Steve and Cindy Stewart’s Hunterton Sales Agency has established itself as one of the leading consignors at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale based on quality, gross sales, and sale average. This week, the Paris, KY-based nursery offers the largest consignment it has cataloged at the Fasig-Tipton Sales Pavilion, with 126 yearlings on the grounds.
“[It] is the most we’ve ever sold,” Steve said. “If we don’t have something for you, it’s not out there. The bottom line is the partners and the clients are making money and they keep breeding more mares. We’ve got more in Harrisburg than we’ve ever sold before, too. We’ve got close to 60 there.”
Hunterton’s previous high-water mark at Lexington came in 2023 when 111 yearlings passed through the pavilion, ringing up gross sales of $10.6 million (tops among consignors) and averaging $95,982 (ranking sixth). Last season, a group of 94 babies topped $9 million in sales with an average that eclipsed $96,000. Stewart believes this year’s consignment can build on the strong numbers of the last two seasons, particularly with the number of yearlings selling during the first two sessions. Hunterton yearlings will account for more than 20 per cent of the babies sold in the first session.
“We’ve got 29 horses selling the first day, which is by far more than anybody else,” Steve said. “We’ve got 30-some selling the second day. So half of our consignment will be gone after the first two days. And then you factor in that there are quite a few that are selling the last day that, if they weren’t Ohio-breds, would have been first or second day. You know, really good mares that we bred to Downbytheseaside and stuff like that. But, you know, when you lose half your consignment in the first two days and you’re selling 126, that kind of bodes well.”…