By Shelby O’Neill
The Fasig-Tipton Texas 2-year-olds in training sale April 5 arrives one week after a hearing in the Texas Legislature on a gaming bill that would legalize video lottery terminals (VLTs) at the state’s horse and greyhound tracks.
As Texas horsemen eagerly watch to see how the legislative session plays out, the evidence of the current situation is definitely apparent in the Texas sale catalog. Of the 167 juveniles consigned to the sale, 70 are Louisiana-breds and only 18 were bred in the Lone Star State, a striking reversal from a decade earlier when the majority of horses that passed through the ring at the Fasig-Tipton Texas sales were, in fact, Texas-breds.
“Louisiana-breds seem to be dominating the sale now with their numbers,” said Tim Boyce, director of sales for Fasig-Tipton Texas. “Texas is on the wane as far as numbers go, but they may be the real nuggets of gold in this sale. Breed programs are great to fall back on, but I don’t believe it’s a reason to buy a horse. You buy a horse because they look like an athlete. Texas-breds have been taken all over the country and are winning. They can run anywhere.”
All of the consignees will have the opportunity to demonstrate their athleticism during the under-tack show April 3, starting at 10 a.m. at Lone Star Park near Dallas. The sale begins at the same time two days later, also on the grounds of Lone Star. And although the size of the book is smaller, Boyce said that buyers will not be disappointed by the selection.
“Obviously, it’s trimmed down quite a bit, but I like to think it’s trim and fit,” he said. “I think it has the same amount of quality, and I’m sure no one’s short list will be any shorter. We have some outstanding pedigrees.”
The obvious standout has been catalogued as Hip No. 89, a daughter of Distorted Humor out of multiple graded stakes winner Smokey Glacken.
Other highlights include juveniles sired by Tapit , Posse, Grand Slam, Tiznow , and Valid Expectations.