1325 N. Tegner St., Wickenburg, AZ 85390
 

Top High-Selling Horses of 2023

The Horse Sale at Rancho Rio presented by Gold Buckle Beer took place Saturday, March 11, in Wickenburg, Arizona, in conjunction with the National Team Roping (NTR) National Finals IX. The 64 consignments at the ninth annual sale drew spectators and buyers from all over the world and saw $2.39 million in team roping horsepower go through the sale ring. With 44 horses sold, the overall sale average was $54,409.

THE HORSE SALE RESULTS


LOT 6: TRR KADABRA CAT - $160,000

TRR Kadabra Cat, was the high seller when the hammer dropped at $160,000. “Honkey Tonk” was consigned by Brooke and Rodey Wilson of Wilson Cattle Company out of Canyon, Texas, and marks the couple's second consecutive high seller at Rancho Rio. The 2015 red roan gelding was purchased by Javier Rodriguez of Las Vegas, Nevada. The Wilsons purchased Honkey Tonk—by Cats Hillbilly out of TRR Acres of Grass—from Texas' Tongue River Ranch as a 3-year-old. He sports the Tongue River Ranch's Crooked T brand on his left hip, signifying the gelding was bred on the ranch.

“Those ranch horses that carry those brands mean something to us,” said Brooke, an environmental consultant in the oilfield when she's not ranching or roping. “It's kind of a pride deal that we like to showcase. It's not just a new fad; it's horses that have been through the program.”