by Pete Denk

Barretts Equine Ltd. has eliminated its October mixed sale for 2009.

The yearlings that traditionally are sold at the mixed sale will be funneled toward the Barretts/CTBA California yearling sale, currently scheduled for October 6. They also could be sold as short two-year-olds at the January mixed sale.

Broodmares previously sold in October will be encouraged for the January sale.

“We’re going to merge the October mixed sale and the yearling sale to try to strengthen the product,” said Jim Henwood, president of the Los Angeles County Fair Association, which owns Barretts. “And we’re looking at matching it up with the California Cup over at Santa Anita and have the sale in that time period. We think it will be a good way to market California horses.”

Barretts President Jerry McMahon, who announced his resignation this week, said the changes are still being finalized.

Barretts reported 243 horses sold for $916,000 at the 2008 October sale, which suffered a 76% decline in total receipts compared with last year. The 97 broodmares reported as sold accounted for $316,000 of the total, and 83 yearlings brought $277,900. Three two-year-olds sold for $37,700.

“Our challenge is to work through these challenging economic times and help improve the breeding structure in California,” Henwood said.

Pete Denk is sales editor for Thoroughbred Times