The sale’s co-manager David Reid said that would be an incredible accomplishment even with one of the strongest catalogs in history and purse money at record highs in many jurisdictions.

by Dave Briggs

David Reid said the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale — which begins Monday night (Sept. 30) at the Fasig-Tipton Sales Pavilion and runs through Friday (Oct. 4) — is as deep on quality as ever. He’s just not sure the sale can continue to smash records for gross as it has in each of the last three years, when it has leapt from $56.7 million in 2021 to $65.3 million in 2023 and $67.9 million in 2023.

It’s a familiar refrain. For years, Reid, who manages the sale with Bruce Brinkerhoff, has been realistic. He has long said it will be tough to top the year prior.

“The thoroughbred sale just concluded and they were quite strong,” Reid said. “I anticipate a nice, solid, strong marketplace, with no expectations as far as gross dollars or averages because the sale, over the last number of years, has continued to show increases. That won’t happen every year, so whatever year it happens I can finally be right.”

The 2023 Lexington auction set 12 records, including new standards for gross ($67,916,300) and number of yearlings sold for $100,000 or more (233).

Setting another gross record will be more challenging considering about 40 fewer yearlings will be sold this year compared to last.

“We were a little more selective in the spring time and we tried to keep the overall numbers and time management under control, so we accepted a few less yearlings this year,” Reid said.

Still, this year’s catalog is as deep as it’s ever been — and that’s saying something.

“From a sire point of view, I think the catalog is as strong as ever. All the top stallions are represented across the board, trotters and pacers. We have fewer first crop sires this year. For pacing, we have Perfect Sting as the one that has the biggest numbers and then Captain Corey on the trotting side.”

The first crops of Bulldog Hanover, Calgary Games and Ready For Moni will also sell this year.

“Geographically and sire power-wise, within those jurisdictions, I think our customers are going to have a lot of quality yearlings to choose from and we’re very happy with the offerings of the pacers, both fillies and colts,” Reid said.

“On the trotting side, it’s a little more top-heavy with Walner and Chapter Seven. Then, Muscle Hill still has pretty good-sized numbers and, obviously, he’s a great sire. Then, you have a whole number of other sires under that who demand respect, nationally and geographically. We have an outstanding offering of trotters.

“It’s probably a cliché, but the sale has something for everybody, at all price points, in all jurisdictions. Part of our goal from a sales company management point of view is to showcase the best the breeders have and I think we’ve accomplished that.”

Beyond a stellar catalog, Reid said one major factor points to the likelihood of outstanding results for this year’s auction.

“Obviously, it’s an election year and there are inflationary problems that are similar to last year, but the purse structure is the most important thing in my opinion,” Reid said. “Jurisdictions and purse money, they are as healthy as they were in 2023 and I think that’s a good sign for the horse economy.”

He said the setup at Fasig-Tipton with outdoor stalls and easy access for horse buyers, makes it a fantastic place for consignors to show off their horses.

“It’s an open-air environment,” Reid said. “When looking for yearlings, there’s a lot to shop for and it’s a benefit to the buyers once you get down here and really put the boots on the ground and see the consignors. We’ve really got a great group of consignors and breeders in the sport and they’ve got a lot to offer.”

The sale will kick off Monday with a memorial for Randy Manges, Reid’s long-time co-manager. Manges died in December of 2023 after 40 years as one of the driving forces behind the Lexington sale.

“There’s a cocktail reception Monday night, prior to the first session from 5 to 7 p.m., and it will also be a celebration of life for Randy Manges,” Reid said.

Then, the first yearling will step into the ring.

“From the buyer’s point of view, get your boots on the ground, get your ducks lined up and have a strategy, because there’s just a lot of horses that fit a lot of people’s lists that are viable and it’s important to work the sale hard and pay attention during the sale,” Reid said. “There’s always opportunities, but you have to be prepared for them.”

After an evening session to kick off Day 1, the sale will begin at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday before wrapping up with an evening session that begins at 7 p.m. on Friday.