SHAKOPEE, MN – With a lighter list of yearlings this year and coming off the heels of a dismal 2020 sale, there was some uncertainty on what the horses in this year’s Minnesota Thoroughbred Association’s yearling sale would bring. 2021 proved to be a bounce-back year for the MTA and Minnesota bred yearlings.

Thirty-five Minnesota bred yearlings went through the sales ring compared to fifty-one last year with twenty-eight selling to new owners versus thirty-four, year over year. The average sales price increased from $9,724 to $13,696 year over year while median jumped from $4,000 to $9,000. The gross proceeds, despite having six less horses sold, increased to $383,500 from $359,800.

“We are very pleased with the success of our sale.” Said MTA President Cameron Mahlum. “Last year was tough but a nice recovery was significant for our industry.  We saw 80% sell to new owners, netting more in gross sales despite six less exchanging hands.  We also saw a 40% increase in average sale prices and a very impressive 125% increase in median.  The support for our Minnesota breds was once again evident and very rewarding.”

The sales topper was hip number 32, Checkcashingconnie, who sold for $46,000. The daughter of the precocious Run Away and Hide out of multiple Minnesota stakes winner Sheso Dazzling was consigned by Mary and Eric Von Seggern and Kurt and Melanie Kindschuh.  This is the second year in a row, and third year overall, that the Von Seggerns consigned the sales topper.

“She’s all that you look for in a racehorse and an attitude to match just like her mother,” said Eric Von Seggern. “When we put her in the stall at the sale, she kept looking out at the track especially during the training hours and the races.”

She also posses some of the intangibles that you can’t train.

“She was always the dominate one in this group of yearlings growing up,” Von Seggern continued. The Von Seggerns sold three of four yearlings they brought to the sale, all bringing $40,000 or more. They’ll race the one they are bringing home.

“We wish good luck to all the new owners and know they are in good hands,” smiled Eric. 

The sales topper was sold to John Mentz, Jeff Larson and Hugh Robertson.

The leading consigners by volume were Benz Lake Farm, Dove Hill Farm and Eugene and Rita Boehlke, each selling four horses with Dove Hill the leading consigner by dollars with $80,000.  The leading purchaser by volume was Lynn Rarick, buying four horses, with the leading purchaser by dollars was Xtreme Racing Stables LLC, buying three horses worth $105,000.

“Thanks to Canterbury Park, auctioneer Dan Mahaney and his team, pedigree reader Brian Arrigoni and all of the consigners,” said Mahlum. “We greatly appreciate the motivated buyers and breeders that contributed to this very positive event.  I personally want to thank Kay King, our executive director, and the rest of the MTA board and members that contributed. We hope this positivity will roll into next year.”

You can find the complete sale results here.