Thoroughbred owner partnerships will be a significant part of the action when Fasig-Tipton hosts its yearling sales in the Humphrey S. Finney Pavilion this month in Saratoga Springs. Partnerships took center stage in that very pavilion in 2018 when Cot Campbell, the father of the modern concept with his Dogwood Stables, was inducted into the National Racing Museum and Hall of Fame as a Pillar of the Turf. “Well if I didn’t do it, someone else certainly would have sooner or later,” the late Campbell said in his acceptance speech about creating Dogwood, which campaigned a pair of American classic winners in 1990 Preakness winner Summer Squall and 2013 Belmont winner Palace Malice. Campbell estimated he brought more than 1,200 people into ownership through his vision of spreading out both the risks and rewards of campaigning racehorses. “One of the things I’m happiest about is the fact that partnerships have brought people into the sport who would not have been able to do it on their own,” Campbell said. “It has energized racing and convinced a lot of talented and dedicated people to get into the game.” Recent years have borne out Campbell’s vision, as a number of American classic winners over the last decade have been owned wholly or in part by partnerships that have brought a number of people along for the ride. Those partnerships are highlighted by 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify, as Starlight Racing gave a group of owners the thrill of a lifetime, holding a minority share in the crowded winner’s circle with China Horse Club, WinStar Farm, and Sol Kumin’s Head of Plains. Starlight purchased a racing interest in the colt in March of that year, and then split its interest into 10 shares. “We’re just tickled to death that we’re along for the ride,” Starlight founder Jack Wolf said during the 2018 Triple Crown run. Other classic winners in the last decade involving partnerships are 2017 Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming (owned in part by West Point Thoroughbreds, with Brooklyn Boyz Stables, Teresa Viola Racing, Siena Farm, MeB Racing Stables, and St. Elias), 2017 Belmont winner Tapwrit (Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, with Robert LaPenta and Bridlewood Farm), 2020 Belmont winner Tiz the Law (Sackatoga Stables), and 2020 Derby winner Authentic (MyRacehorse and Starlight, with Spendthrift Farm and Madaket Stables). Most recently in the Belmont Stakes, winner Mo Donegal, owned by Donegal Racing in partnership with Mike Repole, led home the filly Nest, owned by Eclipse, Repole, and Michael House. “I want to thank all the partners of Donegal Racing. They’ve believed and today they’ve been rewarded,” Jerry Crawford, the owner of Donegal Racing, said after the Belmont. “I think this victory shows that the sport is more accessible than they may realize.” Nest recently won the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga for Eclipse, which merged with Dogwood as Campbell wound down his operations, with many former Dogwood partners continuing on to become involved with additional racehorses. It has been a fine summer at Saratoga thus far for fillies campaigned by partnerships. Mo Donegal’s half-sister Prank, owned by the Starlight offshoot StarLadies Racing, with LNJ Foxwoods and Gainesway, has been one of the most impressive 2-year-old winners of the meet, taking her debut by 9 3/4 lengths and earning a 91 Beyer Speed Figure. This year’s older horse ranks have also shown how partnerships can bring excitement to the masses. Country Grammer won the Dubai World Cup in March for Commonwealth Thoroughbreds partners, with WinStar Farm and Zedan Racing. On the Belmont Stakes undercard, Flightline remained undefeated by winning the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap, for co-owner West Point, with Hronis Racing, Siena, Summer Wind Farm, and Woodford Racing. Terry Finley of West Point said that Flightline’s continued success is a benefit to the sport. “He’s owned by people who have worked hard and developed a love for our sport and have come together,” Finley said. “I think that’s a great signal to send to people who are looking at our industry.” Flightline is a seven-figure graduate of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga selected yearling sale, as is West Point’s multiple graded stakes-winning colorbearer First Captain. Many partnerships will be shopping at this month’s upcoming sales looking for future racing stock – and, subsequently, looking for partners who are interested in those horses and want to become involved in the action. Making purchases at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga selected sale were partnerships including West Point, classic-winning Centennial Racing, Starlight, and MyRacehorse – the latter part of the growing “microshare” model of partnership. At last year’s Fasig-Tipton New York-bred sale, participating partnerships included Sackatoga and Donegal, among others, including regionally based groups such as Empire Racing, Zilla Racing, and Dream Maker Racing. Sackatoga was back in the headlines two years ago with Tiz the Law, after previously campaigning the New York-bred dual classic winner and champion Funny Cide. In the accompanying advertising section, learn more about partnerships that will be shopping for yearlings at the upcoming sales. To learn more or to inquire about joining, contact the outfits directly.