In response to the changing racing industry calendar, Fasig-Tipton and the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co. have come to an agreement to swap dates for a pair of yearling sales this October.
Keeneland auctioneer Cris Caldwell, known for his booming baritone and quick wit from the auction stand, died Friday after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 63.
Keeneland will utilize its video capabilities to support consignors and buyers for its September yearling sale in the event that COVID-19 impacts the physical inspection of yearlings or attendance at the sale, the company announced in a recent update on its operations.
Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton, the two major Lexington, Ky.-based Thoroughbred auction companies, have jointly announced restrictions on the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, and bronchodilators including Clenbuterol, for horses at their auctions, effective immediately.
Fasig-Tipton, one of the nation's major auction companies, has announced that it will consolidate its three summer selected yearling sales into a single sale in September in Kentucky, the first concrete effect of the coronavirus pandemic on the yearling sale calendar.
Gulfstream Park held North America's first 2-year-old races of the season in mid-April, a welcome look to the future in the midst of the evolving coronavirus pandemic. However, the immediate future for this division remains uncertain. The pandemic forced the cancellation of Keeneland's spring meeting, which traditionally opens the 2-year-old season, as well as the final weeks of Aqueduct's spring meet, which also cards juvenile action. Belmont Park and Churchill Downs have pushed back their upcoming meets; Churchill was to have contested a rich early-season target in the $150,000 Kentucky Juvenile, part of the now-postponed Kentucky Derby week.
With a global pandemic disrupting racing and sales in Europe, the auction companies Arqana, based in France, and Goffs UK will join forces to hold a 2-year-old sale in Ireland on June 29 and 30.
The online auction company ThoroughbredAuctions.com will conduct a digital spring mixed sale from May 20 to 27, which has the potential to be the company’s biggest foray yet into the Thoroughbred bloodstock world.
The Texas Thoroughbred Association has announced both the addition of a horses of racing age session to its annual yearling auction Aug. 24 at Lone Star Park and consignor incentives for the sale.
Fasig-Tipton is expanding its opportunities for buyers to bid on horses remotely, announcing that it will offer online bidding at all its live auctions.
