Deirdre Biles

Keeneland Thoroughbred Sale Suffers More Setbacks

November 06, 2008

The marketplace continued to take a pounding from negative economic forces outside the Thoroughbred industry during the third day of the Keeneland November breeding stock sale in Lexington. Compared to 2007, the Nov. 5 session was down 42.1% in Read More

Thoroughbred Broodmare Sells for Record Price

November 03, 2008

Even though we're in the midst of a global financial crisis, a special horse can still bring a jaw-dropping amount.

Better Than Honour, the dam of back-to-back Belmont Stakes winners Jazil and Rags to Riches, set a world Thoroughbred auctio Read More

Keeneland Thoroughbred Sale Faces Economic Hurdles

November 02, 2008

Consignors are steeling themselves and their clients for a significant downturn in the market at Keeneland's breeding stock sale, which starts Nov. 3 in Lexington and runs for 15 days. But they also are hoping that the drop in prices will bring Read More

Unwanted Thoroughbreds: A Challenge for Sellers

November 02, 2008

With the economy struggling and the buy-back/no bid rates at Thoroughbred auctions rising, the issue of unwanted horses is a growing concern. Antony Beck, president of Gainesway Farm in Lexington, decided to try to do something about it, by Read More

Additional Steroid Testing for Sale Horses at Keeneland

September 08, 2008

Keeneland officials plan to expand their testing program for exogenous anabolic steroids in sale horses to include the April select juvenile auction. That decision came after Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear signed emergency regulations Sept. 5 that Read More

Chelokee's Surgery Goes 'Very Well'

May 06, 2008

Chelokee, who dislocated his right front ankle May 2 at Churchill Downs, underwent surgery that "went very well" May 5 at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, according to Larry Bramlage, DVM, Dipl. ACVS. He added that "everything had Read More

Chelokee Given '50-50 Chance' to Survive

May 03, 2008

Chelokee, who suffered a dislocated right front ankle during the running of the May 2 Alysheba Stakes (gr. III) at Churchill Downs, has “at least a 50-50 chance" of survival, according to prominent equine surgeon Larry Bramlage. The dark bay or Read More

Record-Priced Thoroughbred Retired to Stud

February 12, 2008

The Green Monkey, whose $16-million price was the most ever for a Thoroughbred sold at public auction, has been retired from racing. The 4-year-old son of Forestry will enter stud next year at Randy Hartley and Dean De Renzo’s Hartley/De Renzo Read More

Barbaro's Legacy Lives On at UPenn

January 29, 2008

(Edited University of Pennsylvania press release)

The legacy of Barbaro, the 2006 Kentucky Derby winner, lives on at the University of Pennsylvania's veterinary school and hospital where he spent his final days.

"At Penn Read More

Richardson Describes the Fight to Save Barbaro to Vets at AAEP

December 02, 2007

Dean Richardson, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, opened the American Association Equine Practitioners Convention in Orlando, Fla., Saturday with an emotional, touching, and sometimes humorous talk about the more than eight month fight to save Barbaro's life Read More

Thoroughbred Broodmare Sells for World Record Price at Keeneland

November 06, 2007

English Thoroughbred champion Playful Act shattered the world record for a broodmare or broodmare prospect sold at public auction when her price soared to $10.5 million Nov. 5 on the opening day of the Keeneland breeding stock sale in Lexington. Read More

Keeneland September Sale Ends With Second-Highest Gross and Median Ever

September 26, 2007

When the Keeneland September yearling auction ended Sept. 25 in Lexington after 15 grueling sessions, consignor Tommy Eastham of Legacy Bloodstock was eager for more.

"I'm not ready to go home," he said. "As long as the horses are selling good Read More

Keeneland Buyers, Consignors Impressed With September Sale Market

September 24, 2007

As the Keeneland September yearling sale approached the end of its long run in Lexington, the comments from consignors and buyers were nearly all positive. Here's what they had to say:

Jody Huckabay, Elm Tree Farm: "If you bring a nice horse Read More

Keeneland November Sale Will Have Record Numbers

September 09, 2007

While getting ready for the massive September yearling sale that starts Sept. 10 in Lexington, Keeneland officials also were working hard to put the finishing touches on the November breeding stock auction catalog. And it will be a big Read More

Massage Gets Derby Contender Hard Spun Ready to Run

May 03, 2007

Hard Spun's final preparations for the Kentucky Derby have included a sizzling five-furlong work and the usual early morning gallops. You've probably read about all those moves online and in the newspapers. But there's one step in the process yo Read More

Lame Ketchikan Could Be Off Triple Crown Trail

April 11, 2007

Louisiana Derby runner-up Ketchikan is lame in his left front foot, which could knock him off the Triple Crown trail. The colt's owner, B. Wayne Hughes, said the 3-year-old son of Mr. Greeley was sent to Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Read More

Hold That Tiger Colt Collapses and Dies During Barretts Workout

March 14, 2007

A colt by Hold That Tiger collapsed and died while working an eighth of a mile Monday at Fairplex Park in Southern California during the first under tack show for the Barretts March select sale of 2-year-olds in training. An autopsy will be Read More

Storm Cat Colt Dies During Calder Workout Show

February 26, 2007

A Storm Cat colt that sold for $900,000 as a yearling collapsed and died Sunday after working an eighth of a mile at Calder Race Course during the first under tack show for the Fasig-Tipton Florida select sale of 2-year-olds in training. The Read More

Northern Baby Euthanatized at Stone Farm

February 25, 2007

Northern Baby, who sired no fewer than 47 stakes winners, was euthanatized on Wednesday at Arthur B. Hancock III's Stone Farm near Paris, Ky. The 31-year-old son of Northern Dancer stood his last breeding season in 2000. Hancock announced in Read More

Largest Ever Keeneland January Sale Opens Monday

January 07, 2007

Keeneland's January horses of all ages sale, which begins Monday (Jan. 8) in Lexington, will be bigger than ever before. The auction's total of 2,933 lots exceeds by 425 the former January record of 2,508, set last year.

"The Read More

Lukas Offers Keys to Success During AAEP Convention Keynote Speech

December 07, 2006

Thoroughbred trainer D. Wayne Lukas received a standing ovation Sunday (Dec. 3) following his keynote speech that opened the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) convention in San Antonio, Texas.

The Hall of Fame trainer Read More

Pine Island Buried Monday at Claiborne Farm

November 07, 2006

Pine Island, who was euthanatized after breaking down in the Nov. 4 Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Distaff at Churchill Downs, was buried at the Hancock family's Claiborne Farm near Paris, Ky., Monday at 1 p.m. (EST). Her grave is located next t Read More

Summit Issues Recommendations to Improve Racehorse Safety

October 18, 2006

The Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit ended Tuesday (Oct. 17) in Lexington, Ky., after more than 40 participants worked together to draft action plans in six areas to improve conditions in the Thoroughbred industry. The six areas were Read More

Welfare Summit Opens With Scientific Data, Frank Discussions

October 17, 2006

The public session that opened the Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit Monday morning in Lexington, Ky., didn't provide just food for thought. The speakers and panelists served up a huge banquet of data, ideas, anecdotes, and opinions Read More

Gretchen Jackson: It's Still Day to Day, But Barbaro 'Starting to Blossom'

September 11, 2006

Roy and Gretchen Jackson were at Keeneland Sunday looking at September sale yearlings. But their Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro wasn't far from their minds.

Gretchen Jackson talked about the ups and downs with Barbaro, who continues to Read More