by James Platz

When the 2023 edition of the Lexington Selected sale kicks off Monday night (Oct. 2), it will do so with a change in the management structure. Randy Manges, the long-time co-manager who served alongside David Reid, has scaled back his involvement and now occupies the role of consultant. In his place, Bruce Brinkerhoff now works in tandem with Reid as co-manager. The transition began in late 2022.

“It’s an honor to follow in the footsteps of my predecessors,” said Brinkerhoff. “I’m very appreciative of the opportunity to do so. I look forward to maintaining the high standards that have been set at Lexington Selected.”

Those familiar with the sale know Brinkerhoff’s extensive background in the breeding industry and the sale. The Illinois native hails from the same region in the southern part of the state that the Tetrick family, Becker family and trainer Tony Alagna call home.

“I started at the county fairs at the end of a pitchfork,” Brinkerhoff said. “I began jogging and training horses, taking care of horses, and eventually did a little bit of driving.”

After earning a degree in horse reproduction and management, Brinkerhoff had stints at Hobby Horse Farm, Kentuckiana Farms, Concord Stud Farm, and a thoroughbred farm in Ohio. At each stop, he forged relationships that serve him well today. Brinkerhoff would eventually move into a role with the United States Trotting Association, serving there until hiring on with Kentucky Standardbred Sales Company, led by Manges, in 1998. He worked there for 16 years, and during that time the sale company merged with Tattersalls to form Lexington Selected. Brinkerhoff left Lexington Selected to return to the USTA, but he still remained connected to the sale.

“I wrote pedigrees, handled the production of the catalog and was on the inspection team, out looking at the yearlings,” he said of his first stint with the company. “At the USTA, we were in pedigree production, and I was in charge of their catalog as part of that. I’ve done the catalogs for the last 25 years.”

As part of his new responsibilities, Brinkerhoff is again evaluating babies, something he did sparingly while at the USTA.

“I was heavily involved in that starting in April,” he said. “I had done that for 16 years during my first stint, so I was very familiar with that part of it and relished the opportunity to get back out and inspect horses.”

Over the last eight years, Brinkerhoff has taken vacation in early October to assist with the sale. He does the same for the Ohio Jug sale, conducted for many years by Lexington Selected. This year’s Jug sale provided Brinkerhoff the first opportunity to serve in his new capacity on sale day.

“That was a good way to get my feet wet,” he said. “The Ohio sale is on a smaller scale in terms of the number of horses. It’s an ongoing process.”

Brinkerhoff and Reid will coordinate throughout the week as co-managers, each with their respective responsibilities. Manges also will be on hand to provide guidance throughout sale week.

“I’m very pleased to have Randy stay on in his role as a consultant,” Brinkerhoff said. “I’ve leaned on him for advice, and he has a tremendous amount of experience and knowledge about the whole sale process. He’s been highly successful, and I’m very happy that he’s here in this supporting role.

“As co-manager, David Reid has a tremendous amount of experience as well. We are in constant contact with regards to sale matters. The entire team has been in place for quite some time and there is a great deal of experience surrounding me.”