A number of Argentina's prominent farms are partnering to present their best yearlings at public auction May 6-8 during the Argentina premier sale at Tattersalls de Palermo.
Fifteen farms will present a total of 91 yearlings at the sale.
Tom Thornbury, Keeneland's associate director of sales, selected all yearlings entered into the two-day sale while visiting Argentina in February.
"The Argentina premier sale has been organized by a strong group of breeders dedicated to adding greater transparency and integrity to the sales process," said Thornbury. "Their efforts were recognized by the buyers who attended the sale last year, and the results of that sale influenced a greater number of farms to join in this year."
Sires represented by offspring in the sale include Tapit , Zensational, Exchange Rate, Freud , Honour and Glory, Orpen, Stormy Atlantic , Harlan's Holiday and Bernstein, among others.
Of the 50 horses consigned at the sale in 2013, four are already winners, including the Argentine group II-placed Argentino a Muerte, by Exchange Rate, and Eragon, by Offlee Wild.
"The number on offer is double that of last year, and because a stringent selection process was enlisted this year, buyers will find the very best of those that were nominated," said Thornbury. "Both buyers and sellers should benefit from this well-organized and focused sale strategy."
The farms involved in the promotion of the sale hope that by putting their best stock on the market, they will encourage a continually expanding contingent of international buyers to attend the sale this year and in the future.
"This sale is independent and transparent," said Alberto Stein of Haras La Leyenda. "The top yearlings from each farm's crop will be presented. Buyers can buy for racing in Argentina, where training costs are very affordable, or for export to any racing jurisdiction around the world."
To view the online catalog for the Argentina premier yearling sale, click here.
