While the past century has brought myriad changes in the Thoroughbred industry, there are a handful of things that remain certain: The sun will rise in the east, the seasons will come and go, and a Hancock will be in charge at Claiborne Farm. Walker Hancock, 27, became the fourth generation to assume control of the historic farm in 2014, taking over as Claiborne's president from his father, Seth.
The yearling market has been a story of highs and lows in 2016, but the truest measure of its status will come during the Keeneland September yearling sale. But the horses that will occupy the Keeneland stalls in the coming weeks will be surrounded by an air of uncertainty.
Following are horses to watch during Book 1 of the Keeneland September yearling sale, which comprises the first three sessions. Horses were selected based on their pedigrees and past auction results of notable family members. Conformation, veterinarian records, and pedigree updates after deadline were not taken into consideration.
Orb and Shanghai Bobby are lighting up the board in tandem with their first crops of yearlings and will be among the major players at the Keeneland September yearling sale, which begins Sept. 12. Orb and Shanghai Bobby's strong early commercial results lead the way for a solid, sizeable group of first-year yearling sires who were quite accomplished on the racetrack.
The commercial Thoroughbred industry tends to operate within a bubble, generally impervious to the tumult of the outside world except for extreme exceptions. That trend will be put to the test starting Monday, as the Keeneland September yearling sale begins its two-week run in what is an uncertain world.
Fasig-Tipton is expanding its sales facility in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., with the acquisition of additional properties that are likely to be used for parking during auctions.
The fourth edition of the Equine Sales Co. of Louisiana consignor-select yearling sale closed on Tuesday with gains across the board, highlighted by a $145,000 Into Mischief colt.
Despite efforts from the Ontario division of the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society to attract buyers with more than $100,000 in incentives, Thursday’s Canadian Premier Yearling Sale at Woodbine saw declines from 2015.
A filly by the first-crop stallion Smiling Tiger was purchased for $130,000, making her the most expensive horse of Tuesday’s Barretts select yearling sale at Del Mar.
The catalog for the 2016 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic fall yearling sale is now online, with 360 horses on offer. The auction will take place Tuesday, Oct. 4 at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium.
