The TSE/Tattersalls Spring Sale, held April 12 and 13 in Lexington, Kentucky, maintained a healthy average as buyers once again showed their willingness to bid on horses offered at a public auction. “The entries presented in the pavilion sold well” stated TSE/Tattersalls President Ed Teater. He added that “the response to the gainful consignments was persuasive and verifies a commitment to maintaining a vital market.” The first of the three annual sales saw familiar numbers, with an average for horses sold holding firm at $4,266.00 and RNA’s (Reserves Not Attained) at 7% of horses cataloged. “These numbers are reflective of the 2001 TSE/Tattersalls Spring Sale,” explained Ed Teater.
Presented in harness by Jimmy Robertson, CH Elle once again took home the honor of topping The Spring Sale as she did in 2001. Just one of the many exclusive consignments offered by Franklin and Carolyn Groves of Minneapolis, Minnesota, this exquisite bay mare looked very much at home in the sales arena. Boasting an accomplished show career, including two Reserve World’s Champion titles in the three-gaited division, she was purchased by Wes Bowling, representing Fred Hensler, Horizon Saddlebreds of Fenton, Missouri. A $30,000 bid scaled the purchase. CH Elle is the daughter of stakes winner The Supreme Victory, also the dam of stakes winner Harlem’s Prince Charming. She is by World’s Champion Harlem Globetrotter, sire of World’s Grand Champion CH Garland’s Dream and appears primed to continue a blue ribbon tradition for her new owner.
Jayne and Morris Tillman of Tillman Stables, Antioch, Illinois, selected the junior entry Peter Cottontail as an addition to their stable. This dark chestnut gelding by World’s Grand Champion Buck Rogers and out of multiple World’s Champion producer Bi Mi Replique was a consignment of James Orr, Lee’s Summit, Missouri. This talented youngster owned the attention of onlookers and bidders alike, with a final bid of $19,000.00 confirming his new ownership.
Centauri, a full brother to World’s Champion Tyler and already proven in the show ring with wins at Pin Oak and The Big Easy, performed five gaits flawlessly for an appreciative crowd. The impressive gelding looked ripe for the show season and was purchased by SGF Winning Ways Farm Ltd., Tomball, Texas. The final bid was $17,000.00 on this Elly Berman consignment.
Kelsey Price entertained the crowd with Worthy’s Forever Special, the upfronted and charismatic five-gaited consignment of Kris Price’s Pleasantview Farm LLC of Simpsonville, Kentucky. She was purchased by Lester H. Harmon, Temple, Georgia, for $13,000.00.
Amateur and juvenile horses proved in demand and Shamrock’s Robin Hood was no exception. Presented by Roger Meade, this handsome and colorful gelding was impossible to miss, and verified that manners are just as important as he separated his gaits with a willing attitude. A consignment from Ronald E. Meadows, Craigsville, West Virginia, Shamrock’s Robin Hood is already proven in the ring and was convincing of his $12,000.00 final bid. World Inspection Network-Westerville, Columbus, Ohio, is the new owner of this Shamrock Santana son.
Another proven amateur mount was selected by Larry Sanders of Paducah, Kentucky. Pikeview’s Kitty Hawke was expertly presented by Jenny Taylor, and $12,000.00 was the price to procure ownership of this lovely bay consignment from Margo and Christopher Coleman of Medina, Ohio.
John Biggins is associated with big trotting horses, and he didn’t disappoint as he rode into the sales ring on Mister Mega Bucks. This former Kentucky Amateur Futurity winner was a fresh face as he was shown only lightly last year. This big, bold son of CH Buck Rogers toyed with the bidders before playing to a successful final hand of $11,000.00. The Barbara Madonich-Ulrich, Rivendale, New York, consignment changed hands as J.D. Gardner signed the ticket for Nancy Sealy, Forsyth, Georgia.
Topping the broodmare consignments was the Carolyn T. Groves entry Breathless Affair. A full sister to World’s Champion Timely Affair and Sweepstakes Champion Freedom Reins, this elegant mare is by the deceased World’s Champion sire Sultan’s Starmaker. She lists Delightful Affair as her dam, a half sister to Northern Empress and Delightful Serenade. Selling in foal to multiple World’s Champion sire Periaptor, this young mare is bred to begin her own claim to history. The O’Brien Family Trust of Lexington, Kentucky, sealed the bid of $11,000.00 for ownership of this former three-gaited show mare.
285 horses were entered for the two-day sale. “We were understandably disappointed in the number of horses cataloged that did not get to the sale ring,” stated Ed Teater. “But our numbers show that the horses that came through the gate sold well. We have held many sales and each one presents its challenges. We have always looked at each situation as a learning opportunity. We are considering a few policy adjustments to ensure that our venue continues to be successful for both the buyers and consignors,” he explained.
The tradition of service and convenience will continue at TSE/Tattersalls Summer Sale, held July 10, 11 and 12 during the week of the Lexington Junior League Horse Show. Entries for The Summer Sale close Tuesday, May 28. For more information contact TSE/Tattersalls at 859-885-7283 or write to Teater Saddlebred Enterprises Inc., 6268 Harrodsburg Road, Nicholasville, Kentucky 40356.