Standardbred Horse Sale at Farm Show Complex is World's Largest
Equestrian News Release

More than 2,000 Horses to Be Sold through Saturday

HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- The world's largest standardbred horse sale is being held at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center through Saturday, Nov. 11, Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff said today.

The sale begins daily at 10 a.m., and almost 400 horses will be sold each day. The first 150 horses sold grossed more than $8.7 million.

"Pennsylvania is a great state for breeding, buying, selling and racing some of the best horses in the world," said Wolff, who purchased a horse at the sale last year. "The past two sales have been record-setting and this year is shaping up to be no different. Each year, the show attracts a growing number of visitors from abroad who want to learn about Pennsylvania's excellent equine industry."

To attract additional international buyers, the Department of Agriculture and the Standardbred Breeders Association of Pennsylvania are providing an incentive package to first-time international buyers. To qualify, buyers must purchase an eligible Pennsylvania-bred yearling. The sale attracts buyers from Scandinavia, France, Italy, Russia, Australia and New Zealand.

Also attending this year's show is former Olympic and professional boxing champion George Foreman, who owns 18 horses and recently was awarded the U.S. Harness Writers Association's Good Guy Award for his work with harness racing.

Standardbreds, noted for their speed and stamina, are most frequently used in harness racing. Consignors from throughout the United States and Canada market yearlings and other Standardbreds during the sale. Complete pedigrees and sale results are available online at http://www.theblackbook.com.

For more information on Pennsylvania's equine and harness racing industries and the Harness Racing Commission, visit http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us, and click on "Commissions and Councils."