Pin Oak Stud to disperse majority of its stock at Fasig-Tipton Kentucky mixed sale

Pin Oak Stud, the Central Kentucky farm owned by Josephine Abercrombie, will disperse its remaining broodmares and weanlings and a handful of racing-age fillies at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky mixed sale on Sept. 12 this year, the farm announced on Thursday.

Although 14 retired broodmares and racehorses will remain on the farm, the dispersal represents the end of commercial breeding operations for Pin Oak, which has been downsizing over the past several years as part of a planned exit from the commercial operations. Abercrombie, 95, developed Pin Oak in 1952 with her father, James Smither Abercrombie.

“This has been part of Ms. Abercrombie’s plan all along, as we have been selling mares and downsizing the past few years,” said Clifford Berry, Pin Oak’s farm manager, in a release. “Actually, in keeping to her plan, we have sold more yearlings than we kept in training the past couple of years.”

Pin Oak had already announced that its remaining yearlings, 14 in total, would be sold at the upcoming Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale.

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The mares on offer at the Kentucky sale will include multiple graded stakes winner Overheard, in foal to McKinzie; Grade 2 winner Gold Medal Dancer, in foal to Munnings; and multiple graded stakes winner Don’t Leave Me, in foal to Authentic. Weanlings out of those mares along with others will also be sold at the Kentucky sale.

Denali Stud, owned by Craig and Holly Bandoroff, will act as consignor at the Kentucky sale. Denali has acted as an agent for Pin Oak for 15 years.

“I’ve always considered it a compliment to have the Denali Stud name associated with Pin Oak and Josephine Abercrombie,” Craig Bandoroff said. “Their pursuit of excellence, their integrity, and their highest level of horsemanship have made representing them an honor, not a job. Although I’m saddened to see this day come, I’m proud that we have been asked to represent a woman and a farm that I admire and revere.”

Pin Oak was named the National Thoroughbred Breeder of the Year in 1995 by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. The farm has produced or raced more than 100 stakes winners.