September 1, 2008 – The Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale ended Sunday night with First Prize Stanley, a colt by Mr Jess Perry out of champion broodmare First Prize Dash, bringing a sale-record $675,000.

The Ruidoso Select Sales Company reported that total sales for the three-session sale were up 15 percent from 2007. According to the company, a total of 455 yearlings were offered and they brought a total of $19,574,900, up from $16,984,700 on 420 head last year. The average price for a horse passing through the ring was up 6 percent, from $40,400 last year to $43,022 this year. The upper half of the market was particularly strong with 119 yearlings fetching $50,000 or more, marking a 25-percent increase over 2007.

First Prize Stanley was consigned by the 6666 Ranch, as agent for Weetona Stanley, and was purchased by Chad Hart. First Prize Dash, a full sister to all-time leading sire First Down Dash, is the dam of three Grade 1 futurity winners and one Grade 2 futurity winner. She is the second dam of this year's West Texas Futurity (G1) winner and 300-yard world record holder, Fast Prize Zoom.

The previous sale record of $510,000 was set during the 1981 Ruidoso Super Select Sale. The amount was spent on Himito Dancer, a half brother to All American Futurity and All American Derby winner Higheasterjet. The all-time record for a yearling American Quarter Horse was set at the 2001 Vessels/Schvaneveldt Sale, when Corona Caliente sold for $700,000.

Royal Vista Southwest