by Lisa Groothedde

The 2008 Barretts Equine Ltd. May sale of two-year-olds in training has a tough act to follow as last year’s sale set records for average price and total receipts.

The one-day sale begins at 11 a.m. PDT on Tuesday at the Hinds Pavilion at Fairplex Park in Pomona, California. Last year, Barretts reported 181 horses as sold for total receipts of $11,331,300 and an average price of $62,604.

“As usual, it is hard to predict how deep the market will be,” said Jerry McMahon, president and general manager of Barretts Equine Ltd. “We have some very nice horses here, and they should not have trouble finding buyers. As you move down the scale, the market may be more difficult.

“Our catalog this year is smaller, and I don’t think we’re as deep at the top as we were last year,” McMahon added. “That should make it relatively easy for buyers to find the best horses.”

Five two-year-olds worked one furlong in :09.80 during two under-tack shows for the Barretts May sale, which also features three maiden winners.

Last year’s leading consignor, John Brocklebank’s and Shane Chipman’s B.C.3. Thoroughbreds, agent, is represented this year by two of the three Southern California maiden winners in the 328-horse catalog—Cat Dreamer and Gonging Wild—as well as a Cactus Ridge colt who worked one furlong in :09.80 during the second under-tack show at Fairplex on May 9.

A City Place colt consigned by Hartley/De Renzo Thoroughbreds, agent, and a Lion Heart filly consigned by Andy Havens’s Havens Bloodstock Agency, agent, shared the fastest one-furlong time at the second breeze show. The :09.80 clocking also was achieved by a Gimmeawink colt, consigned by Eddie Woods, agent, and a Not For Love colt, consigned by Ciaran Dunne’s Wavertree Stables, agent, at the first under-tack show.

Wavertree Stables, agent, also is the consignor of Santa Anita Park maiden winner Little Yogi.

The Barretts May sale also features two-year-olds by Fusaichi Pegasus, Giant’s Causeway, Grand Slam, Honour and Glory, Pulpit, Smart Strike, Stormy Atlantic, and Tale of the Cat.

Lisa Groothedde is a California-based Thoroughbred Times correspondent