The Corona Cartel colt was consigned by Julianna Hawn Holt and purchased by Abigail Kawananakoa, who was represented by Native Tea Rose in Monday’s $2.4 million All American Futurity. Native Tea Rose was a $330,000 purchase in last year’s Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale.
Spirit Leader is also a half-brother to graded stakes winner Leading Diva and the stakes-placed Toast To Texas.
Overall, the Friday night yearling offering was off 5.6 percent. This year, 94 yearlings sold during the first night averaged $34,395. Last year, 99 yearlings sold on the opening night averaged $36,426. This year’s opening night figures are similar to the 2010 sale when 105 opening-night yearlings averaged $34,575.
The second high-selling horse to change hands was another son of Corona Cartel, One Slick Cartel. He was consigned by Burns Ranch and purchased by Jesus Garera Garcia on a bid of $112,000.
One Slick Cartel is out of the stakes-placed competitor and stakes-winning producer One Slick Cookie, a daughter of Dash For Cash. This is the family of champion One Famous Eagle, the sire of All American Futurity finalist One Dashing Eagle, and 2012 Rainbow Futurity winner Carters Cookie.