Barretts, Fairplex Park merge to form Barretts Sales and Racing

Barretts Equine Ltd. and Fairplex Park Racing have merged to form Barretts Sales and Racing.

The Pomona, Calif.-based sales company holds the majority of its auctions at Fairplex Park, on the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds. The combined entity encompasses the equine auctions, the racetrack, the live race meet, the pavilion and the barns.

“This is very exciting news for equine business at Fairplex. Barretts Sales and Racing will gain more momentum in the horse industry along with a strong message that if it’s equine, it’s Barretts,” said Jim Henwood, President and CEO of the Los Angeles County Fair Association. “The new name, logo and brand offer a cohesive identification of the various equine businesses and capitalize on the already strong Barretts reputation in the racing industry.”

The live meet, to be held this year from Sept. 6-22, will now be referred to as Barretts Race Meet at Fairplex.

Celebrating its 75th meet in 2013, Fairplex was the first track in Southern California to allow fans to bet on the races, when pari-mutuel wagering was legalized in 1933.

Barretts was formed in 1989 and opened with its inaugural March sale of selected 2-year-olds in training the following year. Since then, the company has grown to become the leading auction facility west of the Mississippi River. In addition to holding sales at Fairplex, Barretts holds paddock sales at Del Mar and Santa Anita.

“This is a brand that resonates within the industry and strongly unites equine sales and horse racing under the Barretts umbrella,” said Kim Lloyd, general manager of Barretts Sales & Racing. “Barretts is well known and respected throughout the equine industry and this move shows our commitment to horse racing. The new name clearly represents our business and our dedication to excellence in equine sales and horse racing,”

Barretts will host this year’s March sale of selected 2-year-olds in training on March 4, with a starting time of 3 p.m. Pacific. The under-tack show will take place on March 1, beginning at 10 a.m. Pacific.