Barretts Sales, which has conducted Thoroughbred auctions at Fairplex in Pomona, Calif., since its 1990 inception, announced its primary sales location will the Del Mar Fairgrounds starting in 2015.
Kim Lloyd, Barretts' general manager, said the relocation will be effective following the final sale at Fairplex in February, 2015. While the location of the business will change, the ownership will remain with the Los Angeles County Fair Association at Fairplex.
Lloyd indicated that the sales company will use Del Mar's covered, 100,000-square-foot Del Mar Arena, home to several major horse shows throughout the year, as its primary sale location. The facility offers seating for 3,500 with floor capacity to hold an additional 5,000.
Barretts also will conduct some of its sales in the paddock of the adjacent Del Mar racetrack, which sits on the 350-acre Del Mar Fairgrounds and now conducts annual race meetings in the summer and fall.
"The new location is ideal for the industry as a whole," Lloyd said. "We've had a fine run in Pomona, but now we're moving ahead."
"Our mission statement notes an agricultural emphasis in all we do here," said Tim Fennell, CEO of the Del Mar Fairgounds, "and Barretts and their horse sales are a natural fit. They go nicely alongside our world-class Thoroughbred race meetings and they come with a first-class reputation for doing good business. We look forward to a collaborative relationship with them."
The first Barretts sale at Del Mar will be the May 2-year-olds in training sale May 27.
