Stallion seasons highlight TAA benefit auction on Eclipse eve

A “Celebration of the Thoroughbred” party, featuring a benefit auction, will be held on the eve of the Eclipse Awards, on Friday, Jan. 17, at Gulfstream Park to benefit the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA).

The event will be held in Gulfstream Park’s walking ring, beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern, and is open to the public with a minimum $20 donation. The event will be highlighted by live, silent and online auctions, beginning at 8:30 p.m., with proceeds going to supporting retired Thoroughbreds in the TAA’s programs.

Among the items to be auctioned are seasons to 16 stallions, including Adena Springs sire Macho Uno, the sire of 2013 Breeders’ Cup Classic Winner Mucho Macho Man. The horse, an Eclipse Award finalist as Horse of the Year and champion older male, is expected to make his seasonal debut in the Sunshine Millions Classic Jan. 18 at Gulfstream, hours before the awards are presented.

Other sires with seasons being auctioned are Grade 1 winners Discreetly Mine, Turbo Compressor, Wrote, and Yes It’s True; and graded stakes winners Duke of Mischief, Gone Astray, High Cotton, Pleasant Strike, and With Distinction.

Other auction items include a painting of reigning Horse of the Year Wise Dan by noted equine artist Robert Clark; a trip to the 2014 Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita Park complete with airfare, box seats and a two-night stay at the Langham Hotel; box seats and a hotel for opening weekend at Saratoga Race Course; a signed Miami Heat basketball; two tickets and hotel to the 2014 Preakness; and four days and three nights at the Westin Beach Resort and Spa in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.