Barretts putting on its largest sale

At least one record will fall at this week's Barretts October mixed sale in Pomona. The company is offering the largest event in its history, selling 782 horses on Monday and Tuesday.

The massive sale primarily comprises broodmares, along with yearlings, weanlings, horses of racing age, and a few stallions.

The sale has two tough acts to follow.

At the 2002 October mixed sale, average price grew 43 percent to $7,510. Seven of the 10 most expensive hips were from the Golden Eagle consignment, including three broodmares, two weanlings, one 2-year-old, and one horse of racing age.

Earlier this month, Barretts had a successful October yearling sale, with the average growing 8 percent to $13,619 and the gross increasing by 18 percent.

Gerald McMahon, president of Barretts, said the yearling sale and the mixed sale "are two different worlds," but said the presence of the Breeders' Cup at nearby Santa Anita on Saturday has led to strong interest.

"It's a large number in the market at one time," he said of the number of horses in the sale. "We have to see if we have enough buyers to make it work. This is the largest number we've ever sold.

"We've had some benefit from the Breeders' Cup. People are coming to the Breeders' Cup and are staying over."

The largest consignments are from Cardiff Stud Farm, Golden Eagle Farm, Andy Havens Bloodstock, Hideaway Farm, Mary Knight, Lov Acres Ranch, River Edge Farm, and Nancy Yearsley Bloodstock.

"This is kind of like a swap meet with people trading horses," McMahon said.

The River Edge consignment consists of 36 broodmares. The farm is offering a unique proposal to buyers: The 10 most expensive mares bought from their consignment will receive seasons to Tribal Rule, who stood his first season in 2003. Tribal Rule won 2 of 4 starts in a career cut short by injury.

The 11th through 20th most expensive mares from the River Edge consignment will receive seasons to Benchmark, the sire of top California-bred 2-year-old Don'tsellmeshort.

McMahon said some bids could come through the company's website, barretts.com, although he expects that to be limited to broodmare buyers who are less focused on conformation issues.

Malek to Pepper Oaks Farm for 2004

Malek, a multiple stakes winner who earned $2,382,623, will stand the 2004 season at Pepper Oaks Farm in Santa Ynez, Calif. Malek, 10, will stand for $5,000, live foal.

Malek was a champion 2-year-old in Chile and won two Group 1 races in that country.

In the United States, he won the 1998 Santa Anita Handicap and finished second in the San Pasqual Handicap.

As a 6-year-old in 1999, Malek finished second in the Dubai World Cup and placed in three other races, including the Hollywood Gold Cup.

Malek began his stud career in South America, then moved to the United States in 2001. His oldest North American foals are yearlings.

Candy Ride's sire to stand for $7,500

Ride the Rails, the sire of Pacific Classic winner Candy Ride, will stand for $7,500 at Pegasus Ranch near Petaluma, Calif. Ride the Rails, who previously stood at stud in Argentina, raced in the United States, winning 10 of 14 starts and $255,096. He won the Foolish Pleasure Breeders' Cup Stakes and was second to Holy Bull in the 1994 Florida Derby.

Candy Ride developed into a top handicap horse in California this year, going unbeaten in three starts. He won an allowance race at Hollywood Park in June, the Grade 2 American Handicap on turf at Hollywood Park in July, and the Pacific Classic in August.

An Argentine-bred, Candy Ride is out of training but will be pointed for major races in early 2004, trainer Ron McAnally said.