Numbers up at Barretts

Total sales, average price and median price all rose sharply at Tuesday's

Barretts March Sale of Selected Two-Year-Olds in Training at Fairplex Park in

Pomona, California. The sales company reported 88 two-year-olds sold for

$19,340,000, an increase of 34.7 percent compared to last year when 93 juveniles

brought $14,361,000. The average price jumped 42.3 percent, from $154,419 to

$219,773, and the median price soared 84.4 percent, from $80,000 to $147,500. A total of

62 youngsters did not change hands, compared to 46 last year. There were 49

outs, compared to 41 in 2006.

John Ferguson Bloodstock, who usually represents Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid

al Maktoum, paid the top price of $1.4 million for Hip. No 147, EL OFICIAL

(Officer). The bay colt, out of the unraced Rovie Wade (Silver Ghost), was consigned by B.C.3.

Thoroughbreds, agent. He previously sold for $190,000 at last year's Keeneland

September Yearling Sale.

At the first training preview on March 12, the Kentucky-bred youngster worked

a quarter-mile in a bullet :20 4/5.

El Oficial is the third registered foal out of Rovie Wade, who is a

half-sister to two stakes winners, including 1999 Hawthorne Derby (G3) winner

and $559,560-earner Minor Wisdom (Major Impact).

Ferguson also purchased the highest-priced filly, paying $800,000 for Hip 35,

a daughter of Cape Town. The dark bay lass is out of stakes-placed Charming Gal

(Slew's Royalty) and is a full sister to 2003 Cavonnier S. winner Race for

Glory. She was also consigned by B.C.3. Thoroughbreds, agent.

Her second dam, stakes winner Westward Gal (Reb's Policy), produced stakes

winners Ballerina Gal (Moscow Ballet) and Reb's Natural (L'Natural).

The California-bred worked a quarter-mile in :21 at the first training

preview and previously sold for $240,000 at last year's Barretts October

Yearling Sale.

Overall, Ferguson purchased five horses for $3.95 million B.C.3. Thoroughbreds, agent, was the leading consignor, selling nine horses

for $4.62 million.

For complete results, visit barretts.com.