Concord Stud Farm offers larger consignment backed by young broodmares
by James P3atz
Two years ago, Concord Stud Farm brought a 16-yearling consignment to the Fasig-Tipton Newtown paddocks. This year, the roster has more than doubled, with 33 babies slated to sell. The Cream Ridge, NJ farm is selling at Lexington for the sixth year, and according to Julie Meirs, some owners are sending yearlings to the Bluegrass for the first time.
“We’ve got some owners that have historically not sold in Lexington that are trying a couple down there for various reasons, whether it be out of foreign mares or Kentucky stallions,” she said.
The consignment is trotter-focused, with only six pacers on the roster. One third of the group is sired by Chapter Seven, with four sired by Walner, and two by Muscle Hill. The consignment is also marked by youth, with 20 yearlings representing either the first or second foal from the dam.
“We’ve got more trotters than pacers this year, significantly more,” Meirs said. “But that seems to be how we roll at Lexington. Hopefully, we’ll have the right stallions as well. We’ve got a lot of Chapter Sevens, a good mix of Walners and Muscle Hills, and then we’ve got some of the first-year stallions down there as well. We have young mares, first foals, and a heck of a lot of Chapter Sevens.”
Concord Stud Farm will offer five yearlings on opening night, but the balance of the consignment will sell throughout the week. Last year, the nursery sold 10 in the first session.
“We actually have more selling later on this year than first day,” she said. “We’re usually a little heavier first day, but Wednesday seems to be our big day this year. And we definitely have some good ones selling later on in the sale. It’s not just all of our power up front.”
Meirs noted that six of their Chapter Seven babies will sell Wednesday, as well as a Muscle Hill colt and a Captain Corey colt. A total of 16 from the Concord roster will pass through the ring that day. She said that no matter the day a yearling sells, buyers will find what they are seeking.
“They’re going to find the value and find their future winners everywhere,” Meirs said. “So the day placement doesn’t really bother us too much because everyone’s going through the catalog and looking at all of the videos and coming out to the farm ahead of time. So they’re really getting an opportunity to see everything. When people come to the farm they’ve done their homework. They have a list, but they’re also willing to see anything that might be missing from their list.”
Two of the Wednesday contingency that Meirs highlighted are Hook N Reel, Hip #496, and Guggenheim, Hip #516. Hook N Reel is a Pennsylvania and Kentucky eligible Captain Corey colt that is a brother to Mr Grant 2, 1:55.3; 3, 1:54.3f ($136,573) and Ontario Sires Stake Gold-placed freshman Tavern Onthe Green BT1:55s-’25 ($30,566). Guggenheim is a Muscle Hill brother to six-figure earners Home’n Dry, Seven Iron and New Jersey Sires Stakes final winner Air Power 2, Q1:56.2; 3, 1:50.4 ($378,491). He is New Jersey and Kentucky eligible.
“From the beginning, they have really just been dominant,” Meirs said. “You know, growing up, they really were in charge. They were in two different fields and we raised both of them, and they were just dominating their fields. They were out in front when they were trotting across the field and they were more of the herd bosses. They just have that swagger to them.”
Other highlights include Le Deauville, Magic Mac and Gagosian, all selling Monday evening. Hip #5 Le Deaville is a Walner colt out of double millionaire and Trotter of the Year Shake It Cerry that sells early in the session and is dual eligible to New Jersey and Kentucky.
“He’s on the younger side being a May foal, so he’s got a lot of growth left to go,” Meirs said. “So there’s a lot of potential with him.”
Hip #29 Magic Mac is a son of Sweet Lou from Jugette winner Alexa’s Power. The Pennsylvania and Kentucky eligible yearling is the second foal and first colt.
“He’s exceptional,” Meirs said. “A really good-bodied colt.”
Hip #41 Gagosian is a Walner colt out of Basquiat a half-sister to Security Protected 2, 1:52.4; 3, 1:52.4f; 4, 1:51.2-‘25 ($673,509). He is also dual eligible and the second foal from the dam.
“This is one of those young mares with a tremendous family behind her,” Meirs said.
Last year, Concord grossed $2.67 million in sales and averaged $111,542, the latter figure ranking fourth among all consignors. Meirs is optimistic the consignment can once again produce good numbers.
“I think we’re excited and optimistic about the sale,” Meirs said. “And we’re looking forward to having a good sale. I hope we follow the thoroughbreds. I hope we’re going to be on their coattails after the sales that they’ve been having. I think that would be awesome. It’s been pretty positive.”
