It was the best of times and the best of times, from Monday, December 8 through Saturday, December 13, as Western Bloodstock Ltd.’s 2014 NCHA Futurity Sales set sale session records and concluded with an all-time average of $27,696 – 23% above the previous record of $21,370 set in 2006.

“We felt that sales would be strong, but we never imagined we would top the record average by such a huge amount,” said Jeremy Barwick, who along with his wife, Candace, purchased Western Bloodstock Ltd. in 2012. Last year’s NCHA Futurity Sales average came within $48.00 of breaking the old record.

“We are grateful to the consignors and buyers and feel privileged to be able to contribute to the growth of the cutting horse industry,” added Barwick.

From a total of six sessions, over six days, 614 horses, representing 84% of those offered, sold for a gross of $17,005,850.

The high-selling horse from all sales was 2-year-old Eight Mile, at $400,000. The Metallic Cat son was consigned by his breeder, Crown Ranch, and purchased by Daniel and Nancy Burkes, Hibbing, Minn.

The high-seller on December 13, the last day of the sales, was Bet On A Cat , by High Brow Cat, also consigned by Crown Ranch, and purchased for $110,00 by The Over Forty Ranch, Wichita Falls, Tex.

The top 10 selling lots from all sales averaged $206,200; the top 20 lots averaged $163,400. There were 20 horses that sold for $100,000 or more.

Complete results and catalog can be found at www.westernbloodstock.com