A yearling sired by New Jersey’s Walner has set a new record at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale in Kentucky. The yearling, named Rani Hanover, fetched $925,000 and is the first foal of 2020 Hambletonian winner Ramona Hill.
Walner’s offspring led the sales with a total of $8.9 million from 51 sold yearlings. Muscle Hill and Tactical Landing, both New Jersey sires, also performed well with gross sales of $4.3 million and $3.25 million respectively. All three sires are based at Southwind Farms in Pennington, Mercer County.
“The prices New Jersey-bred yearlings generated demonstrate the respect the racing industry has for the work of New Jersey breeders,” NJDA Secretary Ed Wengryn said. “These prices are a direct benefit of the Governor and Legislature committing to long-term investment in horse breeding and racing in New Jersey.”
On Day 1 of the sale, Walner’s 27 yearlings were sold for nearly $6.3 million, making him the leader for that day. Muscle Hill was third with 11 yearlings fetching nearly $2.2 million. On Day 2, Walner was second with sales just over $2 million from 15 offspring; Tactical Landing was third with sales totaling $1.61 million from 12 sold; Muscle Hill was fourth with his 12 offspring selling for $1.6 million.
The average sale price for Walner’s offspring was $175,216, leading all others. Muscle Hill’s average came in third at $124,257 while Tactical Landing ranked seventh at an average of $87,784.
Throughout the week-long event, a total of 911 yearlings were sold amounting to $65,712,700 or an average price per horse of $72,132.
Concord Stud Farm from Cream Ridge in Monmouth County ranked fourth among consignors by averaging $111,542 for their 24 yearlings offered during the auction.
Walner is noted as a former world champion who won nine out of ten lifetime starts including prestigious races like the Breeders Crown and Stanley Dancer Memorial at Meadowlands Racetrack.
Muscle Hill is another past world champion known for winning his last twenty consecutive races including titles such as Horse of the Year (2009) along with being crowned Breeders Crown winner at ages two and three.
Tactical Landing achieved recognition as Breeders Crown Champion at age three; he is closely related to world champion Mission Brief sharing parentage through sire Muscle Hill and mare Southwind Serena.
