Third-Highest Turnover At Strong Tattersalls Guineas Breeze Up Sale

The Tattersalls Guineas Breeze Up Sale concluded with the third-highest turnover in the sale's history with 150 2-year-olds changing hands for just short of 4.5 million guineas, an average of almost 30,000 guineas, a median of 24,500 guineas and a clearance rate of 82 percent. The Guineas Horses in Training Sale had earlier seen 24 horses in training exchange hands for 262,500 guineas.

Blandford Bloodstock's Richard Brown secured the top-priced lot of the Guineas Breeze Up Sale when going to 135,000 guineas to land the son of the first crop sire and multiple Group 1 winner Postponed. The colt is out of the Malibu Moon mare Micalea's Moon, a half-sister to the dam of Champion 2-year-old and exciting stallion No Nay Never. Brown secured the colt despite the persistence of underbidder Anthony Bromley, stood alongside trainer Alan King.

“He is for my resale syndicate Never Say Die, and will be trained by David Simcock,” said Brown. “A client bred Postponed so I have followed him all the way through and I am giving him a big chance.

“I don't see this horse running until August or September, he is a horse for the future. I just thought he is a smashing horse.”

Explaining the ownership syndicate, Brown said: “The syndicate is all about resale. We aim to sell as 3-year-olds. There are great people involved in the syndicate and I think they will be really excited with this horse.”

Of the colt's breeze, Brown enthused: “He did a cracking breeze. He just showed a great action, it wasn't a speedy breeze but it was the style he did it in, he has a good attitude.”

The sale represented a great success for Glending Stables' Roderick Kavanagh, with the colt having been purchased at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale for just 20,000 guineas.

“He was bought by my Dad (Peter Kavanagh) and Michael Downey, and we've always really liked him,” recalled Kavanagh. “He's a racehorse and he was such a good pull-out outside the boxes. He did an impressive breeze for his size and the date of birth he has, and he really fills the eye. He was very popular and he never let us down from start to finish.”

He added of the son of Postponed: “He is a lovely horse and all the agents were on him, all the big dogs as you'd expect. I think there were five or six bidders on him.”

The Mehmas colt out of the Milk It Mick mare Cheworee for was the second lot to sell for a six-figure value when knocked down to David Redvers for 105,000 guineas on behalf of Sheikh Fahad.

The colt's sire, who stands at Tally Ho Stud, has enjoyed a sensational start to his stud career and the successful purchaser David Redvers said of his plans: “He will be trained in Newmarket, Sheikh Fahad [who lives in Newmarket] wants to see him trained locally and close by. The horse did a very good time, he is by a very good sire and he is a lovely model, it is a great touch for the vendor.”

The vendor was Irish-based National Hunt jockey Ian McCarthy who owned him with two friends, the trio purchasing him as a foal for €3,000 as a yearling pinhook prospect but that plan failed to come to fruition.

“Gerry McCormack pinhooked him as a foal for €3,000, it is lucky enough now that he was not sold as a yearling!” smiled McCarthy. “I prepped him for us, he has been very straightforward. As time went on he just developed, he got much stronger and through the last eight weeks he has really turned a corner – he takes his work well.”

“He is a horse who has had a great preparation and we've liked him all along,” continued McCarthy. “We've had plenty of interest in the last couple of days, he did a lovely breeze ridden by Micky Cleere and he is by the right sire, isn't he?”

At the conclusion of the 2021 Tattersalls Guineas Breeze Up and Horses in Training Sale, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony commented;

“A median bettered only once this decade at the Tattersalls Guineas Breeze Up Sale combined with an average and turnover which both compare favorably with the 2019 and 2020 renewals are all positives to take from today's sale, as has been the consistent domestic demand at all levels of the market. Similarly, while not quite matching the unprecedented levels at the recent Craven Breeze Up Sale, the clearance rate has also held up well, especially considering a significantly larger catalogue than usual and the disruption to overseas participation owing to the current widespread travel restrictions.

“We can also reflect on a Guineas Breeze Up Sale which has produced numerous impressive pinhooking triumphs, as ever reflecting the expertise of the consignors, and another sale which has underlined the importance of the Tattersalls live internet bidding platform which has yet again proved to be invaluable, particularly for overseas buyers unable to attend the sale. COVID continues to test us all, but once more we have experienced trade of remarkable resilience and a collective determination from all involved to explore every avenue to provide as vibrant a market as possible in the face of considerable obstacles.”

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Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-Year-Old Sale Adds 17 Supplemental Entries

Fasig-Tipton has cataloged 17 supplemental entries to its upcoming Midlantic 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale.

These newest entries are cataloged as Hips 571-587, and may now be viewed online and in the equineline sales catalogue app. Printed versions will be available on the sales grounds at sale time.

The Midlantic 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale will be held on Monday and Tuesday, May 17 and 18, at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium, Md. Each sale session will start at 11 a.m. The sale's under tack show will be conducted on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, May 11-13, with each session beginning at 8 a.m.

Online bidding and phone bidding will be available.

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$310,000 Crew Dragon Tops Keeneland April Horses Of Racing Age Sale

D.M.I. paid $310,000 for Crew Dragon, a 3-year-old stakes-placed, winning colt by Exaggerator, to record the highest price of today's Keeneland April Horses of Racing Age Sale.

Lane's End, agent, consigned Crew Dragon, who is out of the Malibu Moon mare Go Go Dana.

For the one-day sale, 37 horses grossed $2.44 million, for an average of $65,946 and a median of $45,000. Thirteen of those horses sold on the internet for a total of $415,000.

“We are happy with how well the sale was received,” Keeneland director of sales operations Geoffrey Russell said. “We wanted to give people who raced here an opportunity to sell some of their horses before they go to other parts of the country.”

The April Sale featured an enhanced digital catalog on Keeneland.com that included pedigrees, Equibase past performances and race videos, Daily Racing Form past performances, and Ragozin and Thoro-Graph figures. Consignors were able to upload photographs and walking videos.

“The digital catalog allowed us to be more flexible and accept entries later than we typically can with a paper catalog,” Keeneland president and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “We are able to provide a lot more updated information that you cannot do with a paper catalog.”

Bloodstock agent David Ingordo signed the ticket for Crew Dragon on behalf of clients in California. D.M.I. led all buyers with the purchase.

“Keeneland did a great job putting this sale together,” Ingordo said. “The timing of it is good: right before the summer meets. I have been impressed with the trade and the quality of horses. The way they put the catalog together quickly was impressive. I hope they continue to build on this.

“(Keeneland) did a really good job of providing credible videos and information for potential buyers to see remotely,” Ingordo added. “If there is a good thing that came out of COVID for the horse business, it is the speed of producing quality videos. We weren't doing that before. I had to do amateurish videos with my phone and (now) the videos are professional. Most of my clients (did not attend the sale because they) are training horses or running businesses. They appreciate that videos are provided.”

The sale's leading consignor was ELiTE, agent, which sold eight horses for $803,000. Topping ELiTE's consignment were the second- and third-highest priced offerings, Brooke Marie at $210,000 and Secret Time (GER) at $170,000.

Castleton Lyons acquired Brooke Marie, a 5-year-old daughter of Lemon Drop Kid who won a Keeneland allowance race on April 17. She is out of the Giant's Causeway mare Mamasez and from the family of Grade 1 winner Marylebone and Grade 2 winner Alpha Kitten. Brooke Marie has three wins in 11 starts with earnings of $180,430.

Secret Time, a 4-year-old daughter of Camacho who was Group 3-placed in France, sold to Thorne-Spedale Family, John Fahey, agent. Secret Time is out of Song of Time, by Kheleyf.

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Keeneland Names Lacy Vice President of Sales; Russell To Retire As Director Of Sales Operations

Keeneland today announced that internationally respected bloodstock adviser and consignor Tony Lacy will join the company as vice president of sales. Officials also announced that longtime director of sales operations Geoffrey Russell will retire from his full-time position after 25 years with Keeneland, but will remain in a consulting role through 2021.

“Tony possesses a well-rounded knowledge of the Thoroughbred industry, bolstered by valuable insight and a unique skill set gained from having worked on the ground in the U.S., Europe and the Middle East,” Keeneland president and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “He is an established presence globally and connects to a vast network of owners, trainers, consignors and buyers. We are excited to welcome Tony to Keeneland, and look forward to his leadership as we prepare for the future.”

Lacy brings a depth of racing and sales experience to his new position with Keeneland. In 2001, Lacy, along with Kerry Cauthen, helped establish Four Star Sales, eventually becoming a partner and developing the company into a leading North American consignor with a diverse client portfolio.

Since 2008, he has been the North American representative for the French Thoroughbred sales company Arqana. In that capacity, he has been involved in all aspects of the sales company, including the innovation of Arqana Online, and development of Arqana's brand in the U.S. via marketing strategies and promotions in various mediums and actions.

“I am extremely honored to be named vice president of sales for Keeneland,” Lacy said. “Keeneland is a pillar of the global horse industry, and I have a high level of respect for Shannon, the team she is building and her vision for the future. I believe my background as a consignor and bloodstock adviser will allow me to understand the needs of our sales participants, continue to build on the best of our traditions and pursue innovations that will keep the company dynamic in a changing environment. Keeneland is an iconic brand, and we remain committed to protecting and growing its premier operations for the future health of the industry as a whole.”

A fourth-generation horseman, Lacy began his career in his native Ireland as an assistant trainer to his father, T. F. “Tom” Lacy, a steeplechase jockey who came within a length of defeating the legendary Arkle in the 1964 Irish Grand National. Tony Lacy was a successful amateur jockey in Ireland for 11 years, competing on the flat and over the jumps against such riders as Aidan O'Brien and Willie Mullins.

Lacy further honed his racing expertise in Chantilly with trainers Emmanuel Chevalier Du Fau and Henri-Alex Pantall and was an assistant trainer for the Al Maktoum family with Erwan Charpy in Dubai. He gained valuable experience in U.S. sales and breeding through his work for the Greely family's Wintergreen Farm and while overseeing sales horses for noted 2-year-olds in training consignor Jerry Bailey in Ocala.

Throughout his career, Lacy has advised and managed a number of racing and breeding programs, purchasing such group stakes winners as Pista and Nasheej for clients at Keeneland. He most recently helped develop owner Scott Heider's boutique program into a dynamic stable in the U.S. and Europe. Heider bred recent Grade 3 Stonestreet Lexington winner King Fury and has campaigned such graded/group winners as Mia Mischief, Thoughtfully and Crossfirehurricane.

Reflecting his international background, Lacy has counseled and represented Emirates Racing and the Dubai World Cup in the U.S. He also advised the French Thoroughbred industry's marketing arm, the French Breeding and Racing Committee (FRBC), as well as France Galop (French Jockey Club).

Lacy is the incoming president of the Thoroughbred Club of America and will be the first foreign-born president in the organization's 89-year history. He also serves on the Board of New Vocations.

Geoffrey Russell Retires After 25 Years With Keeneland

Geoffrey Russell

Geoffrey Russell retires after 25 years with Keeneland sales, 20 seasons of which were as director of sales/director of sales operations – the longest of anyone in Keeneland history.

He will serve as a consultant to the Keeneland sales team through 2021.

“I have never met anyone more devoted to Keeneland or Thoroughbred racing than Geoffrey Russell,” Arvin said. “Keeneland sales achieved new heights globally under his watch, and he indelibly shaped the future of sales operations domestically and abroad through his years of leadership and service. I am grateful to Geoffrey for his integrity, his tireless work ethic and his dedication to Keeneland.”

Russell's friendship with Arvin began while she was Keeneland's counsel with Stoll Keenon Ogden and they worked together on Conditions of Sales and legal issues.

“It has been a great honor and privilege to work at Keeneland,” Russell said. “I appreciate all the opportunities that Keeneland has given me over my 25 years here. I never thought I would work at Keeneland – and never as director of sales nor being the longest-tenured one.

“With Shannon at the helm – and I firmly believe she is the right person to lead Keeneland – I feel that this is a good time for a transition as Keeneland looks to the next 20 years,” he said. “Keeneland is putting the right people in place for the future, and the appointment of Tony as vice president of sales is an example of that foresight. Tony is a trusted and respected horseman, well-liked by his peers, who has conducted his racing and bloodstock career with quality and integrity. I am confident in Tony's leadership and look forward to the exciting future of Keeneland sales.”

Born in Dublin, Ireland, Russell was five when he first attended the races with his parents. While growing up, he often went to the races with his best friend, whose family owned racehorses and taught Russell about pedigrees and other facets of the industry. While attending a bloodstock sale in the 1970s, Russell was captivated when the legendary Sir Philip Payne-Gallway bought a full-sister to English Horse of the Year Shirley Heights for a then-record price in Ireland. The experience helped him decide his career path in Thoroughbred sales.

After obtaining a marketing degree from the College of Marketing and Design in Dublin, Russell gained early experience in the Thoroughbred industry in Ireland at Coolmore Stud and as a bid spotter at Goffs sales company. He came to the U.S. in 1982 on a summer internship at Fasig-Tipton Sales but never expected to stay. Following a stint at Elmendorf Farm, Russell returned to Fasig-Tipton as vice president of Fasig-Tipton appraisals and director of sales administration.

Russell joined Keeneland in 1996 as assistant director of sales to Rogers Beasley. In June 2001, he was promoted to director of sales when Beasley became Keeneland's director of racing. Russell was named to the newly created position of director of sales operations in September 2016.

“I think it chose me more than I chose it,” Russell said about his career in Thoroughbred sales. “I have a love of pedigrees, and I love horses. The atmosphere and the theatrics of an auction are captivating. Then you put your other hat on, and you see the sales are people's livelihoods and you realize how important your job is to do it right.”

During Russell's tenure as director of sales/director of sales operations, Keeneland sales experienced great heights, such as selling future Hall of Famer Ashado for $9 million as a broodmare prospect at the 2005 November Breeding Stock Sale. Russell helped navigate Keeneland through a number of external challenges caused by significant industry and world events such as 9/11, mare reproductive loss syndrome, an economic recession and the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I have admired Geoffrey from the first time I met him,” Lacy said. “He has always been very knowledgeable, decisive and fair in managing the sale process. He helped Keeneland navigate varying economic environments and his counsel will be heavily relied upon going forward. It is important to maintain the consistency Geoffrey has skillfully managed over the years to allow a smooth transition to the next director of sales operations, and I am very grateful he will assist in this process. He has set a very high standard and I congratulate him on an incredible career.”

Russell's service to the Thoroughbred sales industry includes two terms as chairman of the Society of International Thoroughbred Auctioneers (SITA), and he has been Keeneland's representative on the North American International Catalogue Standards Committee (ICSC). He also serves on the board of the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation.

For his accomplishments in the Thoroughbred industry, the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (ITBA) honored Russell with its 2016 Wild Geese Award. ITBA Chairman Stephen Collins said the award acknowledges “one of our own who has flown the Irish flag with pride on an international stage.”

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