Coming off three consecutive 2-year-old auctions with increases in average, Barretts Equine Limited will offer a catalog of 116, plus eight supplemental entries for its May 14 2-year-old sale in Pomona, Calif. Though its March sale typically has the higher-priced offerings, the May sale has had its share of successful graduates, including multiple grade I winner The Factor .
This year the March sale moved to an earlier position on the national juvenile sale calendar, kicking off the season March 5, two days after the Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I). The May sale occurs toward the end of the juvenile sale season, giving consignors a chance to offer horses that might need a bit more time. The catalog also includes several that have already gone through an auction ring in 2012 and four who have made their racing debuts.
The Barretts May 2-year-old sale is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. PDT at the Hinds Pavilion at Fairplex Park in Pomona, Calif.
Consignors come from nearby and across the country. California bloodstock agent Andy Havens has brought a large contingent through his Havens Bloodstock Agency, and Sam Hendricks, Mary Knight, and McCarthy Bloodstock are also familiar local names among the sellers. Florida consignors include Ciaran Dunne’s Wavertree Stables Inc. and Becky Thomas’ Sequel Bloodstock.
Thomas’ consignment includes Raven’s Honor, hip #14. The son of Raven’s Pass—Heart of Honor, by Honour and Glory, comes from the family of champion sprinter Eillo. Mistaken Identity, hip #59, a son of Medaglia d'Oro —St Lucinda, by St Jovite, is also part of the Thomas consignment. He is a half brother to two stakes winners. Whatchalookinat, hip #95, is by Horse Greeley—Boom Boom Bertie, by Thunder Gulch. He breezed the co-fastest quarter-mile in :21 2/5 at the May 11 under-tack preview at the Fairplex Park racetrack.
“Because it so far away and it’s very expensive to come out here, I only bring horses that I think are very nice horses in May,” said Thomas. “I love this surface at Fairplex. In my opinion, it’s the best surface that we sell on.”
Thomas is enthusiastic about three horses she has been involved with who are possibles for the May 19 Preakness Stakes (gr. I): Teeth of the Dog, Pretension, and Zetterholm.
Wavertree has also brought several from Florida. Last year, Dunne sold the May sale topper to Dennis O’Neill, whose 2011 purchases nationwide included I'll Have Another out of a Florida sale for $35,000. Less than a week after I’ll Have Another won the Kentucky Derby (gr. I), O’Neill was back at the Barretts sale preview, scoping out more hopefuls.
Dunne’s group includes three of the fastest four who breezed a furlong. Hip #122, a daughter of Sky Mesa —Bare Dancer, by Cherokee Run, went the quickest, in :09 4/5. Two Wavertree colts breezed in :10, hip #9 by Master Command—Grinch, by Salt Lake, and hip #51 by Lion Heart—Seattle Qui, by Seattle Slew. The latter is a half brother to stakes winner Classical Slew.
One other colt, hip #60, breezed in :10. From the Havens consignment, the youngster is by Marino Marini —Storybook Fair, by Avenue of Flags, and a half brother to stakes winner Shining Nuggets. Havens’ group also includes hip #71, a son of Holy Bull—Tradition of Time, by Half Term. He is a half brother to stakes-placed Timely Pursuit and So Much Trouble.
Other major sires with offspring in the May catalog include Candy Ride , City Zip , More Than Ready , Scat Daddy , Songandaprayer , Tale of the Cat , and Unbridled's Song.
The full catalog can be viewed at www.barretts.com/Catalog/catmay2012/CATALOG.htm.
