Hoping to build on its March sale, which saw an increase in average of 11.1% over 2010, Barretts Equine Limited has consigned 123 to its May sale of 2-year-olds. That number includes 13 juveniles and two older horses in a supplemental catalog. For the first time, the May 16 sale will be held in the evening, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Several leading sires will be represented, some with Triple Crown connections. Leroidesanimaux, the sire of 2011 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner Animal Kingdom ; Distorted Humor , the sire of 2003 Kentucky Derby winner Funny Cide; and Empire Maker, winner of the 2003 Belmont Stakes (gr. I), are represented by one in the catalog. Other sires with horses slated for sale include Speightstown , Medaglia d'Oro , Stormy Atlantic , and Forest Wildcat.
Hard Spun , who finished second to Street Sense in the 2007 Kentucky Derby, has a member of his first crop in the catalog. Consigned by Ciaran Dunne’s Wavertree Stables Inc., the colt, hip No. 55, is out of stakes winner Sweet Minister, by The Prime Minister. Sweet Minister has already produced Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) winner Sinister Minister. The Hard Spun colt breezed a quarter-mile in :21 2/5 at the May 16 under-tack preview, co-fastest time at the distance.
Stephens Thoroughbreds, as agent for Vision Racing and Sales LLC, will offer a son of Medaglia d’Oro—Win for Juno, by St. Jovite, as hip No. 68. A half-brother to grade II winner Sweet Win, the colt breezed a furlong in :10 1/5 at the preview.
The Stephens group also includes hip No. 29, Witticism, a daughter of Distorted Humor out of grade I winner Pampered Princess, and hip No. 77, a daughter of Speightstown—Bridled, by Unbridled. The Speightstown filly previewed an eighth in :10, the fastest time at the distance. Only one other went in :10, a son of Congrats—White Ruffle, by Vigors. Callaway Thoroughbreds has consigned the colt, hip No. 67.
Harlan's Holiday is the sire of hip No. 63 from the Sam Hendricks consignment. Named Cosmopolitan, the filly is a half sister to grade III winners California Flag and Cambiocorsa. California Flag also won the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.
The May sale is scheduled between the Kentucky Derby and Preakness (gr. I).
“That has been a good time for us,” said Kim Lloyd, Barretts vice president of sales. “It also gives additional time for the horses.”
Three of the 2-year-olds have already made their racing debut. Compass Rock, hip No. 32, and Joyzey Billy, hip No. 111, have won, while Miss Fitzy, hip No. 38, has finished second. Red Rock Training Stables as agent consigned Compass Rock; Havens Bloodstock Agency Inc. as agent consigned Joyzey Billy; and Callaway has consigned Miss Fitzy.
The May sale has produced several runners in recent years, including 2011 Rebel Stakes (gr. II) and San Vicente Stakes (gr. II) winner The Factor, 2011 Sunland Park Derby (gr. III) winner and Kentucky Derby starter Twice the Appeal, and 2010 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (gr. I) winner Dakota Phone.
The sale will be held at the Hinds Pavilion at Fairplex Park May 16, following a beer tasting from 5-6 p.m. That morning, beginning at 10:30 a.m., Barretts will host a seminar called “How to Purchase a Two-Year-Old in Training, moderated by Lloyd, auctioneer Ryan Mahan, and bloodstock agent Tim McMurry.