Morrisville State holds record-breaking Standardbred sale

Ed Stone sat eagerly with a pen in his hand, marking up a sales booklet and keeping a close eye on a couple of his “favorite” Standardbreds as they entered the sale ring.



“I never miss this,” said the Vermont resident who has been making the trip to Morrisville State's Annual Standardbred Sale for 20 years. This year's sale topped all others he has ever seen, breaking records in the top sale of a horse, the college's sale average and overall attendance.



College-bred and raised yearling, Royal Encore, topped sales at $85,000, the highest price paid for a horse in the 25-year history of the sale. The top seller is a yearling of champion RC Royalty, who became the fastest 2-year-old trotting colt ever in the NYSS on a half-mile track by virtue of his 1:58.2 score at Saratoga Gaming and Raceway in 2005. RC Royalty also holds the Massachusetts Sire Stake record for 3-year-old trotting colts of 1:59.4.



Morrisville State was the top consigner, selling 11 yearlings for an average of $28,636, its highest average ever. The college also laid claim to two other highest-selling horses at $42,000 and $40,000. The twenty-fifth annual Standardbred sale took in nearly $1.4 million. A total of 130 yearlings were sold at an average of $10,715.



“We had some of the best horses ever produced at MSC in this sale,” said Dr. Christopher Nyberg, dean of the School of Agriculture, Sustainability, Business and Entrepreneurship.



The highly anticipated event drew a record crowd of more than 2,000 potential buyers, sellers, trainers and owners from across the Northeast and Canada, despite overcast skies and intermittent rain. Morrisville State's Standardbred sale is considered the largest sale of its kind in New York State.



The college's equine students were involved with all aspects of the event and played an integral factor in its success.



“We had a wonderful response from the harness horse industry. It is a testament to the quality of the horses and the professionalism of our faculty, staff, and students,” Dr. Nyberg said.



Students clad in professional black suits added allure to the sleek Standardbreds they led to the show ring.



Erika Miller, of Perry, and Carrie Herzog, of Eden, both equine science western and breaking majors, were among equine students who served as second leaders in the sale, prepping the horses before they headed to the show ring.



Paige Campagna, of Brewster, an equine science breeding major, was among Morrisville equine students showing horses to potential buyers, while also answering their questions. Other students were busy bedding stalls, grooming, and had a hand in setting up the business office.



The college's Standardbred sale is a major industry-based entrepreneurial activity for its equine programs and a vehicle to showcase the campus. Profits go toward general maintenance and enrichment of the college's equine programs.



Morrisville State offers a bachelor of technology degree in equine science and two associate degrees in equine racing management and equine science and management. The diverse equine science curriculum includes specializations in breeding, western, hunt seat, draft/driving, thoroughbred racing, Standardbred racing, business, and equine rehabilitation therapy.