College Equine program gets 6 percent commission from all of the sales. These profits help pay for the tools needed for running such an impressive program.

Courtney Colburn, ’08 an Equine Business major, was responsible for photographing buyers’ signing contracts for buying verification. Colburn said she found the auction to be a very educational experience, despite having to run from person to person to take their pictures.

Dixie Dew Blue Chip from Blue Chip farms, LLC, AGNT BCF Bloodstock, by Art Major out of Miss Nukachef, brought the highest sale, at $47,000. Art Major has sired 137 two-year-olds in 2007, and they have had 89 starts with $1,501,406. He currently stands as the top two-year-old pacing sire of 2007. His yearlings went for an on average of $20,357.

Bettor’s Delight sired six yearlings, bringing an average of $23,500 per horse. Bettor’s Delight is currently ranked third in the all age pacers leading money winning sires of 2007. Horses he has sired have had 233 starts this year with $7,979,636 in winnings.

Nicole Palmer, ’10, an Equine Science major, worked in the Winbak Farm aisles at Monday’s sale. “The Winbak yearlings are a real pleasure to work with,” she said. “They have obviously been handled since a young age.” Palmer said she greatly enjoyed the sale and that she is looking forward to next year’s sale.