KTA/KTOB Announces 2022 Elected Directors

The Kentucky Thoroughbred Association (KTA) and Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders (KTOB) have elected new members of the Board of Directors who will serve three-year terms and are elected by the full membership of the organization. Online and paper ballots were managed, monitored, and tabulated by Dean Dorton Technology (Dean Dorton Allen Ford, PLLC).  Newly elected KTA/KTOB Board of Directors for 2022 are: Ned Toffey–General Manager, Spendthrift Farm; Michael Banahan–Director of Bloodstock, Godolphin USA; Fergus Galvin–Partner, Hunter Valley Farm & U.S. Racing Manager, Qatar Racing; Neil Pessin–Thoroughbred Trainer; Tommy Drury–Thoroughbred Trainer.

Dr. Stuart Brown, Price Bell, Anne Archer Hinkle, Dr. Natanya Nieman-McMahon, Craig Bandoroff, T. Wayne Sweezey, Jeff Thornbury & Paul McGee were re-elected to the Board of Directors.

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Don’t Leave Me Tops Pin Oak Dispersal At Fasig-Tipton

Nearly 70 years of careful breeding and racing success – a lifelong passion of Pin Oak Stud's Ms. Josephine Abercrombie – were on display Sunday evening at Newtown Paddocks in Lexington, Ky. A selection of Pin Oak's remaining broodmares, weanlings, and race fillies were offered without reserve by Denali Stud as agent.

The sale topper came in the form of Don't Leave Me (Hip 18), a 9-year-old graded stakes winning daughter of Lemon Drop Kid. Woodford Thoroughbreds purchased the mare, who was offered in foal to Horse of the Year Authentic, for $650,000 (video).

Don't Leave Me is out of Grade 1 winner See How She Runs, and has produced two foals to date, including I'm So Sorry (Uncle Mo), who is placed in one start this year at two, and a weanling filly by Medaglia d'Oro (Hip 19). The latter preceded her dam into the ring, and was purchased by Rigney Racing for $370,000, the top price paid for a weanling during the sale (video).

“We started showing Saturday morning,” said Denali Stud's Craig Bandoroff. “They were here at quarter to eight, and her 23 horses showed 1,056 times… [w]e were hoping that the community would appreciate the quality of the offerings and the quality of Ms. Abercrombie and Clifford's lifetime work, and they did. It was gratifying.”

Point System (Hip 5), a seven-year-old stakes winner by Pin Oak's own Broken Vow, sold for $420,000 to Shepherd Equine Advisors, agent from Larry Hirsch (video).

The second highest price of the evening, Point System was offered in foal to Eclipse champion Improbable. To date, Point System is represented by a yearling colt by Candy Ride (ARG).

Late in the session, Eaton Sales took home multiple Grade 1 placed stakes winner Gold Medal Dancer (Hip 23) for $400,000 (video). The 11-year-old daughter of Medaglia d'Oro is represented by Dance Recital, a winner this year at 4, as well as an unstarted 2-year-old in Dance Routine, and a weanling colt by Candy Ride (ARG).

“This has been her baby for 60-plus years,” added longtime Pin Oak Stud farm manager Clifford Barry of Abercrombie. “It's kind of nice to coming in tonight and showcase… [T]here are mares here today she's got three, four generations of. Very, very proud of her.”

Of three racing and/or broodmare prospects on offer, Fascination (Hip 20) took the top spot, selling for $185,000 to Harbut Bloodstock. A daughter of two-time and current leading sire Into Mischief, Fascination placed third in her debut this year at three. Her dam, Whimiscality (Hip 10), in foal to Collected, sold earlier in the session to BBA Ireland for $200,000.

All told, 23 horses sold for $3,999,000, good for an average of $173,870 and a median of $130,000.

Full results are available online.

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Buyers, Sellers, Sales Companies Talk COVID-19 and the Fall Sales

The daily number of U.S. deaths from the Covid-19 virus neared 1,000 per day last week, the highest level the country has seen since February. The seven-day moving average of Covid-19 cases reported by the CDC, is at 149,263, and continues to rise.

There are currently four variants circulating in the United States; Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Gamma, with Delta making up over 99% of all cases.

It seems like every day, someone we know in racing has contracted Covid, from trainer Todd Pletcher to the TDN's own Christina Bossinakis, and many of the people surveyed below. At no time is the demand to travel and circulate with others for our jobs in racing greater than it is for the fall sales period.

The TDN talked to a number of buyers and consignors about how they feel about traveling to the sales, what precautions they'll take, and what sales companies can do to make them feel safe.

We start off our conversation with Keeneland's President and CEO Shannon Arvin, who talked about sales protocols.

Shannon Arvin
First and foremost, the health and safety of our clients, staff and equine stock is Keeneland's primary focus. COVID-19 has presented us with many challenges these past 18 months, but by working together, we have successfully navigated a constantly changing world to create a stable and steady market. And I believe we will do that again this fall sales and racing season.
Looking ahead to the September Yearling Sale, Keeneland will follow the guidance of health and government experts to create the safest environment possible for our sales participants. And just like last year, we ask for the continued support and cooperation of our customers and their staffs.

Shannon Arvin | Keeneland photo

We strongly encourage those who have not yet been vaccinated to do so. Vaccination offers the best protection possible from COVID-19.

Most of us are extremely aware of the risk presented by COVID-19 and take the proper precautions where necessary.

At Keeneland, we have reinstated a mask mandate for all employees, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, while working indoors. Our unvaccinated employees are required to be tested weekly.

Consistent with current CDC guidelines, we strongly recommend that all sales participants wear a mask when indoors. This is an added layer of defense that keeps you and those you come in contact with safe.

Our facilities at Keeneland will undergo a deep cleaning following each sales session, and we've located hand sanitizing stations throughout the Sales Pavilion and grounds.

We also will continue to offer online bidding and phone bidding for buyers unable to attend the September Sale in person.

The Keeneland team looks forward to welcoming our friends and customers from around the world to Central Kentucky this fall. A silver lining of the pandemic is the resiliency and optimism of horsemen that always seem to carry the industry through challenging times. We are confident the market will continue to be buoyed by enthusiasm at the sales and a keen passion for racing.

Price Bell, Mill Ridge
I'm so glad you all are doing this story on the vaccine and protocols. I think it's important. Considering that last year Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton conducted multiple sales, and quite frankly kept our industry going, I know we can stay safe through this sales season as well. I think the key is keeping activity inside limited and being respectful of people and the variant.

Price Bell | Mill Ridge photo

I'm vaccinated, and look forward to the booster. I will wear a mask indoors and in the back ring, where I hope it is crowded. I do feel comfortable going because I thought they did a phenomenal job last year. They created a wonderful environment to conduct business utilizing so much of their outdoor space and I would expect they do something similar this year. I think we have learned from our friends who got sick in Saratoga that the vaccine is not bulletproof and the variant is real.

As for our team, we have worked hard to make everyone aware of the benefits of the vaccine and nearly every team member has been vaccinated. We will provide masks to co-workers and opportunities for us to not gather in the tack/warm rooms.

Liz Crow, BSW Bloodstock
I will feel comfortable but I will also be a little hesitant because I have a 6-month-old baby who is not vaccinated. My concern is always how can I keep her safe. For that reason, I will be a little nervous. I will be wearing a mask and will be careful. I will probably only wear the mask when I am inside. When I look at horses, I generally am not super close to a lot of people except for my team. They are all fully vaccinated, which makes me feel safer.

As for protocols, that's above my paygrade so far as all the thought that has to go into that. I do think there should be a mask mandate for inside. That's probably the right thing to do.

Justin Casse
I won't mind going. I've gotten my vaccinations. I had Covid and I got it when I was in Newmarket last year for the yearling sales. Covid changed my life in regards to the amount of traveling I want to do. To be honest with you, my time at horse sales going forward is going to be less than usual. In regards to fear of getting the disease, that's not on my mind. But so far a what it has done to me and my values in life, it's made me step back and look at what might be more important. I want to spend more time enjoying life and my family.

I won't wear a mask unless prompted and told to do so.

I know it's a pain in the butt, but I do feel that proof of vaccination is nice and if not proof of vaccination then you should have to show that you have tested negative. It should be one of the two. I went to the Grateful Dead concert in Saratoga last week and to get into the area of the pit you had to show that you had been vaccinated. To get into the concert, you had to have a negative test or the vaccination. That's like 20,000 people in an outdoor setting and they did their best to make sure that we were at event that would not turn into a super spreader event.

Jon Green | Courtesy DJ Stables

Jon Green, General Manager, DJ Stables
I personally attended the Saratoga sale and was surprised more people were not wearing masks, especially inside the sales pavilion. The number of people who caught some type of illness directly stemming from the sales and/or races was not surprising in my mind–COVID in particular is just that contagious. Since my parents are older, and more susceptible to the negative consequences of any virus, we have opted not to attend the September Sales. Like last year, we have assembled a great team of short listers, trainers and veterinarians to provide us with the information required to make our decisions from afar. Keeneland has done an outstanding job of establishing and improving their digital platform, and we have the utmost confidence bidding on their site. Hopefully the CDC figures will improve over the coming weeks so we can return to Kentucky in November.

J.R. Boyd
I feel very comfortable because I had COVID and I have the antibodies and according to the doctors the antibodies last up to 90 days. I got it at the very end of July. The doctors and nurses told me that 99% of the people in the hospital were not vaccinated and I was not vaccinated either. I definitely regret not getting vaccinated. My wife had it about six months before I did and I was around her the whole time and I never caught it. It's not that I was against the vaccination. I just thought I didn't need it. That was a mistake.

I worry that there's not a lot anyone can do. If you're going to get it you're going to get it. I won't say that I won't go inside the pavilion, but I'm going to try to keep my distance from other people. Everyone should definitely have the Germ-X sanitizer in their pockets and should keep their distance when they can. Having said that, I would feel more comfortable if everyone were vaccinated.

I don't plan on wearing a mask. That's because every doctor has told me I have full-blown antibodies and for 90 days I cannot get COVID and I cannot carry it. I don't feel like I can receive it or give it to anyone. If they want me to wear a mask in certain areas, I will not mind. I'm not against masks by any means.

Doug Cauthen
I feel comfortable going to the sale. I will take precautions like trying to keep my distance from others. Thankfully, most of it takes place outdoors. I won't be going inside the pavilion unless people are masked.

Masking indoors is a no-brainer. We've seen how well that woks and it especially works when everybody does it. I'll definitely wear a mask indoors. When I'm out looking at horses I'll probably have one around my neck and if somebody comes up to me I'll pull it up and talk to them. Thankfully, I am vaccinated. I know I can still get COVID, but my preference is obviously to not get sick.

Meg Levy, Bluewater Sales
Mike and I actually just got over Covid. We both had been vaccinated. We were in Saratoga and the Delta variant was going around, we got it and we're over it and we've been re-vaccinated. Personally, I will feel comfortable.

Meg LEvy | Bluewater Sales

I just assumed they were going to go back to protocols similar to what they did last fall when they had badges and temperature checks. That seemed to be easy and seemed to go well.

I will wear a mask when I am near people. I think that's only fair the best way to keep others safe. I'm not worried about myself, but it's kind to do the right thing when it comes to others.

Pete Bradley
I feel comfortable going because I have been vaccinated. At this point, life is going on in the world. Going to the sale wouldn't bother me any more than going to a restaurant. I wear masks indoors and usually outdoors I don't.

I see no reason not to wear masks, especially in indoor situations. That's me personally. Outdoors, I don't think it really helps. I don't know how much a mask helps, but it certainly can't hurt.

Craig Bandoroff, Denali Stud
I feel comfortable going. I am vaccinated and if I can get the booster before the sale I will. On protocols, that's a tricky one. What I have been seeing at various places is that when you go inside you have to wear a mask. I don't think that's unreasonable. If you're going to be inside the pavilion, perhaps you should have to wear a mask, that is unless things start to change.

I don't think I will wear a mask outside. But I am 66 and in a more vulnerable group, so I probably will wear a mask inside. I understand it's hard to get into the country and the Japanese have either had a hard time coming or are reluctant to come. They are a big part of our market. It will be disconcerting if they don't or can't come.

Conrad Bandoroff, Denali Stud
We're doing some simple things that we started last year. We made some changes that we thought would help. As far as protecting our staff, most of our staff have been vaccinated. There's going to be one person responsible for taking down someone's card and rather than have a buyer or agent fill out a card there will be somebody there to do that. That way you'll have fewer touch points. Most likely, we will not be requiring our staff to wear masks, but we will have masks available for our crew if they chose to wear one. Our feeling is that we are outside.

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Pin Oak Stud To Disperse Equine Assets, Host Special Auction At Fasig-Tipton On September 12

Josephine Abercrombie's Pin Oak Stud, one of the country's most successful Thoroughbred breeding and racing operations over the past six decades, announced Aug. 5 that it will be offering its remaining broodmares, weanlings, and some racing fillies at Fasig-Tipton Kentucky on Sept. 12.

Denali Stud will handle the sale as agent for Pin Oak. Separate from this main group are 14 yearlings which will be offered in the upcoming Keeneland September Sale and one yearling is entered to sell at Fasig-Tipton's Saratoga Sale. Some 14 retired mares and horses will remain on the farm.

“This has been part of Ms. Abercrombie's plan all along, as we have been selling mares and downsizing the past few years,” said farm manager Clifford Barry. “Actually, in keeping to her plan, we have sold more yearlings than we kept in training the past couple of years.”

Among the 24 horses being offered in September are multiple graded stakes winners Overheard, winner of the Grade 2 Pin Oak Valley View and G3 Dance Smartly Stakes, in foal to Grade 1 winner at two, three, and four Mckinzie; Gold Medal Dancer, winner of the G2 Azeri Stakes, and placed in both the G1 La Troienne Stakes and G1 Apple Blossom Handicap, in foal to top sire Munnings; Dont Leave Me, winner of the G3 Bourbonette Oaks and G3 Ontario Colleen Stakes, in foal to champion and winner of the Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup Classic Authentic; and stakes winner Point System, in foal to champion Improbable.

The 2021 foals out of these mares and others are also part of the sale on Sept. 12.  These weanlings are by such outstanding sires as Medaglia d'Oro. Street Sense, Ghostzapper, Candy Ride, Flatter, and Justify.

Craig Bandoroff, whose Denali Stud will be handling the sale, remarked, “We have been fortunate to represent Pin Oak Stud for over 15 years. I've always considered it a compliment to have the Denali Stud name associated with Pin Oak and Josephine Abercrombie. Their pursuit of excellence, their integrity and their highest level of horsemanship has made representing them an honor, not a job.

“Although I'm saddened to see this day come, I'm proud that we have been asked to represent a woman and a farm that I admire and revere,” Bandoroff continued.  We will do our best to represent not just an accomplished horsewoman and her legacy but an incredible person who has positively impacted many lives through her various endeavors.”

Recognized as the 1995 National Thoroughbred Breeder of the Year, Pin Oak Stud has produced or campaigned over 100 stakes winners.  Prominent homebreds to carry the distinct blue and gray striped silks include Peaks and Valleys, Broken Vow, Confessional, See How She Runs, Hasten to Add, Laugh and Be Merry, and Missed the Storm.  Additional top performers are graded stakes-winning earners over $500,000 and include Alternation, Brownie Points, Bedanken, Synchrony, Alternate, Euphony, Cryptograph, Gold Medal Dancer and Overheard.

An active supporter of the racing industry as well as her community, Ms. Abercrombie has been honored with the William T. Young Humanitarian Award and the Hardboot Award, both presented by the KTA/KTOB.  In 2018, Ms. Abercrombie received one of the industry's most prestigious awards when she was named the Thoroughbred Club of America Honor Guest.

“The names Josephine Abercrombie and Pin Oak Stud are synonymous with excellence and quality,” noted Fasig-Tipton president Boyd Browning.  “Ms. Abercrombie is a pillar of the Thoroughbred industry and our local community.  Her legacy will carry forward through the lives of the many people she impacted and these Thoroughbred families she cultivated and developed.”

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