Record Price for Clone

Competitive bidding and strong prices for well-bred 2-year-olds and yearlings were hallmarks of Don Horton’s Strawn Valley Ranch Dispersal on Wednesday, September 25, at Silverado Arena in Weatherford, Tex. Produced by Western Bloodstock LTD, the sale featured offspring of The Smart Look, the #1 leading, living producer of NCHA money earners, including 17 sons and daughters of her sons and daughters.

The dispersal grossed $1,085,200 on 40 lots, with an average of $27,130. The top five sellers averaged $94,800 and included one 2-year-old; one yearling; and one 4-year-old show horse.

The top 10 sellers averaged $72,900 and included four yearlings.

The sale topper, at $120,000, was 2-year-old Smart N Metallic, by Metallic Cat out of the Smart Look. The red roan colt, in training with Phil Rapp, was purchased by Jeffrey Neidhart, Farmington, NM.

Cats Lookin Smart, a 4-year-old mare in training with Ronnie Rice, was the second-highest seller at $100,000. The High Brow Cat daughter, out of The Smart Look, was purchased by Erin Russell, Fort Worth, Tex.

Reyl Smart Deal, a full brother to Strawn Valley Ranch-sired Dual Smart Rey ($330,436), was the high-selling yearling at $72,000; he was purchased by Gary Rosenbach, owner of Rose Valley Ranch.

The high-selling yearling filly, at $70,000, was SVR Shesgothatlook, by Metallic Cat out of The Smart Look, purchased by Gene Power LLC. The other two top-selling yearling fillies were also The Smart Look daughters. Lookn Smooth N Sassy, by Smooth As A Cat, sold for $60,000 to Tommy Manion. Sheza Smart Pepto, by Peptoboonsmal, brought $50,000 from Rusty Simpson.

Smart Look Classic, a 4-year-old clone of The Smart Look, was the third-highest selling horse from all lots. She was purchased by Bobby and Dottie Hill for $97,000. The price, according to Western Bloodstock officials, was the highest ever paid at auction for a clone, and included two embryos, by Metallic Cat and Dual Rey.

In addition, 25-year-old The Smart Look, along with her weanling filly by Metallic Cat, sold for $85,000 to Julie Wrigley.

~ files from Western Bloodstock