Texas-breds are receiving a raise during the 2024 Thoroughbred race meets at Class 1 tracks in Texas. The Texas Thoroughbred Association, Texas Horsemen's Partnership, Sam Houston Race Park and Lone Star Park came together to collectively approve the new purse structure alteration.
For 2024, Texas-bred maiden special weight and allowance races will carry a minimum purse of $40,000 at Sam Houston and Lone Star Park. This is being accomplished by reconfiguring the allocation of funds provided by the TTA to the tracks from the Texas Horse Industry Escrow Account (HIEA). The minimum purse of $40,000 for these races is a $7,000 increase per race – a 21% increase over 2023 levels for the same race conditions.
“It is gratifying to see what can be accomplished when the Thoroughbred industry and the racetracks work together. Supporting Texas horse owners and breeders and promoting the value of Texas-bred horses is our number one priority,” commented Tracy Sheffield, President of the Texas Thoroughbred Association.
HB 2463 was passed in the 2019 legislative session. Derived from a portion of state sales taxes on equine goods and services, it provides up to $25-million per year to stimulate the Texas Equine Industry, with 70% ($17.5 million) earmarked for purse funds and the remaining 30% ($7.5 million) available to the official state breed registries (TTA, TQHA, TABA, TPHA) for Texas Racing Commission-approved events and programs. Funds became available in 2020.
“The purse restructuring shows dedication to Texas-breds on the racetrack and it has a positive impact on a large number of Texas horsemen,” said Bryan Pettigrew, Vice President and General Manager of Sam Houston Race Park. “The owners and trainers I have spoken with are praising the change. It's putting more money on the table for Texas-breds.”
Finalizing the purse transition comes at an opportune time. The Texas Thoroughbred Association's annual Summer Yearling Sale is August 28. According to TTA, the sale will be one of the largest in history and there's a tremendous level of excitement and anticipation for Monday's sale. Of the 271 catalogued sale entries, almost 100 are Texas-breds, proving they are in high demand, thanks in part to the numerous Texas breeders' incentives now in place and proven by their success on the racetrack.
One of the largest consignors at the sale is Highlander Training Center whose catalogue includes 22 Texas-breds in Monday's yearling sale.
“Increasing purse money for Texas-breds and raising the level of maiden special weight purses will absolutely have a positive impact on the yearling sale,” noted Jeff Hooper, Chairman & CEO at Highlander Training Center. “Purses drive the business, and this very positive news will create increased enthusiasm and interest among owners and trainers looking for quality Texas-bred racing prospects.”
Since the passage of House Bill 2463, the racing program has been expanded in the state. First of all, the Texas Thoroughbred Association Futurity at Lone Star Park was revamped with a $150,000 purse for each division. The $100,000 Texas Thoroughbred Association Derby and Oaks were both added to the Sam Houston Race Park calendar to further support the industry. Numerous top stallions have moved into the state, strengthening the Texas Stallion Stakes, a six-race series for the offspring of participating Texas stallions. The increase in Texas-bred maiden special weight and allowance race purses is the latest development. The overall 2024 HIEA plan is pending Texas Racing Commission approval.
The Texas Thoroughbred Association's Summer Yearling Sale has been a proven source of runners for years, but it has also become a target for pinhookers to secure young horses that have become profitable sales during the ensuing 2-year-olds in training auction season.
In the following list, we'll take a look at the 10 most profitable pinhooks by gross that were initially purchased out of the 2022 Texas sale, and resold during this year's juvenile sale season.
While each of the top pinhooks started their journeys in the same sale ring, their paths from there have shown that success can come at different levels and from different venues.
Some of the horses on this list went on to be high-end sellers at global-level 2-year-old sales, bringing in six figures. Others were purchased for modest sums and brought in healthy returns coming back to the Lone Star State to be resold at the TTA's 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale.
Regardless of a buyer's roadmap, opportunity abounds at the Texas Summer Yearling Sale, and the next edition will take place Monday, Aug. 28, at Lone Star Park. To view the online catalog for this year's sale, click here.
#1 – Blue Eyed George
B. c., 2021, Flameaway x Acting Naughty, by Offlee Wild
Bought for $50,000 by Grassroots Training & Sales
Sold for $200,000 at OBS Spring Sale Gross Revenue: $150,000
The star of the class is a Louisiana-bred from the first crop of sire Flameaway, out of a Grade 3 winner. He was offered at the Texas sale by Clear Creek Stud.
Grassroots Training and Sales purchased heavily out of the 2022 sale, and this colt not only turned the biggest gross profit of the bunch; his 300 percent return on investment also made him the most profitable versus the initial investment, as well.
“Like every pinhooker will tell you, he had the physical,” said David McKathan of Grassroots Training and Sales. “He had a fast body. He was the kind of horse that most pinhookers would buy.”
Blue Eyed George breezed an eighth of a mile in :10 1/5 seconds during the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co. Spring 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale, and he sold to bloodstock agent Dennis O'Neill for $200,000.
“He did everything right,” McKathan said. “He was one of those good-minded horses where there were no glitches, and went through the year good. He was an extremely precocious kind of horse.”
In addition to being one of the standouts of the 2022 Texas yearling sale by return on investment, he has also proven to be one of the sale's early stars on the racetrack. Racing for owner BG Stables and trainer Michael McCarthy, Blue Eyed George won at first asking going a mile over the turf at Ellis Park on July 31.
#2 – Larin
Ch. f., 2021, Commissioner x Union Silk, by Union Rags
Bought for $45,000 by Scanlon Training & Sales
Sold for $160,000 at OBS Spring Sale Gross Revenue: $115,000
This Louisiana-bred first foal out of the Union Rags mare Union Silk, along with buyer Robert Scanlon, benefitted greatly from being in the right place at the right time, in relation to her sire. Commissioner was sold to stand in Saudi Arabia in 2020, and Larin went through the ring at the OBS Spring Sale shortly after Commissioner King won the Saudi Derby, and she was secured by HRH Prince Saud Bin Salman Racing Stable.
“She had a great body, all the right parts,” Scanlon said. “She was kind of a tall, leggy filly. She just looked racy, just had all the right parts. Had a great angle to her shoulder, good hip, and she walked nice. All-around athletic. Commissioner wasn't crazy-hot, but he was doing well with some fillies like Con Lima, so we didn't really set out to buy a Commissioner, but we actually just thought as an individual, she was extremely athletic and we were really impressed.”
Larin was consigned at the Texas Yearling Sale by Highlander Training Center, agent.
#3 – Good N Sassy
Gr. or ro. f., 2021, Good Magic x Classy Grey Lassie, by Silver Train
Bought for $50,000 by Scanlon Training & Sales
Sold for $130,000 at OBS Spring Sale Gross Revenue: $80,000
Another horse where Scanlon benefitted from buying in on a stallion just before a commercial upswing.
This time around, Scanlon landed a Louisiana-bred filly out of a two-time winner, consigned by Oakridge Farm. Good N Sassy was offered at the OBS Spring Sale as Good Magic's first crop of 3-year-olds were making noise on the Kentucky Derby trail, and the filly breezed in :10 1/5 seconds before selling to J. Stevens Bloodstock, agent, for $130,000.
“We were very much attracted to her being a Good Magic,” Scanlon said. “We liked her pedigree, but she looked very fast. She had a strong hip and just looked very speedy, so we said if we could get a Good Magic here in one of these regional markets, that's really good, plus one that could work fast.
“We just struck at the right time,” he continued. “Good Magic was just starting to heat up. If it was this year, I think it would be a much tougher challenge. He was just getting going, so we struck just before the Good Magic mania started.”
#4 – Girl Likes Bling
B. f., 2021, El Deal x Moonlit Bayou, by Mr. Greeley
Bought for $15,000 by Keiber Rengifo
Sold for $85,000 at OBS March Sale Gross Revenue: $70,000
The fifth foal out of Moonlit Bayou, this Louisiana-bred was consigned at the Texas sale by KP Sales, agent, and the filly was sent to the following year's OBS March sale, where she breezed a quarter-mile in :21-flat for the Golden Rock Thoroughbreds consignment.
Girl Likes Bling was purchased by Jose Camejo for $85,000, and she has raced three times for owner Shooters Shoot Stable and trainer Rylee Magnon. She finished second on debut at Louisiana Downs, then she ran second in the D. S. Shine Young Futurity at Evangeline Downs.
Support our journalism
If you appreciate our work, you can support us by subscribing to our Patreon stream. Learn more.
#5 – Andy's Candy
B. g., 2021, Practical Joke x In Gold Blood, by My Golden Song
Bought for $28,000 by CJ Thoroughbreds
Sold for $84,000 at Texas 2-Year-Old Sale Gross Revenue: $56,000
Hailing from the family of the great Alysheba, this gelding was consigned at the Texas Yearling Sale by KP Sales, agent. When he returned to Lone Star Park for the following year's Texas 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale, he was with the Pike Racing consignment, and breezed a furlong in :10 1/5 seconds before selling to the partnership of JD Thoroughbred, Larry Romero, and Joe Davis. He's training toward his debut start at Ellis Park.
#6 – Bacliff
Ch. f., 2021, Khozan x Cameron Crazies, by Lion Heart
Bought for $7,000 by Al Pike, agent
Sold for $52,000 at Texas 2-Year-Old Sale Gross Revenue: $45,000
Grade 3-placed Cameron Crazies has been a strong producer, with runners including Grade 3 winner Prudhoe Bay and stakes winner Indy Lyon. Oakridge Farm handled the Texas-bred as a yearling, and she was purchased by Pike for a modest price. After breezing an eighth in :10 2/5 seconds during the Texas 2-Year-Old Sale, the return on investment was apparent when CJ Thoroughbreds and Swinbank Stables teamed up to buy the filly for $52,000. The 642 percent return on investment was the second-highest by percentage of all pinhooks at last year's Texas Yearling Sale.
#7 – Cosmically Cool
B. f., 2021, Klimt x Ooh La La Cool, by Uncle Mo
Bought for $8,500 by Ike Green
Sold for $52,000 at Texas 2-Year-Old Sale Gross Revenue: $43,500
This Texas-bred from the family of Grade 3 winner and sire Astrology was consigned by Stoneview Farm as a yearling, and she went through the ring at the Texas juvenile sale for consignor Oak Creek Thoroughbreds after breezing an eighth in :10 3/5 seconds. She sold to Larry Hirsch for $52,000, making for a 511 percent return on investment.
[Story Continues Below]
#8 – Magnolia Avenue
B. f., 2021, Tapiture x Quicaria, by Unbridled's Song
Bought for $15,000 by Kaden Clary
Sold for $45,000 at Texas 2-Year-Old Sale Gross Revenue: $30,000
A Louisiana-bred from the family of top sire More Than Ready, this filly came from the KP Sales consignment as a yearling and sold again in Texas as a 2-year-old under the Clary Bloodstock consignment, where she breezed an eighth in :10 2/5 seconds. She sold to Kevin Knuckley for $45,000, and Knuckley campaigns the filly in partnership with Pat Heinsen, Michael Clary, and Kaden Clary. She won her debut start at Louisiana Downs on Aug. 6.
#9 – Stylish Anna
B. f., 2021, Fast Anna x Ain't It Sweep, by End Sweep
Bought for $8,700 by Jake Delhomme
Sold for $36,000 at OBS June Sale Gross Revenue: $27,300
A product of the KP Sales consignment during the Texas Yearling Sale, this Florida-bred is out of a stakes-placed mare, and she's a half-sister to two stakes-placed runners. She was handled by Dark Star Thoroughbreds at the following year's OBS June Sale, where she breezed an eighth in :10 1/5 seconds before selling to M. Robert Bosso for $36,000.
#10 – Sounds Like Power
Gr. or ro. c., 2021, Power Jam x Street Sounds, by Street Cry
Bought for $25,000 by George W. Childs
Sold for $50,000 at OBS Spring Sale Gross Revenue: $25,000
Out of the Grade 2 winner Street Sounds and consigned at the Texas Yearling Sale by Jumonville Farms, this Louisiana-bred breezed an eighth in :10-flat during the OBS Spring Sale for the consignment of Blas Perez Stables, agent. He sold to Scott Gelner for $50,000, and he has finished second twice in three starts at Evangeline Downs for owner Thompson Racing and trainer Jayde Gelner.
Thus, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow expressed the feelings of joy and youthful exuberance in his poem “A Day of Sunshine,” and the unbeaten 2-year-old colt named Henry Longfellow caught a ray of sunshine and certainly showed his own enthusiasm for racing with a comfortable victory by two lengths in the Group 2 Futurity Stakes at the Curragh on Aug. 19. A month earlier, the bay son of Dubawi (by Dubai Millennium) had won his debut over the same seven-furlong trip.
The colt's sire, Dubawi, is arguably the best sire in Europe not closely related to Galileo, and the top stallion at Dalham Hall stands for an advertised fee of 350,000 pounds. Dubawi is credited with 260 stakes winners, including 169 who won at the group level.
He has numerous sons already at stud, many quite early in their careers, and the best of them so far is Night of Thunder. Winner of the 2,000 Guineas during his racing career, Night of Thunder has proven such an outstanding young sire from his first racers in 2019 that his stud fee has risen to 100,000 euros. His best racers include leading European sprinter Highfield Princess.
Night of Thunder is out of a mare by Galileo, and Henry Longfellow is likewise.
Whereas Night of Thunder's dam, Forest Storm, won a maiden on debut from six starts, the dam of Henry Longfellow is something far different. The latter is a son of Minding, one of the very best daughters of Galileo and one of the best racemares of recent decades.
A winner in nine of her 13 starts, Minding won seven G1 races: 1,000 Guineas, Oaks, Nassau, Pretty Polly, Fillies Mile, Moyglare Stud Stakes, and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. She is a full-sister to Tuesday, winner of the G1 Oaks and the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, and to Empress Josephine, winner of the G1 Irish 1,000 Guineas.
The dam of these three classic winners is Lillie Langtry (Danehill Dancer), winner of the G1 Coronation Stakes and other good races. So she was a natural match for Galileo, and the pairing worked brilliantly.
Support our journalism
If you appreciate our work, you can support us by subscribing to our Patreon stream. Learn more.
In addition to being the broodmare sire of the winner of the Futurity, Galileo is keeping up appearances. On the same day as the Futurity, Aspray won the G2 Lake Placid Stakes at Saratoga, and she is also out of a quality Galileo mare.
In addition to the successes of his daughters' produce, Galileo is getting on quite well through his sons, especially his best son Frankel, who had the winners of the Prix de la Nonette (Jannah Rose) and Geoffrey Freer (Arrest), and Frankel's best son to date, two-time Champion Stakes winner Cracksman, is the sire of the unbeaten Ace Impact. From the first crop by Cracksman, Ace Impact has an international story.
The strong bay was foaled in Ireland, where his dam (Absolutly Me) had been sent for a covering to Gleneagles. Then the mare, with Ace Impact at side, returned to Barbara Moser and William Thareau's Haras de Long Champ in Normandy, France, where the colt was raised. Ace Impact's breeders are Waltraut and Karl Spanner, from Germany, and they sold their colt by Cracksman at the Arqana August yearling sale for 75,000 euros to trainer Jean-Claude Rouget, buying for owner Serge Stempniak.
Unraced at two, Ace Impact came around nicely over the winter and began his career with a pair of victories in the provinces of France. The colt then won the Prix de Suresnes and the Prix du Jockey Club, both at Chantilly. Not long after the colt's course record victory in the Prix du Jockey Club, Haras du Beaumont acquired a half-interest in Ace Impact for racing and breeding, and he will go to stud in France after racing for the Arc de Triomphe in October.
Then on Aug. 15 in France at Deauville, Ace Impact won the G2 Prix Guillaume d'Ornano. Now unbeaten in five races, Ace Impact is the favorite for the Arc and may have another race before then, probably in the G1 Irish Champion, according to comments from his trainer.
Second at Deauville was Al Riffa (Wooton Bassett), trained by former leading jockey Joseph O'Brien. Winner of the G1 National Stakes at the Curragh last season, Al Riffa is also out of a Galileo mare.
The 56th annual Washington Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association Summer Yearling and Mixed Sale was held under sunny skies on Tuesday, Aug. 22 at the WTBOA Sales Pavilion located at Emerald Downs in Auburn, Wash.
After seven outs, 75 yearlings went through the sales ring. Topping this year's sale was Hip 71, a handsome colt by first-year stallion Barkley, a son of Munnings who won the 2018 Grade 3 Longacres Mile and five other Emerald Downs stakes before retiring to Nina and Ron Hagen's El Dorado Farms in Enumclaw.
The Hagens bred the sale-topper, who was one of a trio of yearlings purchased by the San Francisco-based SmilingTigerStallion.com. The other two yearlings, both $32,000 purchases, were Hip 3, a Smiling Tiger filly out of stakes winner Rewritten (she was the highest-priced filly) consigned by Robin Mason, Critter Creek Farm, agent; and Hip 48, an Outwork half-brother to three-time stakes winner Slack Tide and recent Del Mar maiden special weight winner Impeachalot. A son of Sir Prancealot (Ire), Impeachalot was the 2022 WTBOA sale topper and races for Philip Lebherz and Richard Meister. Both colts were bred and consigned by Terry and Mary Lou Griffin's Griffin Place and are out of their stakes-placed mare Impeached.
The second highest-priced yearling came from the Griffin Place consignment, Hip 75, a son of G1 Blue Grass Stakes winner Brody's Cause, the first foal out of Washington champion racemare No Talking Back, whose first three dams were also Washington champions. Popular Emerald Downs trainer Bonnie Jenne signed the ticket for $52,000.
Hip 57, a colt from the final crop of California-based Vronsky out of three-time Washington champion Lady Rosberg, consigned by Griffin Place as agent for Darlyne Krieg, brought a bid of $38,000 from California trainer Andy Mathis.
Also bringing bids of $25,000 or more were: Hip 1, a Take Charge Indy colt that California trainer Mark Glatt purchased for $32,000 from the Griffin Place consignment; Hip 54, a colt from the first crop of G1 Pacific Classic winner Higher Power out of Connie Belshay's stakes winner Kiss Me that was hammered down to buyer Where We At for $27,000; and Hip 31, an Om half-brother to Washington titleholders Miss Prospector and Brilliant Bird bred by Bret and Julie Christopherson (Bar C Racing Stables, agent) and purchased by John and Janene Maryanski and Gerry and Gail Schneider for $25,000.
The 58 yearlings sold for a $730,200 total, a $12,863 average (down 27.2 percent from 2022) and a $6,500 median (down 45.8 percent). RNAs dropped to seven from nine when 76 yearlings sold in 2022.
The one mixed session 2-year-old sold for $5,000 and the 15 mares going through the sales ring brought a $16,850 total and $1,123 average. Hip 214, Grazen Valor, a $47,346 winning full sister to Grade 2 stakes winner and California horse of the year Lieutenant Dan, brought a $7,500 bid from Carl Seymour of Coulee Dam. After producing her first foal, a filly by Code of Honor, this past spring, the 6-year-old mare wasn't covered.
