The 2008 Barretts Equine Ltd. January mixed sale concluded Wednesday with declines across the board.

Barretts sold 352 horses for total receipts of $2,190,200 during the two-day sale at Hinds Pavilion in Pomona, California. Total receipts dipped 47.6% compared with the 2007 sale, which was bolstered by major dispersals from Stan Fulton and Granja Vista del Rio Stable.

With no major dispersals this year, average price declined 34.8% from $9,544 a year ago to $6,222 in 2008 and median dropped 28.9% from $4,500 to $3,200.

The buy-back rate rose from 18.1% in 2007 to 28%.

Marty and Pam Wygod purchased the sale topper during Wednesday’s session, going to $120,000 to secure five-year-old mare Villa Margurite. Consigned by River Edge Farm, agent for the Estate of Edward Nahem, the unraced bay Bertrando mare is believed to be in foal to Benchmark, a multiple Grade 2 winner and productive California-based sire who the Wygods raced.

A half sister to multiple stakes winner Hugh Hefner, Villa Margurite is a out of the stakes-winning Private Account mare Personal Victory.

Wednesday’s session also featured the highest-priced yearling in the sale as Super Horse purchased a Marino Marini colt out of stakes-placed winner Storybook Fair, by Avenue of Flags, for $70,000.

Consigned by West 12 Ranch, agent, the dark bay or brown colt is a half brother to multiple stakes winner Shining Nuggets.

Barretts reported 165 horses as sold from 239 offered during the second session for total receipts of $969,300, a 39.6% decrease compared with the corresponding 2007 session.

Average price dipped 21.7% to $5,875 and median dropped 25% to $3,000. The buy-back rate on day two soared from 18.9% last year to 31%.

For hip-by-hip results, clickhere.