CopperDragon Sale II Provides A Bright Future
Monday, May 24, 2010
Following the success of the 2007 CopperDragon Sale, the Morgan industry eagerly awaited the sequel. CopperDragon II was announced in the summer of 2009 with a date of May 8, 2010 selected and Sebring Stables serving as the venue. The core group of sale manager Harry Sebring along with Ann Hailey of Copper Beech and the Fu Family of Dragonsmeade were proud to offer buyers a promising group of horses and opportunities. The results of the 2007 CopperDragon Sale were outstanding both in sale prices and the success that buyers have enjoyed with their purchases. No fewer than ten of the young horses sold have gone on to earn Grand National and/or World Championship honors for their new owners.
CopperDragon II featured 65 lots representing world caliber youngsters as well as world titled show horses and amazing breeding opportunities. The sale was a team effort from start to finish as two of the Morgan breed’s premier breeding programs combined forces. Ann Hailey of Copper Beech and the Fu Family of Dragonsmeade are committed to breeding high quality Morgan Horses; caring for, showing and promoting these horses; and supporting and giving back to the industry.
Teamwork is certainly one of the main reasons for the success of CopperDragon. From the partnership of Ann Hailey and the Fu Family to the sale staff assembled by Harry Sebring to the many trainers and their staffs who prepared and presented the sale horses. Including limited consignments from Tara Farm, to everyone who supported the sale through their attendance and/or bidding on cell phones, this was teamwork at its finest.
The CopperDragon II Sale schedule of events began on Friday morning with an open barn followed by a preview of the sale horses at 1:00 PM. This gave many of the interested buyers already in attendance a glimpse of what they would be bidding on the next day. Saturday was the main event kicking off with an open barn and brunch followed by the first session of the sale beginning at 1:00 PM.
Sale manager Harry Sebring greeted the large and enthusiastic audience before turning over the microphone to pedigree-reader Bill Carrington who introduced auctioneer Walt Robertson and the sale staff. As the curtain rose, the first of 65 lots was presented. A total of 38 lots were presented in the afternoon session. Following a break that included a dinner buffet and cocktails, the evening session began at 7:00 PM with lots #39-65.
When the final gavel fell, The CopperDragon II Sale provided many excited buyers with a bright future in the show ring and the breeding arena. The top five lots sold for a solid average of over $20,000 with the top ten ringing in at over $15,500.
The sale topper came in the grand finale as lot #65 provided a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, an embryo from World Champion HVK Obsidian. The daughter of HVK Bell Flaire and HVK Dragon Fly is already the dam of Oklahoma champions Dragonsmeade Icon, Own The Night and SLB Andiamo along with the promising Dragonsmeade Axios. The Dan Kelley Family of Victory Lane Farm was represented by David Rand as their agent in the acquisition for $37,000.
2009 World Futurity Three-Year-Old Park Harness Reserve Champion Dragonsmeade Elevation brought the second highest bid with Cheryl Brooks signing the ticket. Selvin Torrez rode the athletic four-year-old gelding sired by And The Beat Goes On and out of Dragonsmeade Valkyrie, and Torrez also served as agent for the buyer.
CBMF Richochet was selected for Carolyn Gibbard by her agent Tim Roesink. The four-year-old gelding sired by Tug Hill Whamunition and out of Paradigm Moonlight Sonata was presented by Fairview Stables and looks to have a bright future in the show ring.
Pete and Sandy Hendrick of Queen’s River Farm purchased a pair of youngsters including the top-five seller Dragonsmeade Spot On. With Northampton in hand titles already to his credit, the four-year-old gelding is a full brother to world champions Dragonsmeade Vivace, SLB Pucinni and SLB DaVinci being sired by HVK Bell Flaire and out of Dancity Gracious Remark.
Richard and Patricia Pitman are the new owners of world champion Dragonsmeade Tahari, with Rick Lane serving as their agent. Presented under saddle on the sale runway by Mike Carpenter, the four-year-old daughter of Mizrahi and Raehurst Bonnie Lass was the 2009 Junior Classic Pleasure Driving World Champion.
Harry Sebring reflected in the days following the sale, "This Sale showed that breeders can work together toward a common goal and be successful. It is certainly a buyer’s market right now and we feel that the buyers bought a group of exceptionally nice horses. We are pleased that many of the horses were purchased by people who want to show them. The first CopperDragon Sale produced many world champions for their new owners, and we feel this sale will also. The principals are relatively pleased with the results of this sale."
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