By Linda Scrivner
SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. - The Christmas At Sand Creek Sale was another outstanding sale on Dec. 9 - 11, 2004. This sale had some amazing figures for horses sold at public sale, just as their Yearling Spectacular Sale did during the 2004 Celebration when the top 10 average was $21,150.
Sand creek was the first sale in the industry to offer the “same day settlement”policy and that has been a magnet to attract sale entries. “People love the idea of not having to wait for their money and we are proud to have been the first sale to initiate this practice, says Brian Kilgore.
The crowd enjoyed the “Cafe at the Creek”, the on-site restaurant that offered delicious meals and coffee to battle the cold outside the sales arena.Trainers also enjoyed complimentary lunches for the three days of the sale.
World Champion Figgy Puddin’ was the highest selling entry of the sale. Ron Jones purchased this blazed-faced mare, consigned by Bud Moore and presented by Knox Blackburn.
General manager and sale veteran Kenny Lawrence and assistant manager Brian Kilgore of Sand Creek Sales were extremely pleased with the prices and the amount of horses that sold. This extremely successful event was held at the Sand Creek Farm Sales facility in Shelbyville, Tenn., with a huge crowd in attendance.
“We thank you for your continued support of our sales at Sand Creek. We feel this is the largest group of high-quality show horses ever assembled for a public auction. Without your cooperation, these sales would be impossible to produce. Look for our specialty sales in the upcoming months, as we work toward making this facility the hub of Walking Horse activity in Middle Tennessee,” Bob Kilgore exclaimed.
Their statements are supported by numbers from their sale. The top five selling horses averaged $34,800 and the top 10 averaged $26,675.
The three-day event got underway on a successful note with the Thursday broodmares, weanling, yearlings and pleasure horses sale. Mares in foal to stallions such as Pusher’s High Voltage, Pushover’s Heartbeat, Generator’s Showboat, Gen’s Way High Willie, Ultra Copy, I’m Johnny Cash, Electrifying, Out On Parole, JFK, Pride’s Main Man, Pusher’s Black Hawk, Broken Promises, Generator’s Silver Dollar, The Whole Nine Yards, Big Rock E.R., All American Cash, Stonecutter, Generator’s Man Of Magic, Gen’s Armed And Dangerous, Cash For Keeps, Bold Design, A Jazzman, Solar Generated, The Pushover, Eb’s Night Owl, Chance’s Ivory Mist, Generator’s Proud Rebel, Gen’s Sunfire, Dark Design, Gen’s Attaboy and many more commanded heavy bidding.
When the bidding stopped Friday evening in the Pleasure and Performance session, proud new owner Ron Jones, purchased the top seller on Friday, Overdrawn. This 11-year-old gelding, winner in 2004 stake and 15.2 and Under classes, was presented by consignor Alvin Strickland. Overdrawn was also the fourth highest entry in the sale.
Figgy Pudding was the top selling show horse Saturday during this exciting sale which had a full house with standing room only. Figgy Puddin’ was sold for $50,000. Master Gunsmoke received the second top spot Saturday. This 13-year-old grey stallion with 2 world championships and 5 reserve world championships, sold for $42,000. Master’s Gunsmoke was consigned by S.E. L. Group and was purchased by Dr. Jim and Lisa Baum. This sale cause much excitement with heavy bidding for the popular grey stallion. This was an emotional sale with cheering as the Baums and the Finish Line Farm crew said, “Gunsmoke’s coming home. Sam Caldwell would have been proud.” Sam Caldwell won his first world championship with Gunsmoke in fine harness while fighting cancer.
The Delivery Man, consigned by Connie Johns and Robin Smith and presented by Todd Smith, claimed the third position in the sale. This roan three-year-old gelding by Pusher’s Wining Secret was purchased by Mark Williams.
The 3rd annual event was prepared and presented with care, class and attention to detail. “We couldn’t be happier with our 2004 sales events, “ said Bob Kilgore. “We owe a huge thanks to our consignors and buyers who put their faith in us to provide them with the best outlet for selling their horses.”
Sand Creek’s next big event, the 3rd Annual Breeders’ Classic Two and Three-Year-Old Sale will be held March 4-5, 2005. Their next event will be the Sand Creek Sales’ Trainers’ Show and Select Broodmare Sale. This sale will feature only broodmares that have been vet checked and certified safe in foal or who have a foal at her side.
3rd Annual Sand Creek Christmas Sale
TOP FIVE AVERAGE: $34,800
TOP TEN AVERAGE: $26,675
TOP TWO SELLING ENTRIES:
#1 - $50,000
#2 - $42,000
TOP TEN:
1.Figgy Puddin’,
Consigned by Bud Moore, purchased by Ron Jones
2. Master’s Gunsmoke,
Consigned by S.E.L. Group, purchased by Dr. Jim and Lisa Baum
3. The Delivery Man,
Consigned by Connie Johns and Robin Smith, purchased by Mark Williams
4. Overdrawn,
Consigned by Alvin Strickland, purchased by Ron Jones
5. Down Town Buster Brown,
Consigned by Brandye Mills, purchased by Neal Holland
6. Cash’s Sweet & Low,
Consigned by Victory Farms, purchased by Linda Brown
7. Catin’ Around,
Consigned by Jimmy Lackey, purchased by Jack Heffington
8. Jazz Queen,
Consigned by Victory Farms, purchased by Kenny Compton
9. Beamin’ Dollar,
Consigned by S.E.L. Group, purchased by Sandra Means
10. Bellagio,
Consigned by Bruce MacDonald, purchased by Dick Peebles family