Del Mar’s first-ever “race-ready racehorse sale” will be presented in its paddock following the day’s live racing July 22. The sale is expected to begin at approximately 6:30 p.m. PDT.
The idea behind the event is to bring out-of-state horses onto the Del Mar/California racing scene and to introduce new owners to the business in one-stop-shopping fashion. Barretts Equine Ltd., California’s premier horse auction company, will conduct the sale and hopes to present at least 20, and perhaps as many as 40, horses of all ages ready for racing at the Del Mar meeting.
The two pubs flanking the paddock, the Whittingham and the new 17 Hands, will be open for food and drink during the session as will the second-level Veranda Café overlooking the paddock.
Del Mar partner Sentient Jet has signed on as the sponsor of the event, which will be known as the “Del Mar Paddock Sale, Presented by Sentient Jet.”
Many of the sale horses will be eligible immediately for advantages under the track’s “Ship and Win” program, which was a big hit when initially tried last summer. The program provides for out-of-state runners that are brought to Del Mar to earn a check for $1,000 for their first local start, then be eligible for an extra bonus of 25% on top of whatever they win in purse monies in that start.
The July 22 paddock sale will be open to all interested parties, newcomers and experienced owners alike. Those considering first-time ownership of a horse, either individually or with partners, should contact the Thoroughbred Owners of California (toconline.com) and/or research ownership through The Jockey Club’s new website for prospective owners -- https://www.ownerview.com.
There will also be a special seminar for prospective owners on-track the morning of the sale.
Anyone interested in selling out-of-state horses in the event should contact Barretts’ Kim Lloyd by phone (909) 629-3099 or e-mail Lloyd@barretts.com.
Del Mar’s 37-day meeting starts July 18 and runs through Sept. 5.