LEXINGTON, Ky. – Tom Roach, co-breeder of dual classic winner and 1999 Horse of the Year Charismatic, died Sept. 3 after a long illness. He was 63.

Thompson Marcus Roach II operated Parrish Hill Farm in Midway, Ky., on property originally farmed by his great, great uncle, the breeder James Parrish, in the early 1900s. Roach’s father, Dr. Ben Roach, also bred horses at the farm, including such greats as 1984 champion older female Princess Rooney. The elder Roach died in 2005.

Pedigree analysts and bloodstock advisors have teamed up with researchers specializing in genetics, racehorse training, and veterinary medicine to form Performance Genetics. The bloodstock consultancy will use a proprietary DNA database to evaluate genetic, cardiovascular, and statistical data points and make predictions about unraced Thoroughbreds’ performance potential and the performance potential of prospective matings.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Acclamation almost certainly clinched the title of California-bred horse of the year for 2011 with his brave win in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar last Sunday.

Acclamation is the leading California-bred money winner this year, with $1,036,000, and has won three Grade 1 races. Before the Pacific Classic, Acclamation won two Grade 1 races on turf – the Charles Whittingham Handicap at Hollywood Park and the Eddie Read Stakes at Del Mar.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – A total of 459 Canadian-breds yearlings have been cataloged for the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society’s annual sale at the Woodbine Sales Pavilion on Sept. 5, 6 and 10.

A new format this year has the selected session divided into two days, instead of one. The sale begins at 7 p.m. on Monday, and the selected portion of the auction will continue on Tuesday beginning at 2 p.m. with Hip No. 71.

James Gagliano has been around racetracks most of his life, and since the start of 2010, he has been the president and chief operating officer of the Jockey Club. Before being hired by the Jockey Club in 2005, Gagliano had worked in front-side roles at tracks in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New Jersey, including Monmouth Park. Most recently, Gagliano has taken a leading role in a marketing effort announced by the Jockey Club in mid-August at the organization’s Round Table conference.

Everyone is wondering if the bullish yearling markets at Fasig-Tipton July and Saratoga will continue at the Keeneland September yearling sale, which begins Sept. 11 with two evenings of select quality individuals.

As recently as five years ago, the market for stallion prospects was flush, thanks to bidding wars between Sheikh Mohammed al-Maktoum and Coolmore Stud, easy credit for equine investments, and wealthy speculators who were happy to put money in stallion shares.

On a recent August evening, a group of wealthy individuals arrived for an exclusive party at Jeffrey Strauss’s beachfront house not far from the Del Mar racetrack. As the guests enjoyed the view from Strauss’s backyard overlooking the Pacific Ocean, their host plied them with Kobe beef and lamb sliders, seafood paella, sushi, and more. Strauss is executive chef and owner of Pamplemousse Grille in Solana Beach, Calif., but he is also a racehorse owner, and it was as much for this sporting enthusiasm that the Keeneland Association had asked to use his home for this party.

This will be the second year under Keeneland’s new format, with a super-select Book 1 selling Sunday and Monday nights, Sept. 11 and 12. In total, 211 hips are offered in the first 2 sessions, although there will undoubtedly be a few lots withdrawn before the sale. Of the 4,319 yearlings cataloged in the sale over 13 days, these are the crème de la crème, as determined by the Keeneland selection committee and the consignors. 

Fast facts

When: Sept. 11-24

Where: Keeneland Association sale pavilion, 4201 Versailles Rd., Lexington, Ky., 40510

Phone: (859) 254-3412 or (800) 456-3412

Yearlings: 4,319, down from last year’s 4,857