I know it’s Sunday, and time for the regular Jog-Up column (and I know I promised to de-mystify the gobbledegook known as FEI qualifications), but the month of September is a busy one for me. Not only are the World Games less than two weeks away (!!), but UK football is in season (and I have tickets, my most prized wedding gift), and there’s this little thing that happens in Lexington, KY every fall. Over 4,700 yearlings will pass through the Keeneland sales ring, hoping to bring their owners and consignors a profit to keep them running another year.
The actual sale begins with Book 1, selling Sunday and Monday nights at 7pm. View live video here. These 200 horses are (hopefully) the best of the best, with blueblood pedigrees and flawlesss conformation. I’ve handled about 27 of them over the last few days, and the ones I’ve seen are simply fabulous. In this weak market, though, it will take a special horse to top the 7-figure mark. There are some good ones out there, but will the buyers take a big risk on them?
The rest of the sale begins at 10am each day. I wish I started at 10am…instead, I’m in the barns at 5am: walking, mucking, filling water buckets, and grooming. The rest of the day is spent walking horses, showing them to potential buyers, and trying not to get kicked, bitten, struck, or otherwise injured by excitable baby Thoroughbreds. So far, so good.
One of the best things about working sales is meeting some fantastic horsemen and women. I’ve worked alongside some real “horse whisperers,” with a chain shank and chifney instead of carrot sticks or roundpens. I’ve met hall of fame trainers, multi-millionaire owners, and so many people who honestly love the animals and the business. It’s a tough job, not for everyone, but you can learn a lot if you’re willing to work for it.
I promise to report more, and Jog-Up will resume as soon as possible. Hope you enjoyed the AECs!
