Diplomat, North Star Boy among jumpers in Maryland sale

Diplomat, the early season leader in earnings among steeplechase horses following his win in last month’s $75,000 Carolina Cup, is among 16 horses in the catalog for the inaugural sale of steeplechase prospects and proven competitors at Shawan Downs in Baltimore County, Md., on Sunday.

The sale, held in conjunction with a symposium directed at attracting new owners, begins at 1 p.m. Eastern.

The 6-year-old Diplomat was purchased by owner-trainer Jimmy Day at last fall’s Doncaster sale in England for about $18,000. He graduated from the novice division to the open stakes ranks with his win in the Carolina Cup on March 28. Diplomat, a son of Kitten’s Joy, is being pointed to the Grade 2, $75,000 David Semmes Memorial Stakes on the Virginia Gold Cup program on May 2 at The Plains, Va.

The catalog also includes North Star Boy, an Irish-bred 6-year-old gelding trained by Niall Saville. Imported to the United States in 2013, North Star Boy, a son of Acclamation, won an optional claimer with a $90,000 purse on the flat at Saratoga last year and then finished sixth, beaten only 2 1/2 lengths, by two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan, in the Grade 2 Bernard Baruch Handicap.

Hall of Fame trainer Jonathan Sheppard, who will be among the guest speakers at the 11 a.m. symposium along with Dogwood Stable founder Cot Campbell and successful small-scale owner Michael T. Wharton, is offering a 2015 lease of 49 percent of his stakes winner Barnstorming.